This year has been a big year for RMIC volunteers and improvements on the SSAA ACT Inc. Range Complex.

The purpose of the RMIC is to maintain and manage improvements to the entire Range Complex, and support members and range users while maintaining safety and the member experience.

Over the last 12 months, the following maintenance and improvement projects have been completed:

• Electrical backbone project completed, providing additional power capacity to the Range Complex including TOB, Air Shed, Barricade, Silhouette, 35m, Turning Target, Moving Target and Falling Plate ranges, power to the Crater Range, increased capacity to the old club house for future redevelopment, connected all ranges to internet, power to the Facilities Shed, and decommissioned overhead powerlines.
• New concrete exit for Main Club House
• New roof to the Silhouette range.
• New compliant bridge between Silhouette and Barricade ranges;
• Additional disabled car parking at Air Shed and 35m ranges;
• New roof to Top 25m range.
• Additional covered firing line at one of the 50m Top Ranges;
• New concrete floor at TOB, cleaning of remaining concrete and application of sealant;
• New swale drain on internal road;
• New fencing between Top Ranges and Shotgun templates;
• New electronic targets in Air Shed;
• New air-conditioning to the Air Shed and TOB;
• Addition of handrails and kick panels for disabled access at Crater Range.
• New kitchen to the Main Club House;
• New Range signage across the Complex, including the addition of Gate signage to improve wayfinding.
• Additional defibrillator to the Main Club House;
• New lighting to the TOB, Crater and Main Ranges;
• Upgrades and addition of security and cameras across the Complex;
• Installation of electronic attendance systems across the Complex;
• Additional concrete to the Top Ranges to support accessibility and drainage
• Replacement of a number of toilets across the Complex bathrooms due to damage;
• Plumbing and drainage works and improvements to the TOB range;
• Addition of shelving and racking in various storage areas;
• Provision of additional storage containers to support disciplines and clubs.
• Removal and replacement of damaged furniture (tables and chairs) to various ranges;

In addition, the following projects are either being planned or are underway:

• Main club house access door replacement, with additional illuminated signage;
• Additional disabled car parking for Top Ranges, Barricade and TOB ranges;
• Shelters for Shotgun
• Investigating options to improve drainage at Shotgun around the carparks, garden beds, and Trench layout.
• Retaining wall at the 35m range;
• Safety sleeper wall at the Barricade range;
• Redevelopment of the old club house to an outdoor area with additional accessible bathroom facilities;
• Drainage, concrete and tree protection works for the 35m range;
• Expansion of the range lighting project to various ranges to facilitate better after hours access;
• Electronic access to the TOB and Crater ranges, with expansion planning underway.
• Remediation of the JMK, with the DA currently being progressed and plans drafted.

These projects are in addition to the ongoing maintenance that is required, with these tasks being:

• Weed spraying, mowing and whipper snipping across the whole Range Complex;
• Internal road grading, with addition of gravel;
• Pumping of dams and EPA water testing completed;
• Solar panel maintenance, minor replacements and regular cleaning;
• Discussions with ACT Parks, Urban Trees, ACT Roads and neighbouring lease holders about ongoing maintenance and schedules.
• Gutter cleaning across the whole Range Complex;
• Cleaning and general building maintenance

More information about what RMIC has achieved, including pictures, can be found here:

Range Management – SSAA ACT Inc

Do you know what is on the SSAA ACT Inc. Range Complex? If not, a new Complex map has been published here: Range Information – SSAA ACT Inc

To further improve communication and updates to members, the RMIC are now including 6-monthly updates to the SSAA ACT Inc. web site – the next update will be posted in January for the previous 6 months.

RMIC wish to thank all members who contribute to the development, maintenance and support in managing the Range Complex. It is a thankless role within the Association, particularly when most of the jobs are ordinary and rarely seen by the general membership.

Managing a Range Complex spread over 90 hectares and that comprises a 500m range, 2×100 meter ranges, a 200m range, shotgun fields comprising skeet, down-the-line, 5-stand, sporting clays and trench, a 10m air shed, an air rifle field, 4x50m ranges, 4x 25m ranges and a 35m range is no easy task.

Recently, a person who was instrumental in RMIC, acting as Secretary for many years, being involved in the remediation project and contributing to the reopening of many ranges across the Complex, passed away. Mark Bush supported the Association and its many members over the years, and he will be greatly missed by many.