Within 30 days after the award of condemnation is made pursuant to Part 4 of Article 1 of Chapter 2 of this title or pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter 2 of this title, any party may appeal to the superior court of the county in which the public roads or highways lie by filing a petition for review with the superior court. The trial on such an appeal shall be de novo. The proceedings on the petition for review shall be governed by Chapter 3 of Title 5.
OCGA § 22-3-44