Published on 19 December 2025
The shire’s trees became the topic of conversation when Council held its ordinary meeting for December with the Councillors voting unanimously to strengthen Mansfield Shire Council’s tree management Policy and Plan.
The revised Policy and Plan establish an updated framework for the management of trees on land owned or managed by Council. Together, they ensure a consistent, sustainable and risk aware approach to tree management that protects public safety, enhances urban amenity and supports biodiversity across the Shire.
Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said Council’s work would protect trees.
“In the many years I have been at Council, I’ve been looking forward to seeing this policy strengthened to ensure we can protect trees as vital assets that contribute to the health, safety, character and resilience of our communities and our landscapes,” he said.
“We take the stewardship of our land seriously and protecting the trees that make it such an awe-inspiring landscape is a critical part of how we do this.
“From the first time I drove into Mansfield Shire and every single time I return from a trip, the beauty of this place takes my breath away.
“We are so lucky to have the big old trees that we have. This is part of what makes our unique rural identity. So, if you’re a developer and you think you can just come in and knock them all down, you’re going to have to come and talk to us because we want to keep our big old trees and we will make sure we have everything in place we need to protect them,” said Cr Rabie.