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Large slips on surrounding hillsides loom over central Queenstown after a state of emergency was declared on Friday morning.
Queenstown Lakes District mayor Glyn Lewers made the declaration at 6.30am on Friday after heavy rain overnight brought down slips and more than 100 people were evacuated … View moreLarge slips on surrounding hillsides loom over central Queenstown after a state of emergency was declared on Friday morning.
Queenstown Lakes District mayor Glyn Lewers made the declaration at 6.30am on Friday after heavy rain overnight brought down slips and more than 100 people were evacuated from their homes.
He expected the state of emergency would last for seven days. It gave police the power to call people off the roads, he said.
Schools, roads and ski fields were closed while much of the town centre was covered in mud and debris that had poured down from forestry work on Bob’s Peak, under the Skyline gondola.
Niwa said Queenstown recorded 87mm of rain in 24 hours, its wettest day in 24 years.
It has been a horror week for business in the town, which learnt a day earlier they could be under a boil water notice for months due to a cryptosporidium outbreak, with 23 confirmed cases as of Friday morning.
Surveying the damage in central Queenstown on Friday, Southland MP Joseph Mooney said there was a bit of work ahead of the community to fix all the issues.
“We're a resilient bunch, we will get through this,” he said.
In addition to the Bob’s Peak landslide, there were slips at the top of Reavers Lane, and at Wilson’s Bay.
Skyline chief executive Geoff McDonald said the slip that ran down Bob’s Peak and carried mud and forestry debris into central Queenstown started on a forestry access road.
The rain pooled on the top forestry track last night and when it let go it created a water fall and landslide that carried logs stacked on the access road for removal, down towards town.
The majority of the material that ran down the hillside was mud and forestry debris carried by the logs.
”It’s not slash per-se,” he said.
The company had been clearing wilding pines on the hillside for about two years to create a safety barrier around the gondola and provide a fire break on the hillside that sits in Queenstown’s Red Zone – a high risk area for wildfires.
The most serious risk considered when the project was planned was the fire risk, he said.
“I don’t think anyone would have imagined we would have faced a weather event like this.”
All the gondola infrastructure had been assessed and unaffected by the storm and slip.
He hoped they would reopen for business on Saturday, but that depended on the council clearing and opening Brecon St.
Johnny Stevenson, of Coronet Property Management, was in Queenstown from 4am assessing the effects on his company’s properties.
“The town looked like 180 cows had been wintering on the chou. It was just sticks and mud,” he said.
The worst damage was the Mountaineer Building where water had entered the Quicksilver, Kathmandu and Night and Day stores.
Some stock was damaged, but all stores were open by about 11am, he said.
It was the second time the building had been hit by floodwaters since the town centre redesign had happened and grates had become blocked.
“I really think it’s because they did away with the curb and channel,” he said.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council has commissioned reports into the redesign and flooding but has refused to release them to Stuff.
The cuncil released a statement at 6.15pm on Friday saying officials had been working closely with geotechnical engineers to determine a safe approach to clearing debris on Upper Brecon St.
“The situation has evolved over the course of the day. The team is continuing to evaluate the weather forecast and expert advice to recommend an appropriate approach to allowing affected businesses at the top of Brecon St to reopen safely.
“The current cordon at the intersection of Brecon and Isle streets will remain in place overnight for safety reasons.”
Emergency operations centre controller and community services general manager Ken Bailey acknowledged many would be concerned about potential damage to their loved ones’ graves in Queenstown Cemetery.
“Parts of the cemetery have been affected by slips caused by heavy rain since yesterday. There is currently no public access for safety reasons while inspections continue. The emergency management and QLDC Parks and Reserves teams are liaising closely with religious groups and iwi,” he said.
“We appreciate the distress this is likely to be causing to those friends and family members affected and we will provide further updates to the community as soon as we possibly can.”
The focus on Saturday would be to clear debris from one side of Brecon St (adjacent to Kingpin and neighbouring businesses) to provide safe pedestrian access, he said.
In the case of further heavy rain, the cordon at the Isle/Brecon street intersection would be reinstated.
In relation to flooding at the Reavers Ln area, good progress had been made to divert water to a manhole, but further work was required to clear a blocked culvert at the base of the catchment, Bailey said.
Council staff contacted remaining affected properties directly. Access to all remaining properties had been reinstated.
Nearby Coronet Peak closed for the season after two days of wet weather hammering the snowpack.
However, The Remarkables and Cardrona expected to remain open during the school holidays after closures on Friday. Fresh snow landed on Friday afternoon.
Several roads were closed on the outskirts of Queenstown including the Glenorchy Rd, between Fernhill and Sunshine Bay.
Several schools and kindergartens closed on Friday – the last day of the school term – including Wakatipu High School.
Principal Oded Nathan said the school closed due to the state of emergency, the limited amount of drinkable water and the request to limit travel.
A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson said they received 91 weather-related calls from Thursday to 9am Friday across the lower South Island up to Queenstown.
The Alexandra Blossom Festival committee cancelled the Mardi Gras and Round the Clock Race planned for Friday due to the weather, but the Grand Parade and Saturday in the Park would still take place on Saturday.
