MANSFIELD PLANNING SCHEME

21.11 MANSFIELD TOWNSHIP APPROACHES

21.02-121.11-1 Overview

Mansfield is a thriving rural town situated approximately 180kms north east of Melbourne. The largest town within the Mansfield Shire, it provides a range of civic, business, retail, education and community services for residents within the township and for nearby communities. Tourism is a major contributor to the local economy. Mansfield’s unique location within Victoria’s High Country and its close proximity to natural environmental features attracts visitors to the town all year round. Mount Buller and Mount Stirling form part of the Victorian Alps. Mansfield provides a gateway for visitors travelling to both. The surrounding hills also afford Mansfield with spectacular views, providing a distinct visual character highly valued by the local community. Mansfield is the centre of a large primary production area. As such, agricultural land forms a distinct part of the surrounding landscape. The four approaches in the township are also the major transport routes within Mansfield Shire. These provide connections to the Hume Freeway and Melbourne, as well as to Benalla and Wangarratta. Other key features within Mansfield relevant to the four approaches include the Mansfield Botanic Park, Mansfield Golf Course, Mansfield Mullum Wetlands, Railway Station Precinct, Mansfield Race Course, Fords Creek, existing River Red Gums and the distinct median along Highett and High Street. The four approaches also play an important role in the visitor experience of Mansfield. They provide the ‘first impression’ of Mansfield as a place and a community and encourage visitors to stop and explore. Given tourism is a major contributor to the local economy, it is important that the approaches are attractive and reflect the local character and charm of Mansfield. Importantly, the approaches should provide a strong sense of pride and attachment to the town for the local community of Mansfield. Town approaches offer high visibility and as is often the case attract advertising signage clutter and commercial and industrial uses. Mansfield has been increasingly subject to this in recent times so it is important to manage this type of development so that the appearance of the four approaches presents well to the community and visitors to the area.

Key Issues Managing the appearance and function of the township approaches to ensure they are

attractive and that they reflect the local character of Mansfield. Avoid the appearance of clutter by minimising the proliferation of advertising signage

or placement of large-scale business signage within the township approaches. Managing the appearance of commercial and industrial uses within the township

approach areas.

21.11-2 Objectives

To identify the preferred future character of the four township approaches. To clearly define the preferred future character through built form and landscaping

treatments within the private realm. To ensure future development makes a positive impact on the amenity and

environment along the township approaches. To ensure future development along the four township approaches have regard to their

local context and reinforces the valued character of the township.

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 1 OF 2

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MANSFIELD PLANNING SCHEME

To provide clear, logical and useful guidelines for all - including developers, residents, Council officers and Councillors.

21.11-3 Strategies

Strategy 1.0 Encourage new development within the township approaches to adopt high standards of urban design, architecture and landscape architecture.

Strategy 1.1 Discourage the proliferation of advertising signage or placement of bold, dominant or large-scale business signage within the township approaches.

Strategy 1.2 Encourage the retention of the open and spacious character of the approaches through the provision of generous front and side setbacks.

Strategy 1.3 Future development within the township approaches should provide appropriate articulation in built form which respects the importance of the approaches as the visual gateway to the town.

Strategy 1.4 Encourage development which compliments the surrounding landscape setting and which protects the significant landscape features within the township approach areas, including large significant trees, visually significant ridges and views to the surrounding hills.

Strategy 1.5 Encourage interesting and well articulated roof forms which complement the gateway and town approach location.

Strategy 1.6 Encourage unsightly uses including car park areas and sheds to be located where they are less visible along the approach, or to be screened by vegetation/mounding.

Strategy 1.7 Minimise the length of high and solid side and rear fencing visible along the approaches.

Strategy 1.8 Minimise the appearance of services from the township approaches, this includes solar panels, water tanks and service areas.

Strategy 1.9 Encourage development to appropriately address adjoining township approaches by avoiding blank and unarticulated walls.

Strategy 2.0 Minimise the number of driveways to properties along the township approaches in order to minimise pedestrian/cyclist conflicts and maximise opportunities for street tree planting.

Strategy 2.1 Encourage the use of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) features in new development, including permeable materials in car parking areas.

Strategy 2.2 Discourage public service infrastructure from locating within key views along approaches and away from key natural assets.

21.11-4 Implementation

Apply a Design and Development Overlay to the areas defined as being the township approach areas surrounding the township of Mansfield

Assess future permit applications within the township approach areas against the Mansfield Township Approaches Guidelines 2017

Prepare an update to the Mansfield Signage Strategy, 2007

21.11-5 Reference Documents

Mansfield Township Approaches Guidelines 2017

MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 2 OF 2

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