New shooting range opened at Esk by Shooters Union

It’s taken more than five years of hard work, but the Esk branch of Shooters Union Queensland successfully opened a brand-new shooting range last weekend.

The 200m rifle, shotgun and pistol range officially opened on Saturday, 11 April, with Somerset Regional Council Mayor Jason Wendt cutting the ribbon and Esk Shooters Union member Keith Pratt having the honour of firing the first shot on the newly opened range, using a 1906 Bayard 12ga side-by-side black powder shotgun.

The range is located outside the town in the Brisbane Valley region of Queensland and around 50 people were at the opening, including Shooters Union Esk branch members, members of the Shooters Union executive, Somerset Regional Council councillors and staff, Queensland Police representatives and local residents.

Shooters Union Esk branch president Michael Jess said it had been a “long and challenging” journey to get the range open, with the project first getting underway in 2020.

“This achievement didn’t happen overnight and it certainly didn’t happen without support,” he said, highlighting the invaluable work done by members including Phil McCone, Craig Allen and Ross Lillistone.

“I would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Shooters Union Queensland; they have been the biggest supporters of us,” he said.

“To the Esk branch members: Thank you for your patience, your belief in the vision and for being part of this journey.

“With the range officially approved, we are excited about the opportunities ahead.”

Somerset Regional Council Mayor Jason Wendt said the range had the full support of the council, and praised the way the community had come together to get the range approved and constructed.

The range will be open to the public in due course, with the specific dates to be announced soon.

The next stages of the range’s development include an amenities building, improved access roads, a covered firing line, and a machine shed for storing maintenance equipment.

The Esk Shooters Union branch range is located at 331 Esk Hampton Rd, Esk (the current, temporary entry is just before Redbank Creek crossing No 2). 

The range is on a working farm, so when opened to the public will be available on Saturdays and Sundays, 9am-5pm, with a maximum for 25 shooters at a time.

For more information, contact the Esk branch of Shooters Union Queensland via their Facebook page or e-mail eskshootersunion@gmail.com.