Published on 22 May 2026
At Council’s ordinary meeting for May, 19 May 2026, Council endorsed the final draft Community Local Law 2026-2035.
Council’s formal endorsement comes after a year-long engagement process, including three rounds of community feedback, that placed a priority on working with the community to achieve an outcome that met its wishes.
Mayor Cr Steve Rabie expressed his gratitude to those who took the time to engage over the new Community Local Laws.
“Thank you to everyone who engaged with Council throughout the engagement process. There is a lot of local knowledge in our community, no one knows the realities of life in Mansfield Shire like our residents. That’s why we endeavoured to listen to community voices expressing community wishes at every step.”
“We’re pleased where we have landed with the final draft, we believe it strikes the balance between protecting community freedoms with protecting amenity for our residents. Several of our fellow Victorian councils have expressed interest in using the new Community Local Laws as a template for their own reviews”.
Throughout the engagement process, feedback requested less over-regulation, greater clarity, rules that reflect both rural and residential realities and a simpler permits process with duplication removed. The updated laws aim to deliver exactly that - cutting unnecessary red tape while maintaining important protections for community safety, amenity and the environment.
The Community Local Laws will come into effect from 30 June 2026 and they are now available to view on Council's website: www.mansfield.vic.gov.au