Petition success: Mansfield Shire smashes signature requirement

Published on 01 December 2025

The petition against state planning reforms has now closed after the Mansfield Shire community came together to put pen to paper and help Council amass 2255 signatures, surpassing the 2000 needed to trigger a debate in the Victorian Legislative Council.

The last 600 came in just four days after Mayor Cr Steve Rabie made a public request for one final push to protect our community’s voice in the face of proposed state planning reforms.

We launched the petition in response to concerns that significant planning changes were being made without consultation with rural communities. Reforms that threaten to strip councils of their ability to notify people about developments in their neighbourhood and to remove the community's right to voice objections to inappropriate developments.

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

Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said the petition is a necessary step to protect the unique character of Mansfield Shire.

“These reforms would silence rural voices and allow state-wide rules to override the local policies that protect our shire’s unique country character,” he said

“The community response has been overwhelming, thank you so much to everybody who signed the petition and to all the local businesses who put copies in their storefronts. You have sent a powerful message to the Victorian Government.”

“You have told them you will not be silenced. As both Mayor and proud resident of Mansfield Shire, I could not be more proud of you.”

Mayor Cr Steve Rabie travelled to Spring St on Thursday to personally hand-deliver the signatures to Wendy Lovell, Victorian Legislative Council Member for Northern Victoria, who will formally table the petition for discussion in Parliament.

“This has been a huge effort and the support from the community is what made getting this petition over the line possible,” said Cr Rabie. “You have done the hard work to protect our community’s voice and our Shire’s rural identity.”