This page provides general timeframes and considerations for Planning Panels Victoria (PPV) processes for environment effects statement (EES) inquiries. While each project differs in size and complexity, this document is to be used as a general guide for project planning.

We will meet with you to provide more detailed guidance on timing and requirements after receipt of a formal request for appointment of an Inquiry from the Impact Assessment Unit of the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).

General guidelines

  • The ‘pre-set’ directions hearing and hearing dates (set prior to the exhibition stage) will be based on the anticipated exhibition dates. If the exhibition dates change or authorisation of the EES is delayed, the ‘pre-set’ dates will need to be revised and confirmed by PPV before exhibition.
  • We recommend that exhibition periods end no later than 30 November. If exhibition closes in December, timeframes for the close of exhibition to directions hearing stage can be extended by 1-2 weeks due to limited resources to process submissions.
  • Directions hearings in the first two weeks of January should be avoided.
  • Public hearings in late December or January should be avoided.

Authorisation to exhibition stage

Minimum timeframe: 1- 2 weeks.

Allows sufficient time for:

  • PPV to confirm ‘pre-set’ dates for directions hearing and hearing (which you must include in the exhibited material)
  • PPV to finalise Engage Victoria webpage and arrangements for collection of submissions via Engage Victoria.

Factors that influence timeframes

Timeframes can be reduced if required information is provided by you to PPV promptly.

Close of exhibition to directions hearing stage

Minimum timeframe: 3 - 4 weeks.

Allows sufficient time for:

  • PPV to process and publish submissions
  • PPV to notify submitters of the Directions hearing
  • Inquiry, Proponent and other key parties (eg Councils) to consider submissions before the directions hearing
  • Inquiry to provide advance notice of key dates for pre-hearing steps (see next stage) – this is generally provided before the directions hearing
  • Inquiry to prepare a request for further information (RFI) (where required)
  • Inquiry to prepare for the directions hearing.

Factors that influence timeframes

  • the volume/size of the EES that is being exhibited
  • quality of the EES (for example, the more comprehensive the EES, the less likely a RFI will be required)
  • number of submissions
  • number and complexity of issues.

Plan for 3 weeks where:

  • the EES is comprehensive, relatively straightforward and not voluminous
  • the issues are relatively confined and less complex
  • less than 50 submissions are anticipated.

Plan for 4 weeks where:

  • the EES is less comprehensive
  • the EES is complex or lengthy
  • there are multiple complex issues
  • more than 50 submissions are anticipated.

Directions hearing to public hearing stage

Minimum timeframe: 4 - 6 weeks.

Allows sufficient time for:

  • Inquiry to issue written directions
  • Proponent to prepare response to RFI (where required)
  • site inspections to be undertaken
  • expert witness reports to be prepared and circulated
  • evidence to be staggered where required
  • expert witness meetings where required
  • Part A submissions to be prepared and circulated
  • opening submissions to be prepared and circulated where required.

Factors that influence timeframes

  • quality of the EES
  • number and complexity of the issues
  • level and effectiveness of community engagement prior to exhibition
  • number of submissions
  • hearing format (submitter conference or full public hearing)
  • number of participants (parties and experts) in the hearing/submitter conference.

Plan for 4 weeks where it is anticipated there will be:

  • up to 50 submissions
  • a submitter conference or a smaller hearing (up to 10 parties and 6 experts).

Plan for 6 weeks where it is anticipated there will be:

  • more than 50 submissions
  • a larger hearing (more than 10 parties and/or 6 experts).

Public hearing stage

Minimum timeframe: to be determined following receipt of submissions.

The length of the hearing depends on:

  • number of submitters who want to be heard
  • number of expert witnesses
  • number and complexity of the issues.

Factors that influence timeframes

  • quality of the EES
  • complexity of the issues and impacts.

For longer hearings, inquiries generally only sit 4 days a week (Monday to Thursday) to allow the inquiry and parties to prepare for the next week.

End of hearing to report stage

Minimum timeframe: 30 - 40 business days.

Allows sufficient time for Inquiry to:

  • properly consider all the information presented at the hearing
  • provide the Minister for Planning with considered advice and recommendations.

Timeframes measured from the final day of the Hearing or the final date that any further information requested by inquiry is received.

Factors that influence timeframes

  • number and complexity of the issues
  • number of submissions
  • length and complexity of the hearing
  • time of year (generally, an extra two weeks will be required if the report writing period occurs over the Christmas to January period).

Allow 30 business days where:

  • issues are relatively straightforward
  • matter is not expected to be controversial
  • low submissions numbers/participation in the Hearing is anticipated.

Allow 40 business days where:

  • the EES documentation is complex or voluminous
  • environmental impacts are significant and complex
  • matter is controversial or attracts significant public interest.

Page last updated: 31/07/23