The group of Nagambie residents had objected to the development of the Elloura Estate, near Barkley Park, Nagambie, which would have destroyed 51 grassy box woodland trees, some of which are hundreds of years old.
A 49-hectare village was planned by Hallmarc and was set to feature a tennis court, swimming pool, gym, function room and play area.
In February, a decision on the project was fast-tracked to a standing advisory committee which had been accelerating "priority projects" to bolster Victoria's economic recovery, and last week Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne’s office handed down the verdict: the trees would stay.
Save 51 Trees member and Longwood Plains Catchment Network chairperson Rhonda Robinson said the group was “very excited” by the news.
It’s not just group members who have celebrated, either.
While they were talking to the media, one driver rolled past with a window down and called out “well done saving those trees”.
“It has been surprising the number of people you know. Lots of little old ladies came up to the church on Sunday and said well done,” Mrs Robinson said.
“You wouldn't have thought that they would have been that interested, but it’s an iconic patch of woodland right here in the heart of Nagambie.”
Developer Hallmarc has 28 days to lodge an appeal at the Supreme Court, something Mrs Robinson didn’t expect would happen, but she’s “not popping the champagne just yet”.
There had been sleepless nights over the nearly 10 months of waiting, which Mrs Robinson said would have been quicker had the group been able to go to VCAT, which was scheduled for May.
She said it was a win for “people power” in the town, and developers would need to take notice before trying to remove swathes of bushland.
Hallmarc didn’t respond to requests for comment.
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