New website caps off communication campaign

HISTORIC Arrowtown is embracing the digital age.

The gold mining township’s village association has rounded off a yearlong campaign to improve communication with residents by launching a new website.

Arrowtownvillage.nz went live on Wednesday. Developed by Alison Dench Communications, it is packed with Arrow townspecific information, such as contact details of community groups, advice on reducing pollution from wood burners, and rules on trimming trees in the historic zone.

A blog will be regularly updated. The association is also engaging more on Facebook, increasing followers from eight to more than 300. It shares news, such as the E coli outbreak in Lake Hayes, and monitors comments.

And membership of the association is now free, leading to an increase in members from 132 to more than 200.

Acting chairman Martin Bar rett said: ‘‘We’re aiming to increase our membership base even further, as the larger our membership, the stronger our voice.

‘‘Between the website, our Facebook page, a regular column in The Loop Arrowtown and our newsletters to members, we’ve got all the bases covered when it comes to communication.

‘‘This way we hope to bring increased engagement and pro vide better representation for a wider audience.’’

Run by volunteers, the association was formed in 1999 as the Arrowtown Residents’ Association and became the Arrowtown Village Association in 2008.

It regularly contributes to to local, regional and central government on a range of topics close to locals’ hearts.