Resignation highlights dissent

The deputy chairwoman of the Arrowtown Village Association has resigned "in utter disgust at the contempt shown for the association's rules by several long-standing members of the committee".

Arrowtown resident Jude Gillies confirmed her resignation from the association's post, its committee and its membership on Friday, after the monthly meeting on Thursday.

"I do not wish to be a member of an incorporated society that does not abide by its own rules," Ms Gillies said in her letter to association chairman Jim Feehly, secretary Gerard Hall and the committee.

In a statement to the Queenstown Times, Ms Gillies said she had been "shocked" at the alleged lack of transparency and accountability within the committee procedures and the alleged lack of commitment to the association's mission statement to "strive to be an excellent example of community action working in an energetic, co-operative and organised manner for the benefit of all residents, businesses and the village as a whole".

Ms Gillies said material posted on the association website promoted growth of the town and used wording conducive to the development of the Arrowtown South plan change proposal and future subdivision, none of which had been endorsed by the association.

She and some others on the committee asked to survey the full association membership on the ongoing proposed Arrowtown urban boundary plan changes to prepare an association submission to the Queenstown Lakes District Council.

"Other long-standing committee members . . . insisted the membership could not be contacted because so few were on email.

"In fact, the disclosure of the membership list late last year revealed more than 40% had email addresses."

Ms Gillies said she met resistance from members of the committee when she called for the website to reflect association policy, and she resigned.

"I understand a motion that the AVA website reflect the association's policy was passed after I left the meeting," Ms Gillies said.