Residents blast bid to move in shooting club

Alex de Vos
Residents have slammed Surf Coast Shire’s plans to relocate Winchelsea Gun Club to a new shooting range at Buckley.
But a councillor has suggested club members could use silencers to address concerns about shooting scaring nearby livestock and native animals.
Waltons Road resident Melinda McKenzie said she feared the club would create major noise, traffic and environmental problems.
“We’ve got young kids and we also run stock on our property – a gun club will destroy our quality of life,” Ms McKenzie said.
“Once we had illegal shooters on that site and a horse went through the fence because of the noise.
“It’s a huge concern for us.”
Ms McKenzie was also worried gunshots at the club could scare away wedge-tail eagles nesting nearby.
She said residents were “outraged” the shire had drawn up plans without consultation.
“They (the gun club and the shire) didn’t speak to any of us,” she said.
“We first heard about it when we received the (planning) application in the mail.”
Thoroughbred trainer and resident Wendy Thornton said the proposed shooting range would damage her horse-training business.
“Thoroughbreds are very highly strung and react to any sudden noise. The consequences of a gun club in the area could be huge,” Ms Thornton said.
“We’ve also got young children and we don’t want them to be brought up around firearms.”
Winchelsea councillor Lindsay Schroeter denied the club had failed to consult residents.
“I was aware the gun club talked to the residents and there weren’t any concerns,” Cr Schroeter said.
He was confident the proposed shooting range would not have a negative impact on animals in the area.
“As far as I’m concerned, it won’t affect the eagles,” he said.
“Birds and dogs get used to guns going off and I hope the horses do, too.
“I’m hopeful the residents and the gun club will resolve this matter – perhaps silencers could be fitted on the guns.”
The Independent revealed earlier this year that State Government had secretly ordered Surf Coast Shire to boot the shooters and the town’s go-kart club off Winchelsea Common.
Last week Winchelsea Gun Club president Bob Brown said the new site was the “best scenario” for the shooters.
“We’ve been working with the shire’s planning consultants for a good while to make this happen and, although we’ve still got a long way to go, this is a good solution,” Mr Brown said.