Roads around Wānaka, Cromwell and Alexandra were closed for most of the day due to floodwaters, while snow and ice closed Danseys Pass Rd and affected much of the Maniototo area.
Meanwhile, conserve water notices had been issued for Omakau and Naseby in Central Otago.
When Queenstown Lakes District Council warned residents to boil water on Monday, there had been eight confirmed cases of cryptosporidium in the area. The next day that had almost doubled to 15.
There is no confirmed link to the water supply, but it cannot be ruled out as the source, the local … View moreWhen Queenstown Lakes District Council warned residents to boil water on Monday, there had been eight confirmed cases of cryptosporidium in the area. The next day that had almost doubled to 15.
There is no confirmed link to the water supply, but it cannot be ruled out as the source, the local council says, so we got the low down from a parasite expert on what exactly the gastro bug is, and what could be in store if you’ve accidently been guzzling infected water.
Is cryptosporidium really that bad?
It’s definitely a grim disease, says Otago University parasitologist Bruce Russell. It’s a gut parasite that can affect animals and humans and while it’s resistant to chlorine, it can be quashed by boiling water.
It’s passed on in the faeces of infected animals and humans, and people become infected, often through water contaminated by infected animal or human faeces.
Cryptosporidium cases tend to spike at the beginning of lambing season, largely from people handling the animals and winding up with, “sheep poo” all over you.
In fact, he says, a lot of farmers get the disease from direct contact with animals. Cases occur year-round in New Zealand, but particularly in the spring. While Russell says cryptosporidium is something that “hangs about in New Zealand all the time”, outbreaks, like what is happening in Queenstown at the moment, are “a bit different”.
How could it have got in the water supply?
If it is coming through the water supply it’s likely because, “a large quantity of infected poop is being washed into the waterways and the dam reservoir". “It’s a tough parasite to deal with”.
I accidently drank water from the tap, should I freak out?
Unfortunately, says Russell, there’s not a lot you can do, now but wait, boil water from now on and hope you don’t get sick.
If I do get the bug, just how bad will it get?
The good news is, if you’re healthy and fit it’s often not, “that bad of a disease”, but you may still feel pretty rough. It depends on the person, too. Russell has also had a few colleagues come down with it before who, “looked pretty wasted by it”.
What about my kids?
Unfortunately the population to “watch out for” are kids aged 1-4, who dehydrate quickly with diarrhoea. Russell says people should definitely seek medical attention for the kids if they develop symptoms. The other high risk population are immuno-compromised people, which this type of disease can “wreak havoc” on.
Just how long does the ‘grim’ disease last?
You’re probably going to be feeling pretty rough for about a week.
Is there a cure or vaccine?
There are no drugs or vaccines for cryptosporidium. Being a parasite, “these things are difficult to get drugs and vaccines for,” he says.
I drank water yesterday. How long until I know I’m safe?
This can depend on the person, says Russell, but most people will be waiting for about five days before they know if they’re sick.
OK, so it’s a gastro bug, what exactly are we talking about here?
After a few days people will, “start to feel a bit uncomfortable in the stomach”. Early symptoms include cramps, then people will start to feel a bit uncomfortable in the stomach. Cramps and fever are also early sign. Most cases will have “watery diarrhoea” and severe cases can also include vomiting.
How can I make myself feel better?
Russell says if you do get sick, it’s important to keep hydrated and take electrolytes. And “stay near the toilet”. Severe cases may need a drip to replace fluids.
Do I have to go to hospital?
If you come down with cryptosporidium, Russell says you should definitely see your GP or health provider.
“It’s a notifiable disease in New Zealand, so it’s important for our community that we know what’s going on.
“People that seek medical attention are real heroes, risking the trip to the hospital or GP to get treated,” he says.
“It can be a tough disease. Anyone who’s had it knows, one minute you might need to make a run for it.”
From tomorrow, 23 September, we will be offering 50% off adoption fees on canines in all of our centres nationwide - but only until 1 October!
If you've been thinking about adopting a puppy or dog from SPCA, now is the perfect time. We have hundreds of beautiful BFFs-to-be in our care right… View moreFrom tomorrow, 23 September, we will be offering 50% off adoption fees on canines in all of our centres nationwide - but only until 1 October!
If you've been thinking about adopting a puppy or dog from SPCA, now is the perfect time. We have hundreds of beautiful BFFs-to-be in our care right now, all patiently waiting for their forever home.
Start scrolling through all the adoption profiles on our website today and find the perfect fit for your family. Get 100% of the love, for 50% of the fee!
Dear neighbours, we're looking forward to spring and summer, and strawberries! Well, right now particularly we are looking for strawberry recipes for the magazine. Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by September 17, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the November issue of… View moreDear neighbours, we're looking forward to spring and summer, and strawberries! Well, right now particularly we are looking for strawberry recipes for the magazine. Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by September 17, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the November issue of NZ Gardener.
