This session presents lessons from Stephen’s 25 years as a frequent, but somewhat reluctant, participant at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. It is intended to help planners who may feel uncomfortable with VCAT work to increase both their effectiveness and level of comfort with this kind of work.
Material covered includes:
- Writing effective submissions, including structuring arguments and dealing with the human factor (how not to bore or irritate a VCAT member!)
- Dealing with “strong opposition” – how does a council planner manage when other parties are lawyered up, or have vastly more experience?
- Strategies for cross-examination.
- The unique approach required of council representatives.
- Dealing with nerves.
It covers tips for presenting, the challenges of presenting planning as a planner in a pseudo-legal setting, and the particular challenges of presenting cases for local government.
This session is suggested as a team activity that also draws from the thoughts of more senior staff who have experience presenting at VCAT.
Presenters: Stephen Rowley.
Audience: Local government statutory planners (however please enquire about versions for other audiences).
Suggested timing: 2 hours.
Mode: face to face.
Level: This course is targeted at mixed groups of council statutory planners. It is focussed particularly on beginner to intermediate staff, but it is suggested as a group activity that also draws on your experienced team members to share their own VCAT experience.
Enquiries: [email protected]