VCAT and planning disputes

If you have applied for a planning permit, or you have made an objection to a planning permit application, and you disagree with Council’s decision, you may apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for a review of that decision (commonly referred to as an appeal).

VCAT is an independent tribunal that hears and determines a range of disputes.

After Council has made its decision, common applications to VCAT include:

• The permit applicant applies for review of Council’s refusal to grant a permit
• The permit applicant applies for review of conditions imposed on a planning permit
• The permit applicant applies for review of Council’s failure to make a decision within the prescribed timeframe (generally 60 days), known as a “failure to decide” application
• An objector applies for review of Council’s decision to grant a permit (following the issue of a Notice of Decision to Grant a Permit)

When to lodge a VCAT application

Once Council gives notice of its decision, the timeframes to apply for a review are:

• 60 days for applicants
• 28 days for objectors

More information 

For further information, you can visit VCAT’s website.