An Upper Murray paintball facility could be up and running at Easter next year after a Georges Creek couple had Towong Shire's rejection of the tourism venture overturned at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
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In handing down his verdict in favour of the couple, VCAT member Peter Gaschk directed council to issue a permit for the facility subject to conditions addressing upgrades and safety improvements to Mulholland Road, Bridle Track and the internal access road.
Also, paintball at the venue is off-limits on Good Friday, Anzac Day and Christmas Day.
It also can't be played Monday to Friday before 8am or after 8pm and Saturday and Sunday before 8am or after 8pm and there must be a 1.5 hour break between each session to assist with traffic entering and exiting facility.
Mrs Hillas said there was no need for the matter to end up at VCAT.
"It's a real shame the shire didn't think they could sit around the table and sort this out," she said.
"There isn't a whole lot in the conditions that couldn't have been negotiated.
"The shire hired a barrister and then we had to hire a barrister.
"There has been a lot of ratepayer money wasted.
"There is not a great deal that needs to be done under the conditions handed down.
"Certainly nothing that would have stopped us going ahead with the application."
Towong Shire must issue a permit for the facility within three days of the first council since the decision was handed down.
The council has two new faces since the 2019 rejection of the facility.
Towong mayor David Wortmann said councillors would discuss the VCAT ruling as group for the first time today at a scheduled briefing ahead of its next meeting on December 9.
Wodonga-based Upper House member Tim Quilty raised the issue in the Victorian parliament and argued council should be embracing tourism ventures to generate further economic activity.
"It will be a great thing for the area," he said.
"I support the sport and I'm really glad it has got through.
"When it's open I will go up there play some paintball."
The Country Fire Authority was represented at the VCAT hearing held in September by Stephen Foster.
The authority acknowledged the site had the potential to be impacted by bushfire, but was satisfied the risk could be addressed with specific protection measures contained in the conditions of consent.
Mr Gaschk's orders concluded: "I find the proposal is consistent with relevant state and local policy provisions and objectives set out in the (planning) scheme.
"(It) provides a satisfactory and appropriate response to the purposes and objectives of the rural activity zone.
"With suitable conditions addressing upgrades and safety improvements to Mulholland Road, Bridle Track and the internal access road, I find the proposal is an acceptable planning outcome on the review site."
