Second shot for range
Project gets tick from councillors
A CONTROVERSIAL rifle range west of Jondaryan has been approved by Toowoomba Regional Council, despite objections from nearby landholders.
Councillors voted nearly unanimously for the proposed “outdoor sport and recreation” project on Bowenville-Acland Rd in Malu yesterday.
The Darling Downs Rifle Club put forward plans last year for the range, which comprised of a shooting range area and clubhouse, along with formal and informal car parking.
This is the second time the club has been approved for a rifle range on the site, after a prior application was defeated in the Planning and Environment Court in 2017 on the advice of legal representatives to withdraw it.
According to the assessment report by Rodney O’Brien, the latest version of the rifle range removed previous elements like a shotgun range and introduced moving targets, meaning all shooting would take place from the same position.
“It is concluded that the proposed development meets the relevant assessment benchmarks, or in instances where compliance has not been demonstrated, can be made to comply with the imposition of reasonable and relevant conditions,” he told councillors at the special meeting on Wednesday.
But neighbouring landholder Wendy Manning objected to the application at the meeting, saying the development would harm her ability to get certification for organic beef and humane practices.
“As a company committed to humane animal husbandry practices, it would be grossly negligent to run cattle in the two adjoining properties of this proposed development,” she said.
“The associated noise pollution will result in severe negative effects for cattle.”
There were seven submissions against the development in total.
In response, DDRC representative and vet Rob McMaster showed video to the councillors of cattle grazing next to an existing rifle range.