Mansfield Shire’s Petition Against Planning Reforms discussed at Sprin

Published on 06 February 2026

The Mansfield Shire petition against planning reforms was discussed on Spring Street during the first sitting of the Victorian Legislative Council for 2026.

Though there was support for the petition from Gaelle Broad, MP for Northern Victoria, David Davis, MP for Southern Metropolitan and Wendy Lovell, MP for Northern Victoria, the recently legislated bill will not be sent to an inquiry at this time.

While Mayor Cr Steve Rabie is grateful the petition found support on Spring Steet, he is disappointed the Victorian Legislative Council has failed to send Better Decisions Made Faster Bill to an inquiry.

“This outcome is a missed opportunity for the state of Victoria,” he said.

“The bill was introduced and legislated without any consultation with the councils or communities it impacts.”

“We understand Victoria has a housing shortage. We’re realistic about development and we stand firmly behind responsible, sustainable growth. These planning reforms aren’t the solution to deliver it.”

“Regional Victoria has spoken in vocal opposition to these planning reforms. They impose a Melbourne centric model on rural communities with no consideration for protecting country identity.”

“The state government has declined to listen to Regional Victoria, they’ve declined to represent us on this matter. Their mission to turn Victoria into ‘the townhouse capital’ seems to begin with bringing Melbourne thinking to Mansfield Shire and communities just like ours across the state.”

“Sending the bill to an inquiry would have ensured there was some level of consultation and scrutiny over a bill that clearly isn’t right for regional Victoria.”

Mayor Cr Steve Rabie headed a Mansfield Shire Council campaign to gather the 2,000 signatures required to ensure Mansfield Shire’s petition was heard on Spring Street. In a few short weeks, the petition reached 2,414 signatures with Council’s calls to sign the petition reaching hundreds of thousands of people through social media.

“I’m very proud our community stepped up and signed the petition,” Mayor Cr Rabie said.

“It has been months since the petition closed and we are still being flooded with requests from passionate Victorians who want to add their signature to the petition and their voice to the argument to keep it country in rural Victoria.”

The Better Decisions Made Faster Bill was legislated by the state government in December of 2025. This was despite the fact it was introduced without consultation and was met by widespread criticism for placing unnecessary pressure on councils by forcing rushed approvals of inappropriate developments in as little as ten days.