Council
Invercargill City Council is beginning to understand the full financial toll of the severe weather event that struck Southland on 23 October, triggering a local state of emergency.
During a recent full Council meeting, elected members were presented with a preliminary report outlining an estimated $2.4 million in damage caused by the storm. That figure is expected to change as further assessments are carried out and income from timber sales is finalised.
Chief Executive Michael Day said the region had now moved into recovery mode following the official end of the emergency on 7 November. “The Southland region is now in recovery mode following October’s weather event. We’re extremely grateful nobody in our community was injured during the winds, and our recovery efforts are able to focus on ensuring Council’s facilities, services, and properties can be repaired,” Day said.
He said some damage was severe and unavoidable, with significant impacts across public spaces, buildings, and infrastructure. “The amount of damage inflicted on some of our facilities and infrastructure was significant and, unfortunately, completely outside of our control,” he said.
“We know how important these spaces are for our community, and it’s critical that we undertake substantial repair efforts to get Invercargill and Bluff back to normal. The costs associated with undertaking this work are unavoidable, as we need to ensure our community’s safety is prioritised.”
Council is working with insurers to determine how much of the repair work can be covered. However, much of the cost is unlikely to be recoverable, and the Council is considering a five-year loan to cover the shortfall.
City parks and reserves were especially hard hit, bearing most of the storm's force. Cleanup and repair costs in those areas are already estimated at $930,538. Queens Park, one of the city's largest green spaces, will reopen in stages as work continues to ensure it is safe for the public. The figure does not include the cost of replacing damaged trees.
The storm also caused damage to infrastructure, including street lighting and traffic signals, which will cost $298,308 to repair. Buildings such as Splash Palace and the Bluff Service Centre also suffered broken windows and roof damage, totalling $294,687.
“These facilities are a real lifeline for many people in our community, so we are working as hard and as fast as we can to carry out the repairs they need,” Day said.
The report also acknowledged the work of Council staff, who contributed 525 hours to Emergency Management Southland between the start of the storm and the end of the emergency response.