Strategic Planning

Mansfield Shire Council is responsible for setting and delivering planning strategies that guide how land in the Shire is used and developed. This includes strategies, plans and policies for residential areas, townships and the protection of heritage and the environment. The Strategic Planning team also manage changes to the Mansfield Planning Scheme in collaboration with stakeholders and the community

Mansfield Planning Scheme

Each local government area in Victoria is covered by a planning scheme. The planning scheme is a legal document that is prepared by Mansfield Shire Council and approved by the Minister for Planning. The Mansfield Planning Scheme sets out the planning rules for using, developing and protecting land in Mansfield Shire. Council uses the policies and guidelines set out in the Mansfield Planning Scheme to make decisions about planning permit application.

View the Mansfield Planning Scheme

Zones

All land is subject to a planning zone. This is different to the zone used for rates purposes.

The planning scheme zones land for particular uses, for example residential, rural, industrial, commercial or other. The zone determines how the land can be used, what land uses require a permit and the matters that the council must consider before deciding to grant a permit.

The zone also contains information relating to subdivision of land, buildings and works, and other changes to the land.

Overlays

An overlay applies another layer of planning controls to a parcel of land. Not all land has an overlay, and some may have more than one.

If an overlay applies, the land will have some special features such as a bushfire or flood risk, significant vegetation or heritage buildings

The overlay will determine if you need a permit to use or develop the land.

Find out what zone and overlays apply to your property

Visit the Victorian Government's Planning website to get a planning report for your property

VicPlan

Strategic Planning Projects and Studies

Strategic planning projects identify planning issues through research and extensive community consultation, and recommend measures to address them. The projects are then implemented into the Mansfield Planning Scheme through a planning scheme amendment.

Current Projects

View our current strategic planning projects and studies, and have your say about the future of Mansfield on our community engagement portal

Engage Mansfield

Adopted Projects

Strategic planning projects and studies adopted by Council

Goughs Bay Plan, 2025(PDF, 21MB)

Merton Plan, 2023(PDF, 2MB)

Bonnie Doon Plan, 2023(PDF, 3MB)

Mansfield Planning Strategy, 2022(PDF, 5MB)

Infrastructure Design Manual, 2019(PDF, 3MB)

Mansfield Township Approaches Planning Controls and Guidelines Study, 2018(PDF, 3MB)

Code of Practice - Onsite wastewater management, 2016(PDF, 2MB)

Mansfield Township Structure Plan, 2015(PDF, 6MB)

Mansfield Shire Stage 1 Heritage Survey 2015(PDF, 7MB)

Bushfire Planning Provisions, Mitigating risk in small townships, 2014(PDF, 6MB)

Roadside Conservation Management Plan, 2014(PDF, 3MB)

Mansfield 1% AEP Flood Mapping Project, 2014(PDF, 5MB)

Mansfield Shire Domestic Wastewater Management Plan, 2014(PDF, 2MB)

Ministerial Guidelines for planning permit applications in open, potable water supply catchment areas, 2012(PDF, 979KB)

Regional Bushfire Planning Assessment Hume Region, 2012(PDF, 1MB)

Mansfield Shire Gaming Policy Framework, 2010(PDF, 22MB)

Mansfield Urban Design Framework, 2005(PDF, 21MB)

Mansfield Flood Study, 2005(PDF, 14MB)

Jamieson Flood Coping Study, 2003(PDF, 15MB)

Land Capability Assessment for Onsite Domestic Wastewater Management, 2003(PDF, 444KB)

Rural Living Strategic Study 2003(PDF, 2MB)

Guidelines for the Protection of Water Quality - North East Planning Referrals Committee, 2001(PDF, 737KB)

Guidelines for the Protection of Water Quality, North East Planning Referrals Committee, 2000(PDF, 373KB)

Urban Stormwater - Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines, 1999(PDF, 74MB)

Planning Scheme Amendments

Amending The Planning Scheme

Changes to the planning scheme require a planning scheme amendment. Amendments can be initiated by Council, the Planning Minister or an individual.

Amendments can apply to a single property or to land right across the Shire. They often:

Implement a new Council policy, plan or strategy
Correct inconsistencies and minor errors
Improve how the scheme operates
Respond to emerging issues or private requests

Individuals can request a change to the planning scheme. If you're considering this, please contact us to discuss your proposal before applying at strategic.planning@mansfield.vic.gov.au or by booking a pre-application meeting

Book a pre-application meeting

Have your say about proposed amendments

Proposed amendments to the Mansfield Planning Scheme can be found on the Engage Mansfield website

Engage Mansfield

View all proposed and approved amendments

You can find all our proposed and completed amendments on the Victorian Government's planning website

Browse amendments

Development in Mansfield

A development plan is a planning document that must be prepared for land covered by a Development Plan Overlay. It provides a framework for future development and ensures that the proposed use, development and/or subdivision is viewed in a holistic manner