Dear Members,
 
As you all know we had our AGM yesterday.

The following officers were elected:
secretary: Graye Shattky,  president: Richard Kohler, treasurer: Kate Kohler.  Dave Hastings was confirmed in his role as website manager (and thank you very much indeed for all your work!).  
We have an additional three members who volunteered to be on our management committee, which is really excellent news as this should reduce the workload of the elected members somewhat.  Anyone who wishes to become more involved can do just that by either volunteering for the committee, or by just helping out every now and again, and by keeping in touch.  Give it a go!
 
I also want to use this opportunity to thank Mark Field for his years of service as our treasurer:  Thank you, mate for your great work and good company!  And I want to welcome Kate as our new treasurer.
We have further decided to leave the yearly subscription at $10 per person.  Incidentally the subscription is due now.  You can either send a cheque to "the treasurer" COES  PO Box 10, Omakau, Central Otago, or you can pay by direct credit to: Kiwibank Now Account: 38-9006-0477812-00 (make sure you give your name).  
 
Other matters:
1) COES has written a submission regarding the destruction of historical buildings in Alexandra (the old school building, also known as the boxing club).  A hearing will be held before the Council pretty soon.  I'll go and present our concerns at that hearing.
2) We are currently writing a submission regarding a proposed gold mining development on the schoolhouse creek alluvial fan in the Nevis Valley.  This mine will be in a landscape which was classified as being of "outstanding significance" in our District Plan....
3) COES will be before a Council Committee yet again to comment on and argue about points of the proposed Plan Change 5 of our District Plan.  This is a very important document as it will set the guidelines for future development of our environment.  Graye will front the Council and represent COES at these hearings.
 
Apart from that, we are still waiting for a formal Resource Consent application by Contact regarding dam(s) on the Clutha.  We are also watching the lignite discussion (L&M mining in the Hawkduns) with interest, and have started gathering information. Our Project Hayes subcommittee (Save Central) is very busy again with the upcoming proceedings before the High Court.  Graye will keep us all posted on any developments in that area.  
 
As you all know, if you have any queries, ideas etc, please contact me.  Let me know what you think your Society should be doing and be involved in. Check us out at www.coes.co.nz
 
 
cheers
Richard Kohler
chair COES
ph 4474048