An application has been made to Benalla Rural City Council for a sand quarry to be approved at the entrance to Devenish.
Devenish resident June Howard said a community meeting had already been held to discuss the proposal.
Ms Howard said as a beautiful town on the North-East Art Trail, with three silo murals, residents were keen to ensure that nothing would detract from them, and the tourism they brought to the area.
“(We) were gobsmacked when (we) received notification from the council about this application,” Ms Howard said.
“(It was) totally out of the blue. We were given 14 days’ notice to put in an objection.
“Four of those days were weekends and two were public holidays, leaving a short time frame to find out what this is all about.”
Ms Howard said 44 residents attended the meeting.
“Most knew nothing at all about this,” she said.
"The sand quarry was discussed in length at the meeting and concerns raised.
“The outcome of the meeting was that each resident that is opposed to this application will send in an objection.
“The objection must be with council by Thursday, September 29.
“(We want to) keep Devenish clean and free from damaging sand dust and noisy trucks right at the entrance to town.”