Club defies its eviction order

Andrew Mathieson
GEELONG Gun Club has defied a State Government deadline to stop shooting at its century-old site.
Members continued shooting on Sunday at Limeburner’s Point one day after their eviction notice expired.
Department of Sustainability and Environment said it would now seek legal advice to force the club off the site.
Club president Steve Haberman revealed to the Independent last month that members planned to ignore the eviction notice until the Government found them a “suitable” new home. Member for Geelong Ian Trezise denied that the Government had promised to find a new site for the club.
Mr Haberman said this week that the club would continue shooting at Limeburner’s Point.
“I really don’t know where it’s all going at the moment,” he said.
“We’re still hopeful of an amicable outcome – let’s put it that way.”
The department’s Mike Behnke warned that ignoring the notice to leave could have further ramifications.
“Our expectation was that they’re off the site and I want to leave it at that,” he told the Independent.
“I’m going to get some advice from our legal people.”
State Government has been in a seven-year battle to evict the club from its Eastern Park home amid environmental concerns over lead shot and target debris.
Geelong’s council refused to order the shooters off the site, forcing the Government to take over City Hall’s management status.
The gun club has since resumed talks with Government officials to find.
But Mr Behnke said shooters had not suggested a new home.
“We’ve never closed the door on discussions for another site but we’re adamant they are to cease the existing site.”