New range still out of sight for Gympie gun enthusiasts

Gympie sporting shooter clubs are still waiting for a once promised new range complex after the Victory Range Complex was abolished more than 20 years ago. As we continue to campaign to Save Our Sport, read the latest on this issue as we speak with Ron Owen:

Gympie sporting shooters are still waiting for better facilities since rail tracks were built through the former Victory Range Complex more than two decades ago.

Gun shop owner and president of the Cooloola Range Complex Association, Ron Owen, said on Tuesday that Gympie shooting clubs had been fighting for a regional sporting shooting range since 1994.

Mr Owen said there were serious talks with the state government about a shooting complex for Gympie’s gun enthusiasts at Corella Wood Rd Forestry after the Victory Range Complex was closed in the late 1980s.

An Agreement in Principle was put into place to freehold the Corella Wood Rd Forestry area for a shooting complex, before plans were changed.

Gympie Regional Council had allocated $1 million for sport expansion in Gympie in 2021, but that was cut by 90 per cent in October 2021, before being completely axed in April 2022.

Many shooters in Gympie must drive several hours to Brisbane and other locations to use an appropriately large shooting range.

Proposals were sent to the Gympie council in 2020 and 2021, but Mr Owen is still waiting for a response, he said.

Mr Owen said the proposed gun range at Corella Wood Rd Forestry could provide for the 2032 Summer Olympics held in Brisbane.

This would offer a 1km long rifle range with a 2km safety zone, as well as other provisions for the proposed regional range.

All shooting clubs in Gympie were in agreement for a new range, he said.

Shooting has always been a popular sport in the Gympie region, and Mr Owen said it taught young people about safety and discipline.

Gympie’s small shooting clubs and facilities brought people to town, Mr Owen said.

The Gympie Times is advocating for more sport fields and facilities in Gympie, with our SOS: Save Our Sport campaign. Sport is an integral part of the fabric of this region, is important for physical and mental health, staying connected and giving our young people something to do. It is vital that our local, state and federal representatives realise this importance and ensure infrastructure is maintained to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population.

If your club has a story to tell, please contact [e-mail]