Few could argue that we live in one of the most liveable and beautiful parts of NSW.

Cobargo itself has prospered from its location and amenities which service residents, businesses, tourists and visitors alike.

To meet the expanding needs, in the last 12 months, Cobargo has seen a marked boost in visitor numbers, as recorded by the local information centre, the opening of a number of new shops including an op shop as well as jewellery gallery, designer home wares store, an upgraded post office with expanded services, a natural therapy dispensary, and a retro boutique offering clothing and other goods.

The village also boasts two doctors, a pharmacy, newsagent, school, art galleries, specialty stores, several coffee shops and cafes, and a hotel with a full season of live entertainment.

Fresh produce abounds, and a local market garden offers a wide range of fruit and vegetables.

So much to offer, yet we represent only one small town, in the Sapphire Coast.

The Cobargo Tourist and Business Association (CTBA) is just one of many local 'chambers' working towards the shared goal of encouraging business and agriculture, while maintaining a viable and welcoming place to reside.

The challenge of all of us, is how to better promote our region – and in saying this, we all have a part to play.

What a delight to see the Dr Evershed Memorial Clock with it's light on on Wednesday night.

For the first time in years the face was lit up as it should be.  

When the time is right, this memorial will be given the recognition it deserves by Bega Valley Shire Council.

It was the initiative of the Animal Justice Party to propose a life-affirming, profit-making festival as an alternative to further festivals of hunting to be held over June long weekends from 2018-2022.

When opponents of HuntFest became aware of this proposal they welcomed the idea of a celebration of living being given the opportunity to replace one of animal killing .

This other celebration would share  the spirit and ethos of a shire which has the enviable logo of “How Life Should Be”.

It was seen as a way of benefiting the community while providing councillors with a way of backing away from future licensing of HuntFest without losing all credibility.  

If the Animal Justice Party option had been adopted, councillors who may have regretted the hasty initial decision  made in 2012 could have justly claimed  they had mistaken the feelings of the people who live here, and had underestimated the way an event that presented itself as a photographic competition could grow so quickly into one that sold guns, promoted overseas safaris, and encouraged children to kill animals for fun.  

But no! Instead of respecting the wishes of the electorate councillors decided behind closed doors to reject the alternative tender in favour of still  more festivals of animal killing with sale of guns.

This unnecessarily early  decision will benefit  the hunters and the Sporting Shooters Association in their plans to give greater certainty  to Narooma as “Home of HuntFest”, but is strongly  opposed  by the many people living here who believe it will cause social and environmental damage to the shire far greater than any imagined  advantages.        

By  failing to represent  the community on this and other controversial issues, many councillors will have  jeopardised their chances of re-election in September.