Activities at shooting ranges can contaminate land, surface water and groundwater.
Shooting ranges include:
- rifle ranges
- pistol ranges
- clay target ranges
- field and game ranges.
Using ammunition generates waste. Ammunition waste contains metals such as:
Lead is found at shooting ranges in the highest levels because:
- it makes up the largest part of most ammunition
- it's used at most, if not all, shooting ranges.
Some larger shooting ranges can generate tens of tonnes of lead waste each year.
Using clay targets also generates waste. Clay target waste contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Exposure to lead, PAHs and other contamination from shooting ranges can harm human health and the environment.
Contamination from shooting ranges can spread to nearby land. For example, sports grounds, parks, housing or agricultural land. These areas may become unusable for certain activities, such as farming or sports.
Shooting ranges and the law
The general environmental duty applies to shooting ranges. Activities at shooting ranges can cause pollution and waste and can pose a risk to human health and the environment.
Shooting activities can result in contaminated land. Where there is contaminated land, those managing or controlling it also have legal duties:
These duties apply regardless of who caused the contamination.
Learn more about contaminated land.
Not eliminating or reducing the environmental risks from shooting ranges may result in:
- clean-up costs
- disruption of shooting range activities
- legal fees
- fines
- criminal charges.
Our role in shooting ranges
We provide guidance to help owners and operators of outdoor shooting ranges to minimise and manage contamination.
In 2019 we completed a statewide project about environmental risks on and from shooting ranges. As part of this project, we conducted targeted investigations. We also developed guidance about shooting ranges and environmental risk. This includes our Guide for managing contamination at shooting ranges.
We investigate contaminated land and groundwater. As part of our day-to-day regulatory work, we may investigate shooting ranges.
Learn more about our role in managing contaminated land and groundwater.
Impact of contaminated land at shooting ranges on your health
It's common for shooting ranges to be located near agricultural land. If agricultural land becomes impacted, people and animals can be exposed to contamination.
Grazing livestock, such as sheep and cattle, can ingest lead and PAHs by consuming plants and soil from contaminated land. People and other animals can be exposed by consuming contaminated meat or food products. Livestock travelling across a contaminated area can also transport contaminated soil.
Lead in soil can attach to cereal, fruit and vegetable crops. People or grazing animals who consume these crops can be exposed to this contamination.
Irrigating crops with lead-contaminated water can contaminate both the crops and the land.
Contaminated water can also harm foraging and aquatic animals.
Lead exposure can harm people's health. You can be exposed to lead at shooting ranges directly by:
- inhaling or ingesting lead during shooting range activities
- inhaling or ingesting lead dust that has attached to the soil or other materials in the area.
Other ways include:
- using a former shooting range for residential, recreational or agricultural purposes
- consuming meat and dairy products from animals that have grazed on contaminated land.
For more information about lead exposure and poisoning, visit the Victorian Government's Better Health Channel(opens in a new window).
PAHs found in some types of clay targets are classified as carcinogenic to humans. When clay target fragments are left on the land, PAHs can get into the soil. You can be exposed to PAHs from clay target fragments or contaminated soil through your skin, by contact, or by ingesting or inhaling dust.
For more information about PAHs, visit the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water(opens in a new window) website.
Learn more about reducing your exposure to contaminated soil.
Manage risk from contaminated land at shooting ranges
Owners and operators of outdoor shooting ranges must eliminate or reduce risks of harm from shooting range activities.
Managing risk helps you to:
- prevent harm to human health and the environment
- comply with your environmental duties and obligations
- meet community expectations.
We worked with the Victorian sports shooting community to develop the Guide for managing contamination at shooting ranges. This guide is for owners and operators of outdoor shooting ranges. Use the guide to:
- understand what you should reasonably know to manage risks from shooting range activities
- find examples of controls and good practices.
The guide is also useful when planning new shooting ranges.
To learn more about managing risk, visit risk management process.
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