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A controversial hunting festival on the NSW south coast will sell firearms and ammunition, and host an air rifle range next year despite opposition from community groups who fear the creep of gun culture. The Narooma HuntFest has been held in the coastal town for the last two years and bills itself as "a complete outdoor show" that aims to promote the principles of safe and ethical hunting. But in September, the organisers of the festival applied to the Eurobodalla Shire Council for permits to display and sell firearms in accordance with NSW regulations, which would extend the extent of the festival. In October, more than 900 residents signed a petition objecting to the festival and calling on the government to revoke the licences granted to the organisers allowing them to sell firearms and maintain a portable air rifle range. But MP Kevin Humphries rejected the petition's demands earlier this month and maintained the licences. "The terms of the petition state that the petitioners reject the event on grounds including the absence of community consultation and perceived negative social, cultural and economic impacts on the shire," he said. 'I have been advised that a review of the circumstances of the case has found that there are no compelling reasons to rescind the licence for Huntfest." The NSW Shooters and Fishers Party says the event contributed around $900,000 to the local economy during 2014 and next year's event intends to be even bigger. The administrators of gun forums in the region called for local members to support the festival and be aware "the Greens and their urban guerrilla groups have tried every trick and deception in the book to shut HuntFest down".

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