The future is here
Allan Blane visits the SSAA’s latest shooting complex
The SSAA’s newest shooting range has been completed and is already preparing to host the Association’s Long Range Precision National Championships. The 1500-acre Allambi Shooting Complex at Ettrick, 25km north-east of Murray Bridge in South Australia, has been a massive project for two SA branch stalwarts for more than three years.
David Handyside, the state’s Senior Vice-President along with Executive Officer James Reeves and a recent ‘target crew’, have worked tirelessly since the branch secured the property in May 2021 and are rightly proud to be hosting a national event so soon after completion.
Following consultation with the SA State Council, the land was bought outright for more than $500,000 of their own funds with a further spend of $350,000 aided by a government grant of $170,000 from the SA Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing. It features five ranges including 1610m (one mile) and 1000m as well as facilities for shotgun and pistol.
But this isn’t just a shooting range as after extensive conservation work with ecologists and botanists, 500 acres have been planted with local mallee as an accredited carbon capture project. Said James Reeves: “Being a conservation organisation, we look at this property as an amazing and rare opportunity to learn from and, with careful planning, improve conservation outcomes in our immediate area, not only for the threatened malleefowl but for many other endangered species in the Murraylands region.”
Much thought went into the layout of the complex and the design is such it allows for all ranges to be used concurrently, thanks to input from Greg Dodd. They’ve been situated on the western side of the property with the vast majority of shooting done in an easterly direction. Mr Reeves added: “We’ve set aside more areas for future development as time and finances permit. It’s anticipated that money raised during the next 25 years from our carbon farming returns and range fees will help sustain our sport and ensure a proper budget to provide world-class facilities for shooters to enjoy.”
The property, which has its own bore water, also houses a historic three-bedroom freestone homestead, various other stone buildings and a shearing shed. As can be seen in Photo 1, the remnant native vegetation to the left isn’t ‘heritage agreed’, meaning it’s open to use as field shotgun, air-rifle and field archery.
Between native vegetation on the left and the Range 2 firing shed is an area which will be Range 1, believed to be Australia’s first civilian one-mile range for which future ‘King of the Mile’ matches are planned. Next is Range 2, a 65m-wide 40-position sheltered firing line, split in half with the 200 and 100m ranges having 20 benches each. To the right of the firing shed is an area set aside as Range 3, a multi-discipline shotgun facility currently under construction. The buildings on the bottom left are disabled toilets and storage, all run on solar power and rainwater.
In the middle of Photo 2 is the 1000m Range 4, suitable for all long-range shooting and Precision Rifle and capable of hosting the SSAA Long Range Precision National Championships. On the left of this is an area set aside for future development and already, SA’s Frontier Shooting Club has expressed a desire to move their Wild West town setup here, affording them room to spread out and grow their Single Action discipline. To the right among the trees is the original Allambi homestead and beyond that will be Range 5, a planned pistol shooting complex which will cater to most handgun disciplines.
Said Mr Reeves: “It’s our vision that Allambi will be a well-documented and shining example, demonstrating how we can co-exist as a safe and enjoyable shooting sport, at the same time being a conservation success. This’ll be a place where SSAA members can mingle, find common ground with and bring together other organisations we may have butted heads with in the past. Through setting some common goals and recognising our unique or expert set of skills, we can leave places better than we found them.”