A Tapanui resident is worried the reopening of a firing range will disrupt the peaceful West Otago town.
At a West Otago Community Board meeting this week, Tapanui resident Ted Jones spoke about his concerns about the reopening of an old firing range on Department of Conservation land in Whisky Gully Rd.
The Tapanui Defence Rifle Club, which was first formed in 1913, intended to reopen the range, which closed several years ago.
Mr Jones's main concerns were with noise pollution and safety.
''The high velocity rifles so close to habitation will not allow Tapanui residents to enjoy the peace and quiet they are used to.''
The letter said Whisky Gully's walking track was well used and there was a camping area nearby.
He also believed the rifle range would not be safe, as there was the potential for ricochet from boulders which made up the bed of the proposed range.
Mr Jones said the proposed range would not comply with New Zealand Defence Force standards, as it faced due north and had a rocky bed.
Mr Jones asked the board for support ''to retain the peacefulness and safety of Tapanui''.
He also believed Doc had a lot of land and a more suitable site could be found for the club.
Tapanui Defence Rifle Club president Allan Gunn also spoke at the meeting.
He was confident the proposed plans for the shooting range were compliant and there was no danger.
He said the range had been closed after the club mistakenly set up butts which encroached on a neighbouring property.
The club had employed the use of a surveyor and was preparing to complete earthwork and rebuild stop-butts on the land in the proper place.
It had compliance for a ''No Danger Area'' range, which meant it had to have a back-stop retaining wall behind the target line, designed to catch and prevent misfire or ricochet.
The plans were accepted by Doc.
In the interest of safety, the range would also be fenced.
''We are very concerned about getting our range safe.''
Mr Gunn agreed sound could be an issue if ''you were making enough'' but it was not a safety issue.
He clarified with the board that the club was allowed to use the range up to 15 times per year but it was more likely it would only be used about four times.
The club had been using other shooting ranges in Invercargill and on Mr Gunn's own property near Tapanui for the past few years.
Mr Jones stated he understood that Clutha District Council regulatory services group manager David Campbell had given the club ''his full support''.
When contacted, Mr Campbell denied giving the club his ''support''.
''I'm not in a position to, but all I've said is these are the rules and that activity is provided for in the district plan subject to meeting noise and other requirements.''
The club did not have to obtain any consents from the council.
The community board was unable to prevent the club from operating as it was not on council land.
Cr Michele Kennedy said as it was Doc land, the community board had no power over the situation and needed to remain neutral.
Doc Murihiku operations manager Tony Preston was aware members of the public had raised concerns regarding the shooting range.
Under the provision of the concession granted by Doc, the the rifle club must hold a current certificate of inspection from an approved range safety inspector.
It required the construction, signage, use and range standing orders complied with the New Zealand Police and New Zealand Deerstalkers Association specifications for rifle ranges.
