FAQs

Mansfield Shire’s population is growing, and its demographic profile is shifting. The broader economy is moving towards services-based and knowledge-intensive sectors, and the impacts of climate change are increasingly being felt.

While change is inevitable, it is important that it is managed in a way that ensures the ongoing health and prosperity of existing communities, and preserves Mansfield Shire’s valued historic, cultural, and natural living landscape for future generations. This includes having a clear plan for where people will live, where they will access services, how the local economy will prosper, and how the environment can be sustainably managed to mitigate and minimise the impacts of climate change, protect landscape and promote biodiversity, alongside other immediate concerns.

The Planning Strategy is being developed over three stages. There were delays throughout 2020 and 2021 due to various Public Health restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. An overview of the development strategy is as follows:

• Stage 1 – commenced 2020
  • Targeted engagement with Councillors, Council officers and key stakeholders was undertaken
  • Background technical paper was developed
  • Summary discussion paper developed
• Stage 2 – commenced 2021
  • Draft Planning Strategy developed
  • Consultation with the Mansfield Shire community (November 23^rd to 28^th January 2022)
• Stage 3 – to be completed post January 2023
  • Final Planning Strategy developed
  • Council adoption and implementation

The draft Planning Strategy will be exhibited online from the 23^rd of November 2021 to 28^th January 2022 through the Council’s Engage Mansfield webpage available via this link engage.mansfield.vic.gov.au/mansfield-planning-strategy

During this time, Mansfield Shire Council invites all community members and stakeholder to provide feedback. Feedback can be provided through the following channels:

During this time there are several ways you can provide feedback:

• Via an online submission through Council’s the Engage Mansfield webpage
• Via email – please email your submission to council@mansfield.vic.gov.au
• Drop-in sessions at Council Chambers 33 Highett Street Mansfield:
  • Wednesday 8^th of December commencing at 6pm
  • Thursday 9^th of December commencing at 10 am
  • Thursday 9^th of December commencing at 2pm
• Main Street Marquis:
  • Saturday 27th November 9.00am till 12.00pm
  • Saturday 11th December 9.00am till 12.00pm
  • Saturday 15th January 9.00am till 12.00pm
• Online forums
  • Theme: Housing and character - 6^th December at 7pm
  • Theme: Employment lands and infrastructure – 15^th December at 7pm
  • Theme: Environment and landscape – 16^th December at 7pm

If you are attending an online forum please register your details at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MPSforum . A link to the online forum will be emailed to you on the day of the event you are attending.

Agency stakeholders and the Taungurung Land and Waters Council will be contacted separately about opportunities to contribute.  

The draft Planning Strategy was approved by Mansfield Shire Council for public exhibition at the Council meeting held on the 9^th November 2021.

Following exhibition, all feedback will be considered before preparing the final Mansfield Planning Strategy. The Strategy will be put to Council in early 2022 for adoption.  

Once the Planning Strategy is adopted, Mansfield Shire Council will begin the process of implementation which will include a planning scheme amendment to introduce recommended changes to the Mansfield Planning Scheme.

Amendments to the planning scheme generally take between 12 to 18 months to complete following authorisation and will include further consultation. Any affected landholders will be directly notified of the proposed changes. . More information on the amendment process can be found here https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/schemes-and-amendments/amending-a-planning-scheme]