Peninsular Firearm Academy hits back at residents over major increase plans for shooting days

A Sydney shooting range is defending plans for a major increase in the number of days it can operate after sparking a furious backlash from residents living within earshot of the site.

A photo inside the facility.

A Sydney shooting range is defending plans for a major increase in the number of days it can operate amid furious backlash from residents living within earshot of the site.

Noise, environmental concerns and impacts on house prices are among objections raised by fired up residents following a proposal by the Peninsular Firearm Academy at Terrey Hills to boost its operating hours.

The shooting range has council approval to open its doors one Sunday per month – a limit the academy now wants to increase to five sessions per week and an evening session.

The volunteer-run academy has operated for the last decade near the St Ives Showground and was established with the aim “of promoting the sport of target shooting and to help and encourage juniors and members in the safe use of firearms”.

A planner for the project said the increase would address “current limitations” on the site, which club officials say “impinges” the use of the site for its 500 members.

Firearm academy photos

Firearm academy photos

But neighbours say the proposal could cause unacceptable noise and mental health impacts with local homeowner Adam Browns describing the proposal as a “sound invasion”

The nearest homes are about 1km away from the academy, however residents say they are still able to hear the sounds of gunshots.

“This proposal will compound the frequency and loudness of shots heard (and) add almost continuous noise everyday,” resident Helen Rowe added.

One resident said the community already endures “constant barrages of shots being fired”, while other neighbours fear the intensification of use could disturb wildlife including native possums and microbats.

A photo of the site, which currently has approval to operate once a month.

“I have lived in Duffys Forest for 24 years and during that time have had the enjoyment of my property significantly impacted by offensive gun noise,” Resident Angie Beale wrote in a submission.

Academy chairman Tony Garland has staunchly defended the plans, saying the opposition was being “stirred up” by a vocal ministry of residents.

“Most of the people have never even seen the place, we’ve invited them to come down to look but not one person has taken us up on the offer,” he said.

“A lot of the opponents don’t like firearms and it wouldn’t matter what we did, they would oppose it.

Tony Garland has defended the academy’s proposal.

“We’ve had all kinds of complaints about bullets flying out of the sky and contamination from lead bullets which is just crazy.”

“I think a lot of people hear on the news about shootings in America – but the gun laws we have in Australia are the toughest in the world, particularly in NSW.

“You have to go through a rigorous application process before you can even get a firearms licence, and even then you can’t just walk into a shop and buy a gun.”

Mr Garland said the proposal would address current demand for the facility.

“Our members include a church minister, doctors, lawyers, tradesmen, probably one-third are retirees,” he said.

A photo of the site.

“At the moment the poor buggers have to stand in line for two hours before they can have a shoot - what we’re asking for is to spread that usage out so it’s not a bum-rush once a month.”

The plans have been lodged with Northern Beaches Council and remain under assessment.

If approved, the club would have approval to open from Tuesdays to Saturdays between 10am and 5pm and on Wednesday nights between 5pm and 9pm. There would also be a noise limit of 85dB which the academy says would address noise impacts on residents.Plans to the council stated the usage would enable the use of the facility in the same way other recreation activities require outdoor facilities including “lawn bowls, equestrian sports, skateboarding and go-karting”.