Council to give pistol club shot in the arm

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GISBORNE district councillors accept that relocation costs for Gisborne Pistol Club are too onerous and will pick up additional costs, including acting as a guarantor for the $50,000 resource consent bond.

The club is moving from Gaddums Hill to a new site at Waerenga o Kuri because of noise concerns from people living in the nearby area.

Councillors also decided to allocate up to $15,000 from the existing capital budget to assist with surfacing of a vehicle crossing and development of an onsite car park.

During discussions several councillors made comments implying the council were or “may have been” responsible for the club having to move from its current site after the nearby area was zoned residential and houses were built close to the club, which has been at the site for 27 years.

Simon Benge, of the pistol club, said it already faced numerous relocating costs at great expense. The $50,000 bond had never previously been discussed with the club until it appeared in the draft lease. The club did not have such funds.

Members had already spent $15,800 on relocation costs but were grateful for the council previously granting $10,000 to help.

A drawn-out processTerry O’Neill, representing Gaddum’s Hill residents, said the review process and searching for a new site had dragged on for some years.

He asked the council to create a schedule as residents wanted to see action taken.

Pat Seymour said the council should waive the $50,000, which she described as punitive.

‘We’ve already given one organisation (in reference to the Papawhariki Trust) $45,000.”

Soil tests should be conducted at the cost of the council, said Mrs Seymour.

Rehette Stolz agreed. The club had to move through no fault of its own. The council could handle the costs of soil testing, she said.

“The council’s decision has shown our commitment to getting this sorted for residents and the club,” said chief executive Judy Campbell.

Gisborne Pistol Club has 29 members while Gisborne police and army personnel also use the club’s shooting range for training.

A 24-year lease agreement will be negotiated for the new site.