Four Winds Bermagui takes on Bermagui Field and Game to stop shooting it says ruins their ‘image’

A multi-million dollar south coast music venue says its future and renowned image will be under threat if extra clay pigeon shooting days are granted to a local gun club.

The future of classical music on the south coast is in a battle with a gun club looking to increase shooting days, the live venue says will ruin its “image” if allowed.

The move by Bermagui Field and Game to increase the number of clay pigeon shooting days from 12 Sundays a year to 24 was debated by Bega Valley Shire Council after concerns were raised the development application could impact one of the region’s most well-known music venues if approved.

Four Winds honorary treasurer Geoff Steel said increased shooting days could impact the $1.3 million revenue of the venue. Picture: Four Winds

Geoff Steel, the honorary treasurer of Barraga Bay’s Four Winds, a critically acclaimed arts organisation with a world-class 2000-person capacity venue two kilometres from the shooting range, told the council it was against the move of increasing shoot days.

He said the additional 12 days could impact the $1.3 million in yearly revenue and the $4 million venue’s “fine music events of the highest standard”, which draws visitors from across Australia.

“Every time the shooters shoot it affects us. Nothing Four Winds does affects the shooters,” he said.

He said gunshots can be “heard quite clearly” if the wind is blowing towards the venue.

“It’s an extremely bad image for us if people attending an indoor event are outside socialising, having food and beverages before, at the interval and after, to have the beautify of the site ruined by shooting noise.

“Our brand is dependent on our pristine environment and we genuinely fear that our reputation is at stake and the viability of our business.

“Four Winds also has ambitious ideas to expand music activities at its renowned site.

“The difficulties in scheduling that will occur with the increased number of shooting days will make expansion very difficult. An opportunity to do more for the wider community will be lost.”

Clinton Murray's Windsong Pavilion at Four Winds south of Bermagui. Picture: Anthony Browell.

In 2015, the gun club was told by the council it should consider relocating if it intended to expand, after its request for additional shooting days was shot down.

Bermagui Field and Game president Neville Brady told the council it would provide $10,000 noise study reports before it begins holding events, which have been postponed by Covid restrictions.

“No other club is put through the kind of restrictions we are. If you talk to the mayor of Wagga, when he hears the pop, pop pop, he loves it, because it’s money for the town,” he said.

Concerts at the Philip Cox designed sound shell at Four Winds Bermagui would be impacted by Sunday shooting, treasurer Geoff Steel said. Picture: Anthony Browell

“We’re out in the middle of nowhere and because the issue with Four Winds is at the forefront of all this, we’re happy to roll in with them.

“We’re told we are in the wrong place for their image. It’s not about image, it’s about coexisting in the bush. We just want somewhere where kids can come and learn how to shoot.

“We’ve got no issues with these people (Four Winds).”

The council allowed the expansion to a maximum of nine training and safety days per year, limiting hours and excluding public holidays.

The club has also been allowed six training days in order to complete the noise report before the council votes on whether to increase shooting days to 24 Sundays a year.