Lessons to be learned from inquiry into community consultation
Published on 17 March 2026
An inquiry into the state government’s community consultations practices has found that recent engagements have not always adopted best practice principles.
The report found that the state government’s Public Engagement Framework, designed to ensure best practice, has not been applied consistently by state government departments and agencies.
Conducted by the Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee, the inquiry has concluded with 64 findings and 28 recommendations, many of which closely mirror concerns voiced by Mansfield Shire Council over the past twelve months.
The inquiry concluded that:
- The state government should offer opportunities for genuine consultation rather than simply providing information.
- The state government should not use non-disclosure agreements, that stop participants informing their communities, unless there is a genuine need for them.
These published findings strengthen the complaints Mansfield Shire Council has made following the legislation of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund Levy and the statewide planning reforms (Better Decisions Made Faster Bill).
Once a temporary reprieve has passed, the ESVF will place the heaviest burden of funding the state’s emergency services and volunteers organisations on farmers. The same farmers who make up the majority of the CFA who fought to keep rural communities safe during the tragic 2026 bushfire season and bushfire seasons past.
The passing of statewide planning reforms now threaten to push through the Premier’s plans of turning Victoria into ‘the townhouse capital.’ The Better Decisions Made Faster Bill stripped Councils of their power to protect country character and country communities’ rights to object to inappropriate developments and cramped subdivisions better suited to suburban Melbourne.
Mayor Cr Steve Rabie believes the inquiry’s findings provide a valuable lesson for every level of government.
“Mansfield Shire Council thanks the Committee for the opportunity to express our disappointment in the recent level and quality of engagement we have witnessed from the state government,” he said.
“Engagement with the community has to be meaningful. The individuals and organisations that represent the community have to take steps to represent the community. Consultation can’t be a tokenistic exercise that simply ticks a box. It has to give people the opportunity to have their say.”
“We’ve seen some questionable consultation practices during recent engagements and it needs to improve.”
“There was no consultation regarding the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, despite the fact it fundamentally impacts councils, putting us under pressure and eroding trust in us from the communities we represent.”
“When the state pushed through the controversial planning reforms, they tied up those they consulted with in non-disclosure agreements. This flies in the face of the vital tenets upon which community consultation is carried out. Transparency, trust and meaningful engagement.”
“Given the learnings from this report, Mansfield Shire Council’s will be assessing its own engagement processes. In the very near future, we will put our community engagement policy out for consultation with the community and we want to hear from Mansfield Shire.”
Mansfield Shire Council is currently building a plan for an engagement which will give the community its say on consultation practices in Mansfield Shire.
More details and a go-live date will be released once confirmed.
View the findings of the Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee’s inquiry into community consultation practices in Victoria and Mayor Cr Steve Rabie’s submission on behalf of Mansfield Shire Council.