Indoor gun range proposed for popular Christies Beach shopping strip

THERE are plans to turn a one-time bank in Adelaide’s south into an indoor shooting range and gun shop.

A SHOOTING range and gun shop could open on Beach Rd, Christies Beach, under plans by a local businessman.

The indoor range would be open seven days a week at a former bank at 51 Beach Rd.

It would include four shooting lanes, encased in steel and layers of reinforced composite bullet proof sheeting.

The man behind the plan would only give his name as Peter to avoid becoming a target of gun thefts.

He said the range would allow the south’s recreational shooters to practise locally instead of travelling to the city.

“It (would be) the only shooting range in the south and it will definitely attract more people down here,” Peter said.

He said the range and gun shop would not pose a danger to the public or other businesses.

“This industry is massively regulated by the authorities. You cannot just come in and buy a gun, it doesn’t happen that way,” he said.

“When people come into shoot, they have to meet a certain criteria. As long as we are comfortable with them, only then will they be allowed to shoot.”

Development plans for the shooting range have been lodged with Onkaparinga Council.

The council wrote to 34 property owners within 60 metres of the proposed site, none of whom have lodged an objection to the plan.

CJ’s Bakery co-owner Andrew Sutton said he was in two minds about the gun range.

“I am not against it but it would not be my choice (of business),” Mr Sutton said.

“In the long term I think it will do the street some good, it is an activity that would bring people to the area.

“Those people who don’t do the right thing (criminals) aren’t going to come and use it because the regulations are just going to be too tight.”

Allan Martin lives about 30 metres from the rear of the premises and said he had no problems with the shooting range.

“Most of the other residents in the area couldn’t care less, but I have one friend up the road who is dead against it,” Mr Martin said.

Kaye Neilson, who owns Magical Crystal Forrest near the site, said she did not have enough information on the proposal.

“We would like to know what is involved and how would it affect our business,” Ms Neilson said.

“It could be a good thing or it could be a bad thing.”

As the council received no formal objections, the application will likely be assessed by council staff instead of going before the Development Assessment Panel.

The application is also before the Environmental Protection Authority.