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The Vipassana Meditation Centre has won its fight to close down the shooting range in Makarau.
The Court of Appeal has upheld an appeal by the Vipassana Foundation Charitable Trust Board against a Certificate of Compliance granted to the Auckland Shooting Club.
The decision removes the ability of the club to operate a shooting range from its site at 287 Tuhirangi Road in Makarau Valley.
The Trust Board has called on Auckland Council to enforce the ruling so that all shooting activities at the club facility at 287 Tuhirangi Road cease immediately.
Vipassana trustee Kirsty McKay is delighted with the result, which has been long awaited.
She says it is a concern that Council staff knew that the club was operating beyond the terms of its Certificate of Compliance, but took no effective action.
“Members of the community are looking forward to peace and quiet being restored in the Makarau Valley.”
Ms McKay said the Court of Appeal concluded that Council had insufficient information to allow it to properly assess the extent of earthworks involved in the proposed activity, and on that basis the Certificate of Compliance should not have been issued.
However, the court did not accept other arguments raised by the Trust Board in relation to the discharge of lead bullets and noise from gunfire activities.
The Trust Board said it would consider these aspects of the court’s decision.
