Brecon St reopens, Queenstown open
Brecon Street in Queenstown has reopened to traffic and pedestrians.
Yesterday, the street was awash with logs, mud and debris after a month's worth of rain in 24 hours caused a landslip on Bob's Peak, beneath Skyline.
But the street, along with Isle Street, Robins Road, Duke Street, Shotover Street, Camp Street, Reavers Lane and Hamilton Road, has now been cleared, cleaned and deemed safe, and reopened.
"As part of the ongoing emergency response management, Queenstown Cemetery remains cordoned for safety reasons," a Queenstown Lakes District Council spokesperson says.
"We ask that members of the public do not enter the cemetery."
The debris in Queenstown Cemetery yesterday
And seen from a distance, showing the route of the debris
Regional Tourism Organisation Destination Queenstown has reassured visitors that Queenstown is open, accessible and ready to welcome school holiday visitors following the adverse weather.
Last year over the spring school holiday period the Queenstown region hosted over 400,000 visitor days and the region is looking forward to welcoming a similar number this year, with Queenstown being one of New Zealand’s most popular spots this school holidays.
Queenstown International Airport is expecting to welcome over 40,000 international and domestic arrivals in the next two weeks and two of the region’s ski areas have benefited from the recent weather with The Remarkables Ski Area receiving 30cm of snow and Cardrona Ski Area receiving 46cm – a great top up for spring skiing.
The sun is out today and the Remarks was packed this morning, with skiers and snowboarders enjoying off-piste powder conditions.
Huge queue at The Remarks this morning for the first chairlift up, as everyone got up early to ski some fresh tracks in 40cms of powder
And this was the view from the top this morning on a bluebird day
Queenstown Mayor, Glyn Lewers, said he is looking forward to welcoming holidaymakers into Queenstown.
"Guests to our town can be confident they will have a true Queenstown experience, despite the recent bump in the road."
Mayor Lewers and Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty will provide an update on the emergency response and also the Cryptosporidium outbreak this afternoon.
Dr Emma Sherwood, Southern Medical Officer of Health, says as of 10am today, there are 29 confirmed cases of cryptosporidium (crypto). This is an increase of six in the past 24 hours.
"A source of infection has yet to be identified, and investigations are ongoing," she says.
Two large water tankers have been at Athol Street Car Park, Queenstown, since 3pm yesterday to help local businesses affected by the boil water notice.
There were also two tankers at the Events Centre in the evening, and a water bottle refill station at Earnslaw Park, Queenstown, primarily for workers.
The Business Chamber of Commerce is advising that those accessing the water will need to bring their own vessels to fill. There are taps on the side or end of the tanker. The tankers stations are primarily for businesses who struggle to boil enough water for their daily needs due to the volume or their specific circumstances.
The tankers will be maintained and refilled by SJ Allen.
The water bottle refill station will be maintained and refilled by Council staff.
