Queenstown is still counting the cost of the flood mitigation measures put in place during this month's flood alert.
Queenstown waterfront businesses and the Queenstown Lakes District Council braced themselves for flooding as Lake Wakatipu breached flood warning levels. The highest level reached was 311.48m on May 1. Most businesses escaped any flooding but some areas of Beach St and Marine Pde had been affected.
The council supplied 70,000 tonnes of sand for sandbagging businesses and set up concrete wave breakers and debris booms. Most of the 35 businesses around the lakefront had cleared out stock and furniture and remained closed for up to three days until the water levels receded.
Skyline Enterprises erected a 1m scaffold barrier covered with plastic around its premises from Thomas' Hotel to Eichardts Hotel.
Chief executive Jeff Staniland said he did not have a total cost yet.
"It wasn't tested because it didn't flood, but we liked the idea of having a go. We contracted the labour and rented the scaffolding and took it down again. I'm estimating it cost about $10,000," he said.
The company also flooded the lower level of its O'Connells Pavilion building to offset the pressure of water underneath. Council spokeswoman Meaghan Miller said the cost of its flood mitigation measures was at present about $75,000.
"There are still some costs outstanding and some of the figures are based on estimates. It could be another two weeks before final costs are known," she said.
Insurance council chief executive Chris Ryan said there were "a few" claims resulting from the flood alert.
"We didn't do a survey but I believe there were some claims but not big claims or a large amount of them. It was minor enough for us not to collate any information," he said.
"It was a relief that it was a relatively minor event. A few properties were flooded but many do not have insurance cover for minor flooding at ground level," he said.
Many businesses could not get or could not afford the higher premiums as a result of the huge 1999 flood.
He thought this month's flood alert was handled well by the council and the community.
"It was very well handled. The council did not allow people to panic. It didn't stop tourists or visitors coming to town," he said.
