GEORGES Creek couple Ian and Karen Hillas have vowed to keep fighting for permission to establish a paintball facility on their property despite rejection of the plan from Towong Shire yesterday.
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The council unanimously voted against the planning application with the biggest stumbling block being upgrades to Mulholland Road to provide safe access for those attending the facility.
Mr Hillas, who sat in the public gallery as three neighbouring residents spoke against the plan, said the "goal posts kept moving" and didn't rule out heading to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal or the Ombudsman to have the decision overturned.
"We might have lost the first round, but we've got the second and third to play out yet," he said.
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He claimed he had only become aware of the road upgrade requirements last Friday when the meeting agenda was released despite a traffic impact assessment report sitting with council since May last year.
Cr Aaron Scales unsuccessfully attempted to have the matter deferred to investigate other potential access routes and felt the applicants had been "blindsided a little bit" about the works required on Mulholland Road which would have been at their expense.
First speaker to oppose the plan, Brenda Haysey said "people playing with guns has no place in Georges Creek" and another objector, Craig Baker said it was a "misplaced commercial enterprise".
But, Mrs Hillas said the paintball plan had attracted a high level of support despite the objections.
Cr Andrew Whitehead and Cr Jennie Star moved and seconded the staff recommendation to refuse the paintball application.
"The issues with the road are significant and also the amenity for the people along the road is a concern to me," he said.
Cr Scales agreed the road issues were significant, but fully supported the rest of the application.
"It ticks the boxes and yes there are some issues, but they can be overcome with conditions," he said.
"It would be fantastic to have in Towong Shire."
Planning consultant Shannon Neil confirmed the facility wouldn't cause "detrimental aesthetic impact on the surrounding environment" and noise front paintball games would be buffered by existing vegetation.
"It is unlikely this noise will be any more imposing than the noise currently generated through existing agricultural operations and the quarry in the area," she said.
"It's not to say the noise won't be heard, but whether it is considered to have detrimental impact is unlikely."
A maximum of 20 people would have been on site for a paintball session.
