Councillors voted 6-1 against a planning application that would have seen an old tobacco farm on Buffalo Creek Road turned into a ground water extraction site.

More than 49 residents objected to the application, saying it threatened their water supply, property value and the safety of their children.

One of the objectors, Bryan Meehan, said they were happy with the result but were prepared for Myrtleford Springs to appeal the decision at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

“We were very happy with the result, we felt that the council were actually listening to the residents more so than the applicant,” Mr Meehan said.

“But at the same time we’re not losing track of the fact that we believe this matter will go to VCAT.”

Mr Meehan said the group of concerned residents will retain the services of a senior counsel if it does.

“In addition to that we’ll have expert witnesses on things like sound, engineering, water hydrology and everything else we can bring to our disposal,” he said.

“We’re going to fight it with every last breath of energy we’ve got.”

The application, to draw up to 100 megalitres of water, would have seen up to 30 B-doubles a week operating from the revised time of 7am to 9pm on weekdays and 7am to 7pm on weekends, trucking the water to East Albury’s H20 plant for bottling.

Alpine Council chief executive Ian Nicholls said council officers recommended issuing a permit.

But Cr Peter Roper was the only councillor who voted in favour issuing a permit.

Mr Nicholls said other councillors were concerned with amenity issues including truck movements.

“We’re well aware that it will probably go to VCAT but councillors felt strongly enough to vote against the proposal,” he said.