Shooting range approved

A new indoor shooting range will be built on Ambergate Reserve despite community opposition.

Busselton Shire Council approved the Busselton Pistol Club’s proposal to build an air pistol facility, plus a shed and training room for the Ambergate volunteer Fire Brigade.

The approval motion, which was carried six votes to three, was subject to the resolution of lead contamination issues.

The extension of the pistol club’s use of the reserve has proved controversial, with Ambergate residents signing petitions and a 76 per cent rejection of the proposal at a community forum.

Councillor Ian Stubbs acknowledged the significant opposition, but said he listened carefully to the submissions and was yet to hear any valid reasons for the objections.

He said a community hall, playgrounds and playing fields would be well provided for in the Ambergate North development so there was no need to provide any of these on the reserve.

Speaking against the motion, Cr Don Hanrahan-Smith listed the construction of a South West Ballistic complex in Capel with three shooting ranges as a reason not to support the move.

Cr David Binks said allowing the proposal to go ahead was morally wrong because of a clause indicating the Busselton Pistol Club’s lease of the site would not be renewed.

He said the fractures in the community would be made worse by passing the motion and community opposition should not be ignored.

In response, Cr Stubbs said the clause was not an issue as they were not renewing the lease but were looking at a new lease for a new proposal.

Cr Tom Tuffin said shooting was a recognised sport and should be considered the same as any other sport.

He said the council had supported a $1 million relocation of the tennis and all clubs should be treated equally.