Petition calls to keep Planning Local

Petition calls to keep Planning Local

Published on 07 November 2025

In a bid to challenge the state government's controversial planning reforms, which threaten to strip councils of their planning powers and communities of their right to voice their concerns, Mansfield Shire Council has launched the petition against planning reforms.

The petition calls on the Victorian Government to refer the new Planning Amendment (Better Decisions Made Faster) Bill 2025 to an inquiry so that consultation with rural councils and communities can occur before any changes to the planning system are passed.

Council holds serious concerns that the reforms, set to go to Parliament on 12 November, were developed without genuine consultation and threaten to silence the voices of the local community.

Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said the petition is a necessary step to protect the rights of rural communities.

"If the state government had consulted us, they would know we don't want this bill," said Cr Rabie.

"We don't want them to force a Melbourne-centric planning model on the regions. We don't want them to silence rural voices by removing our right to object to inappropriate developments."

The reforms risk removing the community's right to be notified about developments in their neighbourhood and their right to appeal decisions to VCAT. Council is also concerned the changes will allow state-wide rules to override the local policies that protect the Shire's unique country character.

"The state government would have you believe council approval times are to blame for the state's lack of houses," said Cr Rabie.

"But developers here in Mansfield Shire would tell you a very different story. They'd tell you just how hard it is to get developments off the ground when there's no infrastructure to hook them up to. A lack of pipes, poles and paths is what's holding us back, not councils."

Council is calling for a system that is built on five essential principles: Keep it Country, Keep it Local, Keep it Transparent, Keep it Fair and Keep it Simple.

"We need our community to get behind us as we fight this unwelcome and unworkable bill," Cr Rabie said. "We need 2000 signatures to make our voice heard on Spring Street.

"Please help us protect our community's voice and our Shire's rural identity by signing the petition."

The petition can be signed by anyone with a Victorian address. Hard copies are available to sign at the following locations:

• Mansfield Shire Council Municipal Office - 33 Highett Street, Mansfield

• Mansfield Library - 2 Collopy Street, Mansfield

• Visitor Information Centre - 175 High Street, Mansfield

Alternatively, a copy can be downloaded from Council's website. Signed petition sheets need to be returned in hard copy to the Council Office at 33 Highett Street, Mansfield.

• Community
• Planning