Today VCAT have announced 4 new initiatives to reduce wait times and resolve cases quicker. This is welcome news for the industry and planning permit applicants.
The initiatives are:
- Increasing compulsory conferences (formal mediations) from 35 to 50 per week.
- Major cases will have a target timeframe of 8 weeks from application to Compulsory Conference, and 16 weeks from application to hearing.
- Single day standard cases will have a target timeframe of 12 weeks from application to Compulsory Conference, and 24 weeks from application to hearing.
- Multi-day standard cases will have a target timeframe of 16 weeks from application to Compulsory Conference, and 28 weeks from application to hearing.
These initiatives are effective from 2nd September 2024.
The tribunal will also allow applicants with dates confirmed for cases pending to request an advancement of the dates based on these new timelines if all parties involved agree.
Reach out to our team if you are a permit applicant with a matter listed for a hearing or compulsory conference and would like to bring the date forward based on the announcements made today.