The rifle complex, an extension of the existing Hill Top range, was announced last year by the Department of Arts, Sport and Recreation and is due to be completed later this year.

But recent noise tests, designed to gauge the level of noise the increased gunfire will cause, have been conducted only half-heartedly, according to the range's closest neighbour Marbecc Webb.

"Last time they conducted noise tests, they put them in when no one was out on the range firing and the whole area was deliberately quiet," she said.

"And they located them on a property that was not one of the closest sites- what kind of results are you going to get by doing that?

"They're certainly being very sly about the whole thing."

Full story, SHN, Monday, February 26, 2007.