Mansfield Planning Strategy Adopted
Published on 20 May 2022
The Mansfield Planning Strategy 2022, which guides land use through to 2040, has been formally adopted by Mansfield Shire Council after extensive community consultation.
The Strategy responds to the pressures of population growth while determining the priorities for the Shire’s land use. It considers how Council can protect and enhance the character of the Shire.
Mayor Cr James Tehan said the document provided clear guidance on important planning and development issues.
“This document addresses critical community concerns such as housing affordability while applying design controls that ensure new development suits the character of our towns,” said Cr Tehan.
“Mansfield’s median house price has gone up more than 21 percent. This has a major impact on the ability for someone to enter the Mansfield property market or even lease a rental property. This strategy ensures we can provide adequate land for housing.
“The strategy facilitates orderly development during this time of massive population growth. It considers parklands, streetscape, significant trees, landscape, environment and native vegetation. It prevents the fragmentation of productive agricultural land by clearly maintaining the town’s boundary.
“There are additional actions to protect grandfather trees and our valued environments and landscapes, ensuring future developments don’t negatively impact the beauty of our ridgelines, lakes, rivers and mountains,” said Cr Tehan.
Council used consultant SGS Economics and Planning to help complete the Mansfield Planning Strategy. They undertook extensive research into the Shire, reviewing previous strategic plans, state and local government policies, the economic state of the Shire and many other factors that were considered in the formulation of the final Strategy, as well as undertaking an extensive community engagement.
“We’re grateful to the many community members who participated in the 10-week consultation, whether they spoke with us at a marquee on the main street or came to one of our online or in-person forums.
“We sent hundreds of letters, put ads in the local paper, held community drop-in sessions at Council and online and, as a result, we were able to shape the Mansfield Planning Strategy to accurately reflect the community’s needs.”
“Since we began our term at Council, community satisfaction with our town planning has improved significantly. This document is a culmination of important strategic work and we are very pleased with the result,” said Cr Tehan.
The strategic planning team will now begin work on the implementation plan, which includes work to be done over the next 10 years. The final strategy is now available at engage.mansfield.vic.gov.au/mansfield-planning-strategy
More information about the Planning Strategy will be discussed on Mansfield Community Radio, with guest speakers from Council discussing the strategy in depth at 8am on 1 June 2022.