Proposal for a Council-Owned 100-Metre Indoor Shooting Sports Facility in the Wollongong Local Government Area

Petition

We, the undersigned residents, sporting participants, community members and supporters of recreational and competitive shooting sports, respectfully petition Wollongong City Council to investigate, plan and support the development of a Council-owned 100-metre indoor shooting sports facility within the Wollongong Local Government Area (LGA).

We ask Council to undertake a formal feasibility study into the development of a modern, purpose-built facility that would provide a safe, accessible and professionally managed venue for approved shooting sports, training, competition and community participation.

Why Wollongong Needs This Facility

Shooting is an established sporting activity in Australia and NSW, with disciplines ranging from target and precision shooting to Olympic and Commonwealth sporting disciplines. The NSW Government's current Safe Shooting Program specifically identifies the need for safe, inclusive and accessible shooting environments and supports improvements to shooting facilities across NSW.

At the same time, Wollongong is experiencing continued demand for sporting infrastructure. Council has acknowledged that existing facilities are under increasing pressure and has identified the need to accommodate a diverse range of sports, including emerging and independent recreational pursuits.

A purpose-built indoor facility would provide an opportunity for Wollongong to respond to this demand while creating a controlled, professionally operated environment specifically designed around safety, accessibility and regulatory compliance.

1. Supporting a Growing and Diverse Sporting Community

A dedicated indoor shooting facility would provide opportunities for:

Recreational participants and beginners;
Competitive target shooters;
Junior and youth development programs;
Women and girls participating in shooting sports;
People with disabilities and accessibility requirements;
Local sporting clubs and associations;
Accredited coaching and training programs;
Officials, referees and competition development;
School and community sporting programs where appropriate;
Regional and state-level competitions and events.
A modern facility could also help reduce barriers to participation by providing reliable, all-weather access to the sport.

This approach is consistent with Wollongong City Council's stated objective of increasing opportunities to participate in sport and investing in infrastructure that supports emerging sports and independent recreational pursuits.

2. Improving Safety in the Community

A purpose-built indoor range would allow shooting sports to take place in an environment specifically engineered and managed for that purpose.

The facility could incorporate, subject to detailed design and regulatory approval:

Professionally designed range infrastructure;
Appropriate ballistic containment;
Controlled entry and exit arrangements;
Secure storage and access controls;
Modern target systems;
Appropriate ventilation and air-quality management;
Noise management;
Comprehensive safety procedures;
Qualified range supervision;
Mandatory induction and safety briefings;
Appropriate emergency procedures;
CCTV and security systems;
Accessible facilities for participants of different abilities.
The NSW Government has identified improving the safety and quality of shooting facilities as an important objective of its Safe Shooting Program.

Importantly, this proposal is not about increasing uncontrolled firearm use in the community. It is about providing a dedicated, highly regulated sporting environment where lawful shooting activities can be conducted under professional supervision and appropriate safety standards.

A Council-owned facility could establish a clear standard for responsible sporting participation, safety education and compliance.

3. A Potential Long-Term Investment for Council

The proposed facility should be assessed not simply as an expense, but as a potential long-term community asset and revenue-generating sporting facility.

A feasibility study could examine revenue streams including:

Lane and range hire;
Memberships;
Competition and event fees;
Coaching and accredited training;
Club and association hire;
Venue hire;
Sporting events;
Retail or ancillary services where legally and appropriately permitted;
Sponsorship opportunities;
Naming rights;
Partnerships with sporting organisations;
Grants and government funding.
A well-designed facility could operate under a sustainable commercial model, with user fees contributing towards staffing, maintenance, insurance, utilities, asset renewal and long-term operating costs.

The proposal therefore asks Council to investigate the full financial business case, including construction costs, operating costs, projected participation, revenue, economic benefits, funding opportunities and whole-of-life asset costs before any final commitment is made.

This approach aligns with Council's existing sporting-facility principles, which recognise the importance of financial feasibility, whole-of-life costs, community demand and optimisation of sporting infrastructure.

4. Keeping Sporting Participation Within the Wollongong LGA

At present, people interested in shooting sports may need to travel outside the Wollongong LGA to access suitable facilities.

A local, purpose-built facility would allow residents to participate closer to home and could attract participants from across the wider Illawarra region.

