The Dalefield resident woke to water lapping against a garage and accommodation unit on her land yesterday morning following heavy rainfall throughout Sunday.
A large pond has formed at the back of the unit - which is just a few metres from the main house - and other deep streams are now flowing through the front garden.
With more rain expected in Queenstown this week, Ms Hughes is worried floodwaters will gut the inside of the rental unit. Furthermore, her septic tank is so full, no-one can take a shower.
''This is rental accommodation, and I rely on that income to get by.
''I will be in trouble if I don't have that income,'' Ms Hughes said.
She left a message for the council and no-one phoned her back, while firefighters inspected the problem, but believed she needed to get a contractor involved.
It has never flooded like this before, despite many heavy rain events in the five years Ms Hughes has lived at the property.
Ms Hughes said development at a neighbouring block - which is on a hill to the right of her property - has led to a huge amount of earthworks being done in the last few months, resulting in grass and other vegetation, which used to soak up rainfall, being cleared.
''Now when it rains, it's like a river coming all the way down to create a pond at the bottom of my property,'' she said.
Ms Hughes feels strongly that if council approves a development, then it is responsible for ensuring drainage is working in the area and nearby properties do not flood as a result of construction.
''We have inherited an issue that doesn't belong to my land.''
Fire and Emergency NZ shift manager Andrew Norris said firefighters are limited in what they can do because while they have pumps, they do not have heavy machinery to move water, meaning they need somewhere to pump the water to.
''If there is any positive action we can take, we will do so. In the interim, it is referred to the local council, who go out and inspect the drains to make sure it's draining naturally, the way it should be,'' Mr Norris said.
The council was approached for comment, but could not provide a response by deadline, due to the tight two-hour timeframe.
