The Queenstown waterfront was a hive of activity yesterday as flood prevention measures took top priority.
Temporary scaffolding, 900mm concrete pipes, sandbags and tarpaulins were put in place as the Queenstown Lakes District Council, the Otago Regional Council, business owners and volunteers took action.
Skyline Enterprises chief executive Jeff Staniland said the company, owner of several buildings in the area, erected metre-high scaffolding to hold up a "plastic membrane" to reduce damage from waves and restrain water to 600mm.
"We are trying to protect our buildings.
"It's a new idea that hasn't been tested yet, but it's worth trying," he said.
The company developed the idea about five years ago as a result of the 1999 flood.
While the Queenstown Lakes council was not responsible for securing properties and had no powers to force businesses to act, council staff and contractors sprang into action.
Truckloads of sand and bags began arriving in the CBD yesterday morning and kept coming during the day. The sand was made available to businesses through two sandbagging stations.
Another 1500 sandbags were available, with 1000 more arriving at 6pm from Dunedin, Mayor Clive Geddes said.
He did not know how much sand had been used. "It is coming in by the truckload".
Each truck carried about eight tonnes of sand.
Large concrete pipes and blocks were placed along the waterfront to help deflect waves.
Stormwater drains had been covered, an ORC boom had been deployed to prevent debris gathering in Queenstown Bay and part of the pumping station on Marine Pde, which had not been flood-proofed after the 1999 flood, had been sandbagged.
Kawarau Jet staff had barricaded the company's wharf kiosk with steel doors and evacuated the Queenstown Underwater Observatory - which was flooded last night - while Pier 19 restaurant was emptied, along with Patagonia Chocolates and Quiksilver, which is partly below ground level in the redeveloped Mountaineer building.
Sales assistant Toby Lord said staff had been told there was a "50% chance" of it flooding.
Volunteers were cheerful as they filled thousands of sandbags.
But waterfront retailers were not taking any chances.
Pub on Wharf manager Chris Buckley, who helped sandbag around the wharf, said he was "not going to wait".
"We are going to get everything out - as much as we can take.
"We've ordered a truck to take all the furniture out. We just have to be prepared as much as we can," he said.
Wai Waterfront restaurant barricaded the lake frontage with tarpaulin and sandbags, the Boiler Room closed, while Minus 5 ice bar remained open but on alert.
The bar, within the Steamer Wharf complex, had also placed tarpaulin screens and sandbags outside, and hoped to remain open.
Shops around Earnslaw Park and in lower Beach St had also taken steps to protect their premises and stock.
TSS Earnslaw was still running yesterday and would not stop unless conditions became extreme.
Real Journeys general manager Tracey Maclaren said the company had placed scaffolding on the Steamer Wharf, which raised the entrance to the ship, so customers would be able to board without getting wet feet.
"We have no serious problems at Walter Peak Station either, as the homestead is elevated from the lake and, if needed, we can put scaffolding on the jetty, as well."
Central Art Gallery proprietor Julia Milley remembers the 1999 flood and was keeping a positive attitude yesterday.
"It's only water. It's not like people are dying. We just have to remain positive and soldier through.
"Ten years ago, many were taken by surprise by the flood.
"This time, people have been warned, and have had plenty of time to prepare for how they intend to get through a possible flood," Ms Milley said.
The historic Bathhouse restaurant on Queenstown Bay was still trading, even as wind pushed waves around the cafe.
By noon, the only clear access to the restaurant was a ramp facing Marine Pde, after wave action on the lake caused water to pool.
Owner Karen Brown said the restaurant would trade as long as possible.
Tatler Restaurant and Bar and Prime Waterfront Restaurant and Bar owner Mark Jessop said his two businesses had posted contingency plans on its website.
"Unfortunately, the $50,000 excess and $100,000 insurance cap, plus a huge premium, is not something we could commercially justify over the last 11 years, so we are going to have to tough it out by ourselves," he said.
Staff were carting sandbags to Tatler's entrance and were ready to empty fridges and freezers and take the contents and restaurant furniture off site.
At the 273-room Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, 50 ground-floor rooms in the two wings nearest Queenstown Bay were either kept unoccupied or the guests moved to the upper floor.
Wire fences were installed to prevent driftwood damage to the hotel.
