Horse rider injured after terror training exercise

An elite police training centre has promised not to blow things up on weekends after a rider was thrown from their horse and taken to hospital.

Police at a sod turning ceremony at the Counter Terrorism and Community Safety Centre at Wacol. It has agreed not to blow things up on the weekend after a horse rider was thrown last week. Picture: Liam Kidston

A rider was taken to hospital last week with two broken ribs when she was thrown by her horse during a counter terrorism exercise.

It is the latest in a string of noise and other complaints from long-suffering residents at Moggill in Brisbane’s west, but police have contacted an equestrian centre to say they would cease weekend explosives training.

Police have previously promised to notify residents before explosives were detonated or weapons training was due to take place at the police Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) site across the Brisbane River at Wacol.

While that usually happens, residents said they often were given only a day’s notice and often no notice of live weapons training.

On the day of the accident guns were being fired and strong winds carried the sounds across the river.

The State Government is also building a Counter Terrorism and Community Safety Centre nearby and an indoor live firing facility.

Counter Terrorism and Community Safety Training facility Specialist Officers training with explosives and high-powered weapons.

The SERT centre has now undertaken to give notice of training to residents four days ahead of time and restrict noisy training sessions to weekdays, 9am to 3pm.

“My thoughts are with the woman who her fell off her horse in this unfortunate incident,’’ Police Minister Mark Ryan said.

“I am advised that a full investigation of the matter is under way and that in the meantime police are updating their protocols to address any concerns.’’

Local MP, Dr Christian Rowan, said the injured rider was at the Rivergum Park agistment and equestrian centre when their horse was spooked on May 18.

An ambulance had to be called and the adult rider was hospitalised.

Live firing and explosions occur almost every day, neighbours say.

“My concern is there are a lot of children who use that equestrian centre,’’ Dr Rowan said.

“While anyone can be thrown, it’s fair to say children are usually less experienced and more likely to be injured.

“The last thing anyone would want is a tragedy where a child breaks their neck.

“While (the changes to procedures) is a positive outcome for local residents, it is incumbent on the Minister to ensure that all such steps, particularly in communicating with impacted residents, be strictly followed in order to avoid any further inconvenience and potentially-critical safety incidents.”

Dr Christian Rowan. Picture: AAP Image/Josh Woning

Dr Rowan wrote to Mr Ryan the day after the incident, reminding him that previous Minister Bill Byrne had promised as far back as 2016 to address the issue.

Dr Rowan had also been assured an indoor live firing facility would be completed later this year, which should minimise noise drifting across the river.

“Rivergum advises that explosions occur (on an irregular basis) and cause great distress to horses and equestrians,’’ he said in his letter to Mr Ryan.

It is believed the equestrian centre was satisfied with the police assurances and apology.

The incident comes after several complaints last year from residents further along Priors Pocket Rd, Moggill, about incessant construction noise at a nearby armoured vehicle manufacturing and testing facility.

Neighbours 100m away on the opposite side of the river from the Redbank facility were subjected to months of noise from pile drivers and construction vehicles, as well as clouds of dust.

Noise travelled so well they were able to hear State Government ministers speak at a ceremony on the site.