The clean-up is underway across Dunedin following yesterday’s wild windstorm, but with considerable damage across the city some repairs could take weeks.
DCC General Manager 3 Waters, Property and Urban Development David Ward says, “Our staff and contractors have been going the extra mile since yesterday’s storm struck, working to clear trees and other debris and reopen roads as soon as it is safe to do so.
“Our 3 Waters team has also been pulling out all the stops after widespread power outages affected pumping stations across the city. Together, everyone has been working tirelessly to keep Dunedin’s networks running and our communities safe.
“We’re getting on top of the initial response, and we expect more some of the clean-ups to be completed by early next week, but some sites present greater challenges and will take longer.
“It’s too soon to say what the costs will be, but I want to thank the public for their patience and understanding during the clean-up and our staff and contractors for their efforts in extremely challenging conditions.”
Five crews have been operating around the city, working to clear trees and other debris, fix damaged signs, and reopen roads. A full list of road closures is available here.
The elm trees in Anzac Ave, which were toppled by Thursday’s ferocious gust, will be removed in due course, but the priority for now is on ensuring public safety by removing damaged trees and tree limbs.
“Our crews are flat out dealing with immediate risks to public safety, including hanging tree branches and compromised trees, so the Anzac Avenue trees are a secondary priority.
“In the meantime, we ask members of the public not to climb on them and not to stop on the road to take photos. Be safe and let us get on with the work.”
Elsewhere, the Green Island landfill and Dunedin Botanic Garden have reopened, and kerbside collections also resumed today. Red-lidded waste bins not collected yesterday are being emptied today, and recycling bins not collected yesterday will be emptied at the next fortnightly collection service.
Power outages are continuing to affect the water treatment plant in West Taieri, so residents there are being encouraged to continue to minimise their water consumption in the meantime. Power has been restored to the Outram water treatment plant, so residents there can now use water normally.
Damage to several DCC properties – including Forsyth Barr Stadium, the Dunedin Railway Station, the Dunedin Ice Stadium and Forbury Park – is still being assessed, and one residential property has been issued with a Dangerous Building Notice due to wind-related damage. A neighbouring property has also been issued with an Affected Building Notice.
Power has also been restored to almost all of the wastewater pump stations disrupted on Thursday, including in Mosgiel and on Otago Peninsula, so normal usage can resume in those areas.
“At one point yesterday we had almost 50 pump stations and six treatment plants out of service due to power outages, so the impact could have been significant were it not for the fantastic mahi of everyone involved in the response.
“We’re also still asking people to be careful in wooded areas as some trees have loose branches hanging in them. Stay away from areas with obvious signs of damage, and stay alert.”