We can all generally agree that noise from loud music or parties in the early hours of Sunday is a no-no. But when is it okay to fire up the power tools, leaf blower or lawn mower on a Sunday morning?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say… View moreWe can all generally agree that noise from loud music or parties in the early hours of Sunday is a no-no. But when is it okay to fire up the power tools, leaf blower or lawn mower on a Sunday morning?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
Tidying up the house? Don't forget to tidy up your bills too!
Is your broadband contract or power contract expiring soon? Now's the perfect time to COMPARE and SWITCH your broadband and power plans for a fresh start. Save money this Spring!
As Daylight Savings starts this Sunday, … View moreTidying up the house? Don't forget to tidy up your bills too!
Is your broadband contract or power contract expiring soon? Now's the perfect time to COMPARE and SWITCH your broadband and power plans for a fresh start. Save money this Spring!
As Daylight Savings starts this Sunday, remember to set your clocks before bedtime.
We’re so excited to let you know that the NZ House & Garden Tours are back for another sell-out summer. ☀️
In 2024, we're visiting Queenstown (16 & 17 February), Christchurch (23 & 24 February), Whanganui (15 & 16 March) and Tauranga (22 & 23 March).
Whether … View moreWe’re so excited to let you know that the NZ House & Garden Tours are back for another sell-out summer. ☀️
In 2024, we're visiting Queenstown (16 & 17 February), Christchurch (23 & 24 February), Whanganui (15 & 16 March) and Tauranga (22 & 23 March).
Whether you’re a design enthusiast or just want to take a peek inside some of New Zealand's most beautiful homes, join us for a day of inspiration and fun. It’s the perfect excuse for you to gather a group of friends and make a day ... or weekend of it. These tours proudly support Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.
🚨 Tickets are on sale now! Purchase your tickets here.
Try our online heart-health tool 'My Heart Check' to find out your estimated heart age compared to your actual age. The result may surprise you!
Click the link to find out more.
Costs are on the rise! Who's the hero doing the hard yards to keep things running in your household?
NZ Compare wants to pay $350 towards their Broadband and Power bill! Nominate NOW! Entry ends 28 Sep 2023.
Need more ways to save money? Comparing your power and broadband bills is one … View moreCosts are on the rise! Who's the hero doing the hard yards to keep things running in your household?
NZ Compare wants to pay $350 towards their Broadband and Power bill! Nominate NOW! Entry ends 28 Sep 2023.
Need more ways to save money? Comparing your power and broadband bills is one way to see if you can save more or simply switch to something that better suits your needs. If you’re paying for it, make sure it works for you.
With the election just over a month away, kiwis are thinking about where to put their vote. For some, individual policies don't matter too much as they'll always vote the same. And for others, their political leanings have changed over time or with each election. Will your vote be vastly … View moreWith the election just over a month away, kiwis are thinking about where to put their vote. For some, individual policies don't matter too much as they'll always vote the same. And for others, their political leanings have changed over time or with each election. Will your vote be vastly different this year?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
Did you know over 4,000 New Zealand men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year? In fact one in eight will get it during their lifetime.
We're proud to be supporting Paint It Blue once again in 2023 - and we'd love our neighbours to be involved too.
Simply buy any blue … View moreDid you know over 4,000 New Zealand men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year? In fact one in eight will get it during their lifetime.
We're proud to be supporting Paint It Blue once again in 2023 - and we'd love our neighbours to be involved too.
Simply buy any blue Resene testpot 60mL between 8-21 September and Resene will donate $1 to The Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand! Visit your local Resene ColorShop to find your new favourite blues.
From Saturday, 23 September, we will be offering 50% adoption fees on canines in all of our Centres nationwide!
If you've been thinking about adopting a puppy or dog from SPCA, now is the perfect time. We have hundreds of beautiful BFFs-to-be in our care right now, all patiently waiting … View moreFrom Saturday, 23 September, we will be offering 50% adoption fees on canines in all of our Centres nationwide!
If you've been thinking about adopting a puppy or dog from SPCA, now is the perfect time. We have hundreds of beautiful BFFs-to-be in our care right now, all patiently waiting for their forever home.
Start scrolling through all the adoption profiles on our website today and find the perfect fit for your family. Get a friend for life this spring at www.spca.nz...
Kia Ora wonderful neighbours!
Have you noticed your broadband costs going up lately?
If you're a customer of one of the big providers Spark or One NZ, we'd love to hear how long have you been a loyal customer to them?
If you have family who have been feeling cold in their home through winter, help may be at hand to make their home warm, dry, and healthy.
They might be eligible for Warmer Kiwi Homes, a government grant offering 80% - 90% of the cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation, and up to 80% off an … View moreIf you have family who have been feeling cold in their home through winter, help may be at hand to make their home warm, dry, and healthy.
They might be eligible for Warmer Kiwi Homes, a government grant offering 80% - 90% of the cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation, and up to 80% off an energy-efficient heater, like a heat pump.
In August, the eligibility criteria were extended so over 50,000 more homes are eligible for insulation grants. It gets better - there are lots of community organisations offering extra funding to reduce the cost further.
Go to our website to check their eligibility, today.
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