Agreement Reached on 140 High Street planning matter

Mansfield Shire Council has welcomed an agreement on a planning matter relating to the service station at 140 High Street, Mansfield, the outcome confirms the site will include a service station, car wash and small shop only.

Mayor Cr Steve Rabie has welcomed the outcome, saying it represents a big win for the community.

“We are very satisfied with the outcome of a car wash and small shop, this is a big win for our community – for traffic, for the connection with the station precinct and for residents nearby,” he said.

In November 2025, Council received an application to amend the existing planning permit for the service station to include a car wash and shop and to extend the service station's operating hours.

While Council attempted to find a negotiated position that suited all parties, a compromise was not reached within the statutory timeframe and the applicant lodged an appeal with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Council and all objectors were afforded the opportunity to be parties to the proceeding and attended mediation.  

"The proposal including anything other than a service station, car wash and small shop could have had huge potential impact on traffic at the entrance of town so we raised significant concerns about it,” Mayor said.

"We’ve listened and we’ve heard the community's concerns about traffic in this area. It remains an ongoing priority for Council. We’ll continue to work with the Department of Transport and Planning and Alpine Resorts Victoria (ARV) to manage traffic, particularly during peak visitation periods.”

A resolution was reached through agreed mediation, without the need for a formal hearing and an amended permit will now be issued.

Keep Mansfield Healthy Spokesperson Dr Graham Slaney said that while the group still has concerns about the over-intensification of what is already a constrained site, it is pleased that Council was able to secure a compromise outcome with the developers through the VCAT process.

“The agreement ensures the additional premises cannot operate as a takeaway or convenience restaurant. Such a use would have created significant additional traffic movements and vehicle queuing at what is already a very busy gateway to the town,” Dr Slaney said.

“As Mansfield continues to grow, the co-location of emergency services at the proposed Emergency Services Precinct will become increasingly important to ensure efficient emergency response and sensible long-term planning for the district.”

“Traffic and road safety concerns around the service station site remain significant, particularly given the recent development of the museum and pump track opposite the site, together with the substantial increase in tourism and visitation to Mansfield over recent years.”

Dr Will Twycross of the Mansfield Community Historical and Arts Committee (MCHAC) has also welcomed the agreement, saying the issue also highlights the need for a broader consideration of the long-term traffic future of Mansfield’s town entrance.  

“With the development of the Railway Precinct, including the new Museum, pump track, playground, dog park and Goods Shed, together with the planned Emergency Services Precinct, the new service station development, the pressures on the town entrance are becoming increasingly significant,” he said.

“During peak holiday periods, and particularly last winter at Buller Sports, we were already seeing traffic queues extending back towards the Melbourne Hill and beyond. Increased congestion also creates the risk of more vehicles diverting through residential streets, impacting safety and amenity for local residents.”

“Mansfield’s town entrance is a crucially important civic and visitor gateway. Future planning decisions should support safe access, protect community amenity, and complement the significant public investment occurring within the Railway Precinct.”

Following the agreement, Council would like to thank the Mansfield Shire community its engagement on matters it is impacted by and the developer of 140 High St for coming to the table to reach an agreement on a positive outcome for Mansfield Shire.