This could provide flow-on economic benefits through:

Increased local visitor spending;
Sporting competitions and events;
Accommodation demand;
Hospitality and food businesses;
Local employment;
Coaching and sporting services;
Increased participation in local sporting organisations.
A 100-metre indoor facility could potentially become a regional sporting destination rather than simply a local community range.

5. Supporting Wollongong's Sporting Infrastructure Strategy

Wollongong City Council has already identified the importance of providing diverse, sustainable and functional sporting infrastructure that supports active, safe and inclusive participation.

Its sporting facilities strategy also identifies the need to strategically plan new sporting facilities, support emerging recreation pursuits, strengthen partnerships with clubs and associations, and attract sporting events and tourism.

A purpose-built indoor shooting facility would provide an opportunity to apply these principles to a sporting code that currently has limited dedicated infrastructure within the LGA.

6. Accessibility and Inclusion

The proposed facility should be designed from the outset to maximise accessibility.

This should include consideration of:

Accessible parking;
Step-free access;
Accessible amenities;
Suitable shooting positions for people with disabilities;
Appropriate facilities for women and girls;
Junior participation programs;
Inclusive coaching;
Safe and welcoming club environments.
The NSW Government's current shooting-facility funding program specifically identifies increasing participation among women and girls, people with disability, First Nations peoples and culturally diverse communities as an objective.

7. A Facility Designed for the Future

Rather than relying on ageing or unsuitable infrastructure, Wollongong has an opportunity to investigate a modern facility designed specifically for contemporary sporting requirements.

The proposed facility could include approximately 100 metres of indoor shooting capability, with the final number and configuration of lanes determined through professional feasibility, engineering, environmental, planning and regulatory assessments.

The facility should be designed to meet all applicable NSW laws, planning requirements, firearms regulations, environmental requirements and relevant sporting standards.

What We Are Asking Wollongong City Council To Do

We respectfully request that Wollongong City Council:

Undertake a formal feasibility study into a Council-owned 100-metre indoor shooting sports facility within the Wollongong LGA.
Identify suitable Council-owned or otherwise appropriate sites for consideration, taking into account planning, transport, surrounding land uses, environmental considerations and community impacts.
Consult with relevant shooting sporting organisations, clubs, residents and community stakeholders during the feasibility process.
Investigate potential partnerships and funding opportunities involving NSW Government programs, sporting organisations, community groups and private-sector partners.
Develop a detailed business case examining capital costs, operating costs, projected participation, revenue opportunities, economic benefits and whole-of-life financial sustainability.
Assess the community safety benefits of providing a purpose-built, professionally managed and highly regulated sporting environment.
Consider the facility as part of Council's broader long-term indoor sports and recreation infrastructure planning.
If the feasibility study demonstrates that the project is financially, socially, environmentally and operationally viable, progress the proposal towards design, funding and delivery.
Conclusion

Wollongong is a growing city with increasing demand for diverse sporting infrastructure. Council has already recognised the need to plan for emerging sports, expand sporting opportunities and provide safe, accessible and financially sustainable facilities.

A Council-owned 100-metre indoor shooting sports facility could provide a significant new sporting opportunity for residents while supporting participation, safety, accessibility, regional sporting events and potential long-term revenue for Council.

Most importantly, this petition does not ask Council to commit immediately to construction. It asks Council to investigate the opportunity properly and determine whether a professionally designed, appropriately regulated and financially sustainable facility can be delivered for the benefit of the Wollongong community.

We therefore respectfully request that Wollongong City Council support the investigation of a Council-owned 100-metre indoor shooting sports facility for the Wollongong LGA.

We support investment in safe, accessible, inclusive and sustainable sporting infrastructure for Wollongong's future.

Petitioner's Details

Name:  Sporting Shooter Association of Australia (represented by Graeme Johnson) and Illawarra Hunting Club (represented by Christopher Dorahy)

Address/Suburb: Wollongong, Fairy Meadow

Date: 01 October 2026

 

Council Consideration

Petition submitted to:
Wollongong City Council

Subject:
Council-owned 100-metre indoor shooting sports facility for the Wollongong LGA

Primary request:
Formal feasibility study and business case for a purpose-built, Council-owned indoor shooting sports facility.