Mod 5 - Design Changes

I am in full support of this application and agree with the modifications.

Sincerely
Mike Crockford
JP, OB, AME(Eng) OWSI Brookside 591
& Law Abiding Firearms Owner

I own a property with in the Wingecarribee Shire and live in the Wollondilly I'm looking forward to the improvements to the Southern Highlands Shooting Complex at Hill Top. Please allow the modifications to go through and allow the ever increasing population of the Macarthur and Highlands regions a world class shooting facility that will help grow and foster the shooting sports and disciplines.

I support the proposed range. I think it will cater for the growing shooting sports.

*Firearms Legislation stipulates that we must take part in at least four target competitions per year.
However there are very few venues that we can use to comply with this regulation so Hill Top will help to fill a vital need in this regard.
*Everyone is entitled to participate in their chosen legal sport so facilities should be available to all.
*The rectification will make the facility even more neighbor friendly by using sound minimization walls, ceilings, and earth barriers.

As Captain of the Southern Highlands Rifle Club I have long awaited the completion of the 500m and 50m ranges and within this modification I am eager to see the restrictive sound limits set at a reasonably higher level, rated as average not maximum and the usage of the 800m Range increased to a seven day a week operation as well as usage on Public Holidays.
I therefore completely agree to the points in the application and I am looking forward to the day we have a useful complex for all law abiding Shooters to attend in a controlled environment.

I support this development for many reasons both as a Target Shooter wishing to use these facilities but also as a local that see's this development as a great opportunity for the development of facilities to attract others living outside our district wishing to use the Complex as well.

I have only moved to the Southern Highlands 18 months ago and have noticed the lack of shooting facilities in the area. Being a licensed shooter with nearly 20 years experience I can say that my family, friends and co workers would utilise this facility, the only recommendation I have is to ensure the facility accomodate target pistol as well as I'm required to attend my club of Blacktown NSW at least 6 times a year to maintain my license, which now is located approx 140km from my residence

The development should go ahead as soon as possible.

I see these facilities as one of many that should be built in every major city. Firearms and sporting shooters are here to stay as a major sport, Australia is in need of these training area for new comers introduction to the sport , safety, training, practice. Sporting shooters useing these facilities is the key mind set to the new shooter, also by watching, they learn how experienced shooters stay focused when useing firearms. Above all which we notice now days is the loss of respect we all see in every day in life. ''Respect'' is instilled in every person that handles firearms from a very young age on and off the field. I personally would like to see every Australian child visit a shooting range, to do just an hour firearm safety course and be able to fire a firearm if they so chose to do so. We teach children to learn how to cross a road to stay safe,yet they are told these days by adults to fear a firearm and firearm owner. Reality is, they should be taught to recognise a cleared firearm as safe and the word ''RESPECT'' to other throughout their life.

Teaching children & adults about the safe handling of firearms is of utmost importance. Sooner or later these people will come in contact with a firearm, & they NEED to be informed for their own safety & for the safety of others.

At Yerrinbool the trains, motorway and soccer oval make more noise than the rifle range and I support any improvements the same as I would to a golf club or any other sporting complex

As a local and licenced shooter I support the modifications and approve of the development

I support more development at the shooting range at hill top

I have read through the proposals and think this is a great step forward for shooting sports in the southern highlands. I have had a look at the Clay Target layout, and whist a bit short on final detail, from what I can ascertain there will be four Trap layouts, I would like to see a Trench layout also included as this will expand the usability of the shot gun range.
I feel a lot of clubs in the area ours for one, would jump at the chance to use the shotgun facility if it caters for most disciplines.
Clay Target Clubs may also take the range up as their permanent home as most only shoot between 2 - 6 times a month.
A large club house that could cater for a number of clubs would be advantages, with wall to be able to put up honor boards and shields for each club. A full functioning kitchen and BBQ is also a must as the range is a long way from fast food shops.
If the government works in with the local clubs and takes advice as to what is required, this will be a huge success.

I have read through the proposals and think this is a great step forward for shooting sports in the southern highlands. I have had a look at the Clay Target layout, and whist a bit short on final detail, from what I can ascertain there will be four Trap layouts, I would like to see a Trench layout also included as this will expand the usability of the shot gun range.
I feel a lot of clubs in the area would jump at the chance to use the shotgun facility if it caters for most disciplines.
Clay Target Clubs may also take the range up as their permanent home as most only shoot between 2 - 6 times a month.
A large club house that could cater for a number of clubs would be advantages, with wall to be able to put up honor boards and shields for each club. A full functioning kitchen and BBQ is also a must as the range is a long way from fast food shops.
If the government works in with the local clubs and takes advice as to what is required, this will be a huge success.

I believe that this is a positive move which allows sporting shooters to continue using a facility that has been in use without actually causing any significant problems for quite a few years. It clear up misunderstandings in the local community and introduces best practice procedures thereby ensuring that no person will be harmed or bothered by the facility in the future. I believe the objections to the facility were based on emotion and not fact and that this is a good way of moving forward while protecting the rights of all people involved or affected by the facility.

I agree with the modifications and fully endorse this project. As a resident in a nearby area this complex will be of great benefit to not only local but national and international visitors.

I have been a competitive rifle shooter for 55 years and remember when almost every NSW town had a rifle range. Over the years I have seen the ever increasing closure of these ranges. This is a positive initiative from NSW Sport and a great asset to the district.

I strongly object to any changes regarding physical changes to the design of the 500m & 50m shooting ranges, modification to the approved plans and amendments to conditions of approval regarding the use of existing 800m range, hours of use, firearm noise limits, special events, independent auditing and reporting, the operational and environment Management plan and soil, water and contamination management.
I object to the changes as these conditions were put in place to protect the ambience of local residents living in a natural pristine bushland. I do not want the life I have spent over 20 years creating for my family to be impacted by a Regional Shooting Complex that has been developed within pristine bushland impacting on flora and fauna, polluting our water ways, creating noise on more days and longer hours with more people using the site, causing more traffic on poorly constructed roads. The Southern Highlands Regional Shooting Complex has no plans on contributing financially to improving roads or compensating residents. This complex gives nothing back to the community of Hill Top but takes our right to live peacefully amongst the bush.
As I stated in an email I wrote to Stephanie Calderaro and Planning Assessment Commission on the 12 March 2012 "Hill Top should never have been considered for this project in the first place as there were always far more negative reasons than positives if the Government was totally honest. It makes you wonder if this governments plan all along, put in a development that will get passed and later make amendments."
These proposed modifications will increase the noise, increase the times of operation, increase the amount of users and create a much larger complex that will effect this pristine bushland area we live in.

I support the shooting complex in Hill Top