HUNTFEST organisers have applied to Eurobodalla Shire Council to include a display of weapons and an interactive display at the 2014 event.
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But the application, to go before council on December 10, has raised the ire of Greens councillor Gabi Harding.
Cr Harding put out a media release yesterday voicing her opposition to the display of weapons and expressing concern about the timeframe for approval.
“Council is due to consider this request at its meeting on December 10, to meet an unreasonably tight decision deadline set by Huntfest organisers,” she said.
South Coast Hunters Club president Dan Field confirmed the submission had been sent to council but said it was hardly a tight schedule given that councillors had had it in their papers for a month.
He also took exception to Cr Harding labelling the interactive component as “killing games”, saying it was concerned with hunting safety and teaching hunters to aim properly.
“If she thinks this is bad, she should take a look at the video games that kids are playing in their own lounge rooms where they are killing or blowing up people,” Mr Field said.
Cr Harding said Eurobodalla’s reputation as a haven for wildlife and showcase for nature’s wonders was at serious risk.
“The argument that it (Huntfest) brings visitors to the shire is undermined by the likelihood that it will keep many others away,” she said.
But Mr Field said the whole idea of the event, held over the June long weekend, was to attract visitors to the district and that any suggestions that weapons would be fired at the event was ludicrous.
Cr Harding said the most important issue was the values of the community.
“My strong impression is that local residents are appalled at the idea of promoting a gun culture,” she said.
“At the very least, I would like to see council’s decision delayed until early in the New Year, to allow for a proper community discussion on this significant issue.
“Given that the matter is currently on council’s agenda for December 10, however, people need to act quickly to make their views known.”