Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announced that the NSW Crown Reserves Improvement Fund would provide $45,210 for a new amenities block, with two showers and toilets, suitable for disabled participants; a rainwater tank; septic system; and necessary pumps and plumbing.

"This upgrade will give the club a really good shot at hosting sporting shooters events,” Mr Marshall said.

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Range Committee secretary Evan Brown said the funding was a shot in the arm for locals, and for hosting events.

“This is really good for us, and for the community,” Mr Brown said; “it’s fantastic news.”

Organisers have already approached the club about hosting the 2020 Combined Services State Titles run by the Sporting Shooters Association, which has more than 55,000 licensed members in NSW.

“This funding will help attract more big-name events,” Mr Marshall said.

The range’s new ablutions block boasts an enviro-cycle septic system hooked up to it, and all the rainwater tank, guttering, and pumps.

Two toilets and two showers in a pre-fab block will have all the grab rails and equipment for wheelchair and disabled access.

The system will recycle water to the range and lawns, which lack access to town water.

The Emmaville range, just outside the village on the Glen Innes Road, was first established in the 1880s, and used as a World War I training range. It effectively closed in the 1950s and 1960s, but reopened for recreation 18 years ago.

Five clubs shoot at the range each weekend, including the Glen Innes Sporting Shooters, which has some 180 members. The range hosts both rifles and pistol groups, and is increasingly popular with women and younger children.

“The Emmaville Rife Range Committee is one of the most energetic and proactive shooting clubs in this region,” Mr Marshall said, 

The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund program ensured communities and visitors could continue to enjoy local land and facilities.

The latest funding follows a $26,219 grant Mr Marshall announced a year ago for an electrical infrastructure upgrade.

That funding allowed the club to move an existing 11kVA power pole; buy a new 25kVA transformer and metering equipment; and install an underground supply to the range, so that it could connect directly into mains power for the first time.

The first utility connected to the grid was their turning target system, installed last year thanks to another $23,000 NSW Government grant.

“We’ve had three major grants and we’re pretty happy about all that,” Mr Brown said. “We owe the State Government and our local member Adam a lot of thanks for getting us to where we are now.”