Hill Top Residents Action Group (HTRAG) members were outraged by the decision which, they say, will trigger significant bushfire and traffic hazards

Shooters have accused the State Government of caving into the Greens by allowing outdoor shooting only eight hours per day, four days a week, instead of the proposed seven days a week.

The Greens have called on Premier Nathan Rees to over-rule Ms Keneally’s decision and order her to find a new location.

And Goulburn State MP Pru Goward is disappointed that traffic on the narrow single road in and out of Hill Top will only be reviewed after 12 months.

Residents have waged a three-year fight against the Southern Highlands Shooting Complex, which will include the existing 800 metre rifle range, as new pistol range, shotgun range, combined rifle and pistol range, indoor air pistol range and clubhouse.

The complex will cater for shooters from seven Southern Highlands and Illawarra Clubs.

Ms Keneally said, after visiting the site in December last year and meeting the community and rifle club members, she decided the project could go ahead with conditions in addition to those recommended by an independent panel.

The new conditions allow shooting on outdoor ranges between 9am and 5pm four days a week, including weekends, but will ban shooting on public holidays.

The effect of the complex on traffic and pedestrians will be reviewed after 12 months to consider what additional work might be needed.

“The panel said outdoor shooting could be permitted from 5pm to 8pm during daylight savings but I did not approve that because I was not convinced it would not have an unreasonable impact on local residents,” Ms Keneally said.

“In line with the panel’s recommendations, noise limits have been imposed and independent noise monitoring and reporting will be required quarterly for the first year and annually thereafter.”

However, HTRAG said the decision ignored community feedback asking for impact studies on the level and frequency of shooting to be heard at the school.

“This is highly premature and inappropriate,” HTRAG spokeswoman Jodie Laing said.

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Wednesday, February 11

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