As the only range in the Nelson Tasman district available for police training, it wasn’t just the club shutting down that concerned [Nelson Waimea Clay Target Club president Martin O’Connor].
“When the shit hits the fan, you ring the police, and if the police don’t have adequate training defending themselves or using the weapons they’re armed with, what are the consequences of that?”
O’Connor believed noise mitigation measures would cost up to $250,000; astronomical for a club with no more than 70 members.
However, [complainant William Cameron] said the constant sound of gunfire was only acceptable in war zones.
“They feel this deep sense of entitlement around being there first.”
In response to questions from Stuff, the Tasman District Council noted that New Zealand law provided that a neighbouring landowner could not unreasonably interfere with the use and the enjoyment of someone’s property.
“The fact a complainant (or plaintiff) comes to the nuisance is no defence.”
This may effectively quash one of the ranges’ arguments, that Cameron knew who his neighbours were when he moved in.
Still, the clubs argue, the whole reason for being located where they are was to be far from the ears of residents.
Read more here. Discuss it on the BFD.