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Protection for plants page 2
Putting verse into the universe page 4
New track to open Mountain bikers and walkers have been enjoying the new Newcastle Track, which goes down the true left of the Clutha from Albert Town to the Red Bridge, for a week or two now, but it’s not being officially opened until next Saturday (December 8). See story page 3. PHOTO: wanaka.tv
There’s a flood coming... Caroline Harker
Volunteer recognition page 5
Hobbit fever hits Wanaka page 9
rental listings
sunclassifieds
page 15
The only question regarding the next time the Wanaka CBD is flooded is ‘when’ according to many local retailers. Not ‘if’, but ‘when’. Last week more than 60 flood-prone businesses were visited by QLDC emergency management officer Jon Mitchell and Otago Regional Council hazard analyst Kirsty Morris. “Climate change research says we should expect more significant flood events,” Jon said. “We are already seeing that trend occurring.” Floodwaters lapped over Ardmore Street three times in the 1990s and the chance of the same happening in the next decade is 40 percent. The 1999 flood was the second biggest in Wanaka’s recorded history, with the worst flood occurring in 1878. The town flooded only once in the 100 years following the 1878 flood, but in the last 40 years it has flooded four times. “It’ll definitely happen again and there’s nothing we can do about it,” Jim & Libby’s co-owner Jim McRae said. “I’m not worried. We’ve got
insurance now.” Another business owner, Hideo Irie who has Green Grove Gifts and Crafts on the corner of Ardmore and Helwick streets, had insurance in 1999, but doesn’t now. “The insurance company wouldn’t cover us after 1999,” he said. “I did find one which would, but the excess was going to be $25,000. That was about the cost of what we lost last time - so it
stations will be set up in the CBD. It states: “Although council contractors and volunteers will assist with sandbagging on a priority basis, retailers are encouraged to take the initiative to sandbag their own premises.” John McTaggert who owns Black Peak Gelato is not taking any chances. He has 1000 sandbags on pallets at home, ready for a flood. “I haven’t got
It’ll definitely happen again and there’s nothing we can do about it. means nothing. I try to believe1999 was a one-in-100-years flood and there won’t be another one in my lifetime.” Hairdresser Alice Townsend has taken insurance for flooding. “That tripled our premiums,” she said. “But I am worried about a flood. Big time,” Alice has two shops on the waterfront part of Ardmore Street. “We put our power points half way up the wall in case of floods,” she said. Brochures handed out by the council said in the event of flooding sandbagging
any insurance,” he said. “I can’t afford it. The visit from the council people was useful. They asked how many people we would need to evacuate and stuff like that. But we’ll wait and see what actually happens.” Jon Mitchell said the most important thing businesses can do is to be prepared. Ground floor businesses should use tiles and hard walls rather than carpet and gibboard to ensure they can withstand water going through them. “They also need plans on how they can
get their stock out quickly,” he said. “Most Wanaka businesses are already well prepared.” He said the council now has an extensive plan in place and has learnt a lot of lessons from earlier floods. These include the ability to close down sewerage systems and good communication systems with the ORC and the Wanaka Chamber of Commerce, so businesses get as much warning as possible regarding potential floods. Paper Plus manager and Chamber of Commerce member Chris Lumsden said he is glad flood planning is better than it was in 1999. “We had no warning of that flood,” he said. “I was here until three in the morning sandbagging. The water came in under the floor and it stayed in the shop for a week. The sun came out and it turned into a steam bath. Heaps of books were ruined.” Chris said after the 1999 flood he joined the Wanaka Chamber of Commerce and got involved in making a flood protection plan. “I hope the council is going to do a good job this time,” he said. “I haven’t read their brochures yet.”