If a man's home is his castle, then Rachael Matuschka owns a palace with a spectacular view.
High on a hill in Portland's Dutton Way, about four hours' west of Melbourne, Ms Matuschka's home overlooks verdant green fields with breathtaking views of the Southern Ocean.
During winter she's in prime position to watch as the region's southern right whale cow and calf pairings frolic near the shore, while summer brings its own ocean-side delights.
"There's something about Dutton Way, it's the serenity," Ms Matuschka says.
That serenity — like the famous magical hum of Bonnie Doon in the movie The Castle — is the drawcard for most of the residents.
But if a new proposal to build the Southern Hemisphere's largest on-land abalone farm is approved, all that could change.
And that will mean Ms Matuschka will need to summon her inner Darryl Kerrigan to fight for her patch of paradise.
Ready to fight again
It's not the first time Ms Matuschka has had to challenge "big business" on behalf of the little guy.
When the Glenelg Shire Council approved a planning permit for the abalone operation in 2018, about two-thirds of the residents of Dutton Way — along with the nearby Port of Portland — took the company behind the plan and the local shire to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
The matter was resolved on Christmas Eve, 2020, with three tribunal members rejecting the proposal based on the "unacceptable impact" it would have on the visual amenity of the town.
However, 21 months on, the locals are preparing to fight again.
Operators Yumbah Aquaculture have applied directly to the Victorian Planning Minister, Richard Wynne, to have a revised proposal approved through the government’s Development Facilitation Program.
"We were in total shock and disbelief that they could overturn this decision just by going through the planning minister" Ms Matuschka said.
"We're feeling rather bullied at the moment, it doesn't quite feel fair at all."
Ms Matuschka says the new plan includes buildings and other facilities that will make it about the size of 10 football ovals.
"This went through the normal planning process. It should have been put to bed when three [VCAT tribunal] members said no," she said.
'We've listened', company says
Yumbah Aquaculture has defended its actions, stating that it is pleased the state government's program has recognised its plans.
A company spokesman said the new proposal provided substantial public benefit and would keep people in jobs — creating 235 direct and indirect positions throughout the farm's construction and operation.
"The revised proposal addresses visual amenity and issues of scale raised by VCAT that prevented the earlier proposal from proceeding," the spokesperson said.
"All neighbours and other stakeholders were formally notified by the state government of the proposal and the process, and how to make their own views known."
Local Steve Owens, and a number of other residents, are making their views known in a very obvious way. Mr Owens' sign opposing the farm is bigger than the town's welcome sign.
"I feel proud to have that sign there, " Mr Owens said.
"We don't want it there, this should have all been done and dealt with."
The state government wouldn't be drawn on the process, confirming an application had been received and that a decision would be made "in line with relevant legislation and following community consultation".
That means the residents of Dutton Way are stuck playing waiting game.
Ms Matuschka said she would not back down, no matter how long it took.
"At this stage, I'm just hoping that the planning minister doesn't decide to overturn the major VCAT decision," she said.
" But we will certainly be looking into getting lawyers and taking it to the Supreme Court if needed."
