www.pfainc.org.au

Why is the Club installing security cameras in the ranges, car park and on the track ?

The cameras are being installed to help ensure that the range opening  time conditions are adhered to, as well as enhancing the security of the Club’s property. It is otherwise difficult for us to rebut accusations regarding range activity outside of authorised hours. In addition, we will demonstrate that we are competent managers of the facility.

As there may be additional publicity regarding the range, it is considered prudent to provide an element of security for our property.

How do the cameras work ?

The cameras used are ‘trail’ cameras of the type used by hunters and wild life photographers.

They have a 12m camera with a SD card to store images.

They can be programmed to take a still photo and then a video.

They will be programmed not to ‘waste’ photos during scheduled match times.

The cameras are fitted with a sim card which enables the sending of a real time message and photo to certain members of the Committee. This will allow a swift and appropriate response if such a need arises.

The cameras each use 8 AA batteries which it is claimed will last for up to six months. As our activity may be more than usual, the lifespan may be somewhat shorter.

Certain cameras have an infrared capability for night-time coverage.

Won’t the cameras themselves get stolen or vandalised ?

Each camera is in a padlocked metal box which is secured by chain to a large tree or through a wall.

As the cameras have a sim card installed, they send photos back which would give evidence of any tampering. The number of cameras allows a comprehensive cover of activity on the range and its surrounds.

How can the Club afford all this ?

The cost of the cameras averages around $200.

In addition there is the cost of the protection boxes, padlocks and sim cards.

Overall the outlays have not been excessive and the Committee considers it as a necessary expense to safeguard the continuity of SIPC.

WHAT YOU SAID

(comments printed in the Manly Daily)

“I look forward to the day when the range is up and running and the general public of the north can see what a fantastic pastime and hobby shooting is and how normal shooters really are.”

Derek  Barratt­-Thompson

I think this range will be a wonderful asset to our area. There are many thousands of shooting sports enthusiasts on the northern beaches and we currently have to travel a long way to use a shooting range.”

Pete Watman

Firearm owners as a group are the MOST law abiding Australian citizens, because to have a firearms licence you cannot have a criminal record or current AVO ”

Dal Birrell

The fact that a club that has no facilities of its own already has approximately 600 members shows how popular this Olympic sport is in the Manly-Warringah/Peninsula area.”

Greg Borrowman

A DEVELOPMENT application has been lodged with Warringah Council for a $1.2 million rifle range and clubhouse on degraded land at Terrey Hills that was a former quarry and then a dump.
The DA has been lodged by the Peninsular Firearm Academy, which until now has only been able to use the nearby St Ives Pistol Club’s range once a month and only for rimfire rifle that have a low range.
Academy secretary Tere Alexeeff said the organization has worked with the Police Firearm Registry to design a “no-danger” rifle range that ensures no projectiles can escape the range.
She said tall concrete walls will line both sides of the range, at the end of which will be a 15m-high mound with baffles that prevent bullets leaving the range and traps that collect them so the lead can be recycled.
She said no guns or ammunition will be stored on site.
The club was formed in 1996 but has been forced to use the nearby pistol club range, which has been in existence since the 1960s, and has been working on developing its own range for about 10 years.
“All rifle clubs are very highly regulated by the Firearm Registry and we had to satisfy all their requirements even before we could lodge a DA with the council,” she said.
The club has a membership of about 600 but only 60 to 80 come to the once a month shooting events at the pistol club.
We have members ranging in age from 12 to 94 but our focus is on training young people in the safe handling of firearms,” she said.
Warringah Greens councilor Conny Harris said she has concerns about the environmental impacts but said if approved, the Manly Vale rifle range could close and the two could join forces. END
To view the complete article and pictures online. Go to, http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/under-the-gun/
“Do you support the plans to build a rifle range at Terrey Hills?”
A request for comments (above) was also posted with 105 respondents so far and of those, only two were not 100% positive.
One of these two referred to the DA as being an extension on the existing gun club (Duffys Forest, shotgun) which was incorrect. The two clubs are quite a distance apart and not connected in any way.
So 103 positives has surely got to be a good sign