Children and guns
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The danger of allowing amateur hunters into our glorious national parks has aroused anger and concern among the people of NSW, who rightly regard such places as a refuge for native animals, and a not negotiable part of our national heritage.
It seems totally incongruous that a peaceful, sea-side town of Narooma should be chosen as the site for a festival of hunting, and even more incredible that the promoters should be encouraging the event as “family friendly”.
There is both a physical and a moral risk to children who go out shooting, even with the most responsible parents, and who learn that killing is “fun”.
Markarian, a leading human rights activist said, “The ethical fabric of society is made weaker by encouraging children, who are still learning values, to quash any qualms they might have about killing”.
We should teach our children to love and care for animals, regarding them as sentient creatures that may not be treated cruelly or killed as sport.
Developing empathy for animals is so often an important step towards learning to care for one another as humans.
They will not treat killing as exciting and something to be proud of, and will not grow up to join the sickening crowd of tourists (including MLC Robert Borsak), who go to places like Africa to shoot magnificent wild animals such as elephants, lions and tigers.
No talk of “feral eradication”. The more endangered a native animal is the greater the sum of money the hunter is willing to pay for his trophy.
And then of course there is the association between violence towards animals and violence towards people, and a “gun culture” that is almost impossible to police or eradicate (Ask Barack O’Bama).
All in all it should be enough for us to say, “Ban the Huntfest".
Posters and a banner opposite the Sport and Leisure Centre have been ripped off on two separate occasions, but you can still speak out through some (not all) newspapers, on ABC South East radio, petitions to the Eurobodalla Shire Council, and ultimately through their ballot box.
Susan Cruttenden
Dalmeny
Great book launch
I WRITE with regard to the book launch by author Paul England on Friday at the Narooma Library.
I had intended to go fishing but was persuaded, rather reluctantly by my partner to attend.
The author started off with a true story from his childhood. How a penny spent by his mother in him when he was 6 or 7 years old changed his life.
Then he went through the development of the Knights of Bonalla series, from Zoom One to Frogger.
It's a young people's series, I know, but I found it very interesting.
The author was very engaging, and the children that were there were enthralled with his memories and the outline of the books.
I was glad I went to the launch, and I will definitely get a copy of Frogger and its predecessor for my nieces and nephews.
John Lauwereins
Narooma
Mayor’s column – Big issue papers
I CAN safely say the past week has been one of Big Issue Papers for Local Government!
NSW Local Government Minister Don Page released the Independent Local Government Review Panel’s Future Directions paper and is asking councils across the state to have their say.
If adopted, the proposals would see a move away from the current one-size-fits-all approach.
There are a number of proposals that seek to address the uncertainty about future financial sustainability.
One is to streamline rate pegging and allow councils to be able to increase rates above their IPART’s determination if certain criteria are met. Another is that councils could transfer responsibility for their water and sewer to a larger County Council that might represent a group of councils, e.g. Eurobodalla, Shoalhaven and Bega Valley.
There are also a number of interesting and quite controversial ideas about how to address council infrastructure, budget, and productivity problems and options for new government and structural reform.
The NSW Treasury Corporation, commonly known as TCorp, issued their report on all 152 NSW councils last week.
They assessed the financial capacity and long term sustainability of councils, compared similar councils and consulted with all councils that it assessed.
As a result, we were assessed as having a “Moderate” financial sustainability rating which means we have the capacity to meet our financial commitments through to the long term and are likely to be able to withstand unforseen changes; with a “Neutral” outlook, which means there were no known foreseeable events which would change our financial sustainability.
The NSW Government’s White Paper – A new planning system for NSW went on exhibition a few weeks ago.
The White Paper represents the Government’s direction for a new planning system in NSW and the community are being invited to suggest improvements and have their say on some issues.
To ensure that our community is fully informed and has the opportunity to have input, we have we have invited the Department of Planning and Infrastructure to attend a Eurobodalla council and community workshop on June 4 from 2.30pm, at Council Chambers in Moruya.
Five fundamental reforms are proposed; changing the planning culture, community participation, strategic planning, development assessment, and infrastructure. I encourage industry professionals, consultants, developers, builders, real estate agents and anyone looking at what they can do with land to attend and to have a say in shaping the ground rules for the new planning system.
Please let me know if there is any issue you feel Eurobodalla Shire Council may be able to help you with. You can email me at mayor@eurocoast.nsw.gov.au or phone me on 0418 279 215.
