Climbing power poles with live 240 volt and maybe 410 volt cross circuit and or 11,000 volt attached wires is dangerous.  I doubt they have the training or the approval of the power supplier.

Kerry Challis

Narooma

I agree with Mr Toby Whitelaw’s comments on the town signs (Narooma News Online).

Was there any consultative process before this great and unnecessary expenditure? My background is in advertising and visual art, and one develops a feel for good design. These “disasters” don’t measure up. The Narooma sign is hard to read, messy, and who thought up the black lighthouse? The back panels look like high-rise buildings and the coloured rocks look plastic. I feel embarrassed when I pass and it cheapens the area.

The golden rule of design is “less is more” and these signs look as though they have been designed with clip art by a committee. A simpler design, easier to read and more original could have been achieved for less money. I don’t feel these signs respect the dignity and heritage of the landscape and shouldn’t be about human entertainment.

They are 3D travel brochures, better suited to a theme park, shopping mall or Gold Coast funfair, not a place of simple natural beauty –  the scenic gem of the unspoilt Far South Coast.

The Eurobodalla, with its rustic country charm, is very special and why people return to Narooma in particular, year after year, and needs to be maintained at all costs. That it should become over-developed like other coastal resorts doesn’t bear thinking about.

Since we moved here 11 years ago, there’s been quite a bit of development and “upgrading”, which, with the increased road signage, risk over-urbanising the area.

Sydney architect and designer friends disparage the signs, finding them hard to read, too busy, and wonder who designed them.

There is plenty of information for visitors via various media ie golf, whales, fishing etc, so there is no need to spell it out on corny signs. With the shire’s wealth of talent, surely something more enduring and less pretentious could have been created.

Janet Jones

Narooma

Tourism minister Stuart Ayers praised our “Unspoilt South Coast” as “one of Australia’s most appealing destinations” when he gave the Eurobodalla Shire Council an award for tourism.

Such a reputation has taken years of hard work, but can be destroyed if the festival of hunting with sale of guns is allowed to continue on crown land. Promotion of guns and of killing for fun is anathema to those who want the continuation of our enviable life-style. 

Residents have expressed opposition in letters, rallies, presentations and submissions, but if most councillors have heard, they have not made the slightest alteration to the operation of an event that encourages access to children, promotes safaris, and allows dealers to operate. 

In a breathtaking disregard for the community, the licence has been extended into the term of the next council. The Animal Justice Party offered an alternative, life-affirmative festival, but it was rejected without public consultation.

State and federal MPs are generally sympathetic, but lack John Howard’s courage.  The main decision shaping the future of our shire, “Home of HuntFest”  or “How Life Should Be” will be made be made by voters at the election in September.

Susan Cruttenden

Dalmeny