The shire is expected to vote this month or next on an amendment to the winery’s permit, which would increase patronage for up to six concerts per year.

Sutton Grange Winery was due to host a Neil Diamond concert at the end of March, but the entertainer later cancelled his tour after a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.

The winery is pushing ahead with plans to increase patronage, having relocated the concert space to the rear of the expansive property, and is hopeful of attracting other world class acts.

About 50 people attended a community information session in December – and not all were opposed to the plans.

Sutton Grange resident Craig Mahony said the winery owners had done all they could to address concerns from objectors.

“They’ve done enough concerts at the winery to know how to do it right,” he said.

“Attendances of 15,000 is what’s needed to have really good acts, you’ve got to have these sorts of numbers.

“I would urge the council to accept it, and get behind the concerts now and into the future. We look forward to the next announcement, it’s a great thing for the wider area.”

Mr Mahony said he did not notice litter or excessive vehicle noise from the recent Jimmy Barnes concert, and there had been no objection from the CFA.

The grading and proposed use of the rural Carnochans Road and Carnochans Back Road had been a source of concern for some nearby residents.

But Bill Barker, who shares a large boundary with the winery, said the roads were in a poor state before the works.

“We’ve got some of the worst roads in Australia around here, and it took this for anything to be done about it,” he said.

“The minor problems people were running are easy to deal with.

“The vast majority of people support the plans.”

Fortuna Villa owner Paul Banks also lives near the venue, and said the Sidwell family – who own the winery – contribute to the Sutton Grange community.

He said the community meeting addressed concerns.

“It was less than a handful of residents that had lodged objections after 50 plus other residents walked away satisfied after receiving a detailed explanation,” Mr Banks said.

“That’s past tense now, but we will rally for more great acts to be held at Sutton Grange winery.”

Objectors earlier stated they would support the increase in patronage if the concert venue remained in its current location off Bendigo-Sutton Grange Road.

They claimed that having up to 15,000 concertgoers enter the property from rural roads could create emergency management issues and that it went against the protections of a farming zone.