Cr Lindsay Brown
Mayor of Eurobodalla Shire
Narooma streetscape not so natural
AS a resident of Narooma, I am concerned about the number of trees being removed for upgrades to roads and drainage on the Flat.
Like most residents of Narooma, I was shocked at the sudden removal of the lovely old trees from the area outside the visitors centre.
It is now a fairly barren and unattractive space where previously it was a little oasis offering much needed shade in summer for travellers.
Some of whom also may have considered going into the visitors centre and holidaying here, bringing income into the town, now with the proposed roundabout it appears we want to move them on as soon as possible.
Today, I noticed more precious old trees have been sacrificed.
One big old one right at the entrance to the town by the bridge!
What sort of message are we trying to give our visitors?
“Adventure Naturally” our biggest draw card for tourism, is at odds with the reduction of Narooma's natural beauty, signified by the loss of these old native trees.
I don't believe the committee or the planners really appreciate what is lost and the time it will take to grow trees to the same grand size again.
We should not lose another public tree without significant consultation with the Narooma community.
Let's protect the rest of these lovely old trees on the Flat with heritage legislation before we lose any more.
Christa Mood
Narooma
Regarding Huntfest, hunting
LET me offer a unique perspective on hunting.
I was a Fisheries & Wildlife Officer in Victoria from 1980 to 1997, during this time I worked at game seasons for duck, deer, quail and snipe.
I also enforced general regulations relating to the firearms act.
Over these 17 years I saw the activity of hunting go from an almost “free for all” to a highly regulated past time.
This improvement was due to two factors - increased relevant restrictions and education.
Venues like Huntfest provide an excellent educational opportunity for hunters.
Only serious hunters and their families will take the time to attend Huntfest, and bring money to the local community.
The opponants of Huntfest need to “take a Bex and have a good lie down”, because they are doing real damage to the Narooma image through their misinformation campaign.
Council has made their decision on the matter, if you are not happy with this decision then express it at the ballot box.
One other point - regarding shooting in National Parks. The simple fact is that NPWS doesn't have the budget required for effective vermin control, the cost effective way is to actually manage the hunting in some National Parks.
Don't necessarily just open the gate to shooters, but look at what can be achieved by a proper game management strategy.
At the moment the issue is too simplified - either for or against shooting in National Parks. If it is managed properly the vermin goal can be achieved and revenue can be raised, this has worked in other states and can work here.
John Moore
Kianga
Withdraw the tax
I READ the "Narooma News" of April 24, expecting to see letters from Labor MP Mike Kelly and CEFE's Matthew Nott.
Letters finally conceding that the Carbon (Dioxide) Tax has proved to be an expensive failure.
With the collapse of the Carbon market price to record lows, Australia has the most expensive Carbon Tax in the world.
And what has it achieved? Answer, a massive cost burden on industry and on domestic energy prices.
And impact on world CO2 content? Answer, a figure so small as to be virtually immeasurable.
The Gillard Government has pursued this madness, urged on by Matthew Nott and his CEFE cohorts.
I was hoping to hear that Labor's Mike Kelly had urged the Government to withdraw the Tax now, before the Election, so that it would become a non-issue on polling day.
Perhaps I am too much of an optimist.
Frank O'Brien, Narooma
Member of the Liberal Party
Artwork recovered
I WOULD like to thank the Narooma News for printing my letter last week. I received a call from the wonderful person who bought my gold-work embroidery entry at MACS Easter Exhibition.
She most kindly agreed to return the picture and refused any reward.
I have always believed that 99.9 per cent of people are good and she has confirmed that belief. Thank you again.
Mary Ryan
Dalmeny
Words of Peace
WORDS of Peace, the award-winning TV series, will be screened on Australia National Television Station 4ME (Channel 64 regional) starting each Saturday from May 4 at 8 pm. Further broadcasts will screen Sundays at 9.30 am and Wednesdays at 5 pm.
Find out more at wopg.org
Lesleigh Sayers
Narooma
Pedestrian underpass
WHAT is the best way for pedestrians to turn left off the northern end of the bridge into Riverview Road?
I found it an unnerving experience and wondered how those less able or with little children or even cyclists would feel.
Perhaps a pedestrian gangway under the bridge approached by ramps on either side would be one solution.
Thea Yates
Narooma