COUNCILLOR Gabi Harding and Clr Danielle Brice are seeking an extraordinary meeting of council to urgently discuss the upcoming HuntFest event It follows the receipt by council of legal advice that does not dispute claims by the Environmental Defender's Office that the approval for weapons sales and an air rifle range at this year's HuntFest did not meet legal requirements. “I am concerned that the council is leaving itself, and therefore ratepayers, financially exposed by not taking action immediately on this advice,” Cr Harding said. “In particular, public liability insurance for the event may well be invalid, given the legal questions surrounding its approval.” Cr Harding plans to move a motion that council advises HuntFest organisers that further development consent is required before any activity can proceed which was not included in the original approval, and that council issue an order under the Environmental Assessment and Planning Act for HuntFest to comply with the conditions of the initial consent. She will also call for the mayor to appoint a panel of independent advisers to conduct a review of council's planning processes, including the timeline of legal advice sought and received for HuntFest. “There has been a serious lack of transparency and accountability around this matter and, on the face of it, councillors appear to have received incorrect advice when making decisions,” Cr Harding said. “As a result, I will be expecting the support of all other councillors in my attempts to ensure we proceed from this point in an appropriate way. “I am sure my ERA council colleagues, in particular, will want to take this opportunity to demonstrate their concern about proper process.” Narooma HuntFest weapon sales need review, Greens Narooma Huntfest gears up for June long weekend Narooma HuntFest organisers unfazed by EDO advice
COUNCILLOR Gabi Harding and Clr Danielle Brice are seeking an extraordinary meeting of council to urgently discuss the upcoming HuntFest event
It follows the receipt by council of legal advice that does not dispute claims by the Environmental Defender's Office that the approval for weapons sales and an air rifle range at this year's HuntFest did not meet legal requirements.
“I am concerned that the council is leaving itself, and therefore ratepayers, financially exposed by not taking action immediately on this advice,” Cr Harding said.
“In particular, public liability insurance for the event may well be invalid, given the legal questions surrounding its approval.”
Cr Harding plans to move a motion that council advises HuntFest organisers that further development consent is required before any activity can proceed which was not included in the original approval, and that council issue an order under the Environmental Assessment and Planning Act for HuntFest to comply with the conditions of the initial consent.
She will also call for the mayor to appoint a panel of independent advisers to conduct a review of council's planning processes, including the timeline of legal advice sought and received for HuntFest.
“There has been a serious lack of transparency and accountability around this matter and, on the face of it, councillors appear to have received incorrect advice when making decisions,” Cr Harding said.
“As a result, I will be expecting the support of all other councillors in my attempts to ensure we proceed from this point in an appropriate way.
“I am sure my ERA council colleagues, in particular, will want to take this opportunity to demonstrate their concern about proper process.”
