ARROWTOWN VILLAGE ASSOCIATION INC

CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT 2009 

Arrowtown can be described as an alpine mountain village that has undergone tremendous growth and change in the past ten years. The near completion of the Miners cottages and the new  shops opposite the New Orleans hotel is a symbol of this growth.  Early to mid  2010 further significant commercial development is planned with the Stables Restaurant, the Jade centre and  new buildings behind the Post Office. This year has seen the AVA  been involved with a diverse range of projects:Some of these include the following     

• The completion of the second foot bridge over the Arrow River on the road to Macetown
• The  continued upgrade and maintenance of  the  security cameras in the main street, which has been put to effective use by the police.
• The printing and distribution of the biannual Arrow Observer. 
• Supporting Jean Brittens  rose trail around Arrowtown.
• Assisting with Meals on Wheels for the elderly around Arrowtown.

• Supporting John Mowat in the restoration  of the original Miners Track at the eight mile on the  way to Macetown.

• A commitment  to support Jan Morrison in the clearing of Miners Huts  close by Foxes Monument and on Tobins Track.

• Supporting DOC in the clearing and replanting of Feehly Hill

• Lobbying  our local MP for approval of a new Pre School, which to Jim Ryans good work  I am sure has had  a direct result on approving the building of the new school.

• Lobbying Council on speed restrictions and motorbike restrictions  by the Arrow River

• Lobbying local Police Commander  to keep our Community Police Constable

• Discussion with ORC re doggy bags  and holder on Centennial  Track

 This Association will continue to take an active interest in Arrowtown projects. I wish to acknowledge donations from the various charities and organizations to this Association over the past year, especially the Sky City Casino Trust, The  Central Lakes Trust  and the individuals  and  businesses around the town who have  who have assisted John Mowatt with food, accommodation and monetary donations towards the Miners Track up the Arrow River. Our local councillor John Wilson who continues to battle for the good of Arrowtown Thank you for your  continued excellent work. This Association will work closely with John to ensure the needs of Arrowtown are not overlooked by Queenstown-Lakes District Council and that new projects are included in the annual plan. To the Autumn Festival Committee who have in recent years restored the Festival to its  original glory and made it even better, I acknowledge your good work and what a success it has become again. The recent Plan change 29  the restricting of Arrowtown Boundarys has proved to be an emotional and hot topic. This is a process that will end up in the Environmental Court and will be  a long and drawn out exercise for both concerned citizens and Council.Thank you to Jim Feehly for all the work, time and effort he has put towards this plan change. The Clean Air and Warm Homes group, has done excellent work in putting together a strategy to help Arrowtowners work with Regional Council to implement new central government regulations around this issue by December 2011. This date is fast approaching and  one needs to ensure your heating system complies with the new regulations.  We continue to support John Mowat in his continued  tracks and bridges project. His recent restoration of the old miners track at the eight mile has proven a bit more challenging than expected and to complete the whole project we will need to seek further funding in the vicinity of $15000 to finish the project. We are currently working with  the Southland Community Trust in obtaining further funding.  Thank you to our committee members for their assistance this year, especially to Michael Tierney, our treasurer-secretary. Michael has  put in numerous funding applications and I can assure you these take a lot of time, work  and effort  to complete. Thank you to Jim Ryan for his excellent work with the security  cameras and  Arrow  net, both proving  valuable assets to our town. Arrow net is a club for people over 55 established to help them learn new computer skills.  This Association will continue to explore ways of improving our wonderful town.  If you have any thoughts on the matter, please feel free to pass them on to myself or the committee.  We are here to make Arrowtown a better place in which to live.  It has been 13 years since I become Chairman of this Association and now it  is time for a change  and  new blood. Thank you for your support over that time, I have enjoyed the challenges and the projects of which  there has been many.It’s been a privilege and a honour to serve the citizens  and  Community of Arrowtown.I know this committee will elect a new  and capable Chairman in due course. Finally, I ask you to support this Association.  For those who have yet to join, we urge you to become a member and play your part in ensuring the Arrowtown Village Association continues its role as an effective voice in the community. 

 R.M. Newman

Chairman  

 MISSION STATEMENT

The Arrowtown Village Association shall strive to be an excellent example of community action occurring in an energetic, cooperative and organized manner for the benefit of all residents, businesses and the village as a whole