The Animal Justice Party (AJP) said it had no knowledge of HuntFest’s existence before it lodged an application with Eurobodalla Shire Council to use the Narooma Sport and Leisure Centre and NATA Oval on the June 2018 long weekend.

The South Coast Hunters Club has previously held HuntFest at the venue on that weekend, and the council is considering its application for a five-year extension. 

The AJP is also seeking a five-year event licence from 2018. It is seeking permission for a two-day festival to “showcase the region’s growing creative, cultural, healthy life style, recreational and sustainable ventures”. 

Party president Professor Steve Garlick said the event would be educational.

“The festival will involve the local and regional community and visitors in an entertaining and educational event that will facilitate more positive engagement than that found at similar events,” Professor Garlick said. 

“It will showcase the region’s growing creative, cultural, culinary, healthy life style, recreational and sustainable ventures.”

A party spokesperson said members were unaware of any other group’s interest in the site. 

Eurobodalla Shire Council called for expressions of interests for people to hold events at Corrigans Reserve, Mackay Park and the Narooma venue in December 2015. A spokeswoman said where two or more applicants requested the same venue for the same dates, council would use a tendering process. 

“Applicants need to address a range of criteria, including economic activity, future growth potential, sustainability and other benefits to the community,” she said. 

“Both the South Coast Hunters Club and the Animal Justice Party submitted an expression of interest for NATA oval on the long weekend in June.”