The new headquarters will offer VCAT hearing and mediation services under one roof
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has announced that in collaboration with Court Services Victoria, it is scheduled to open a new facility at 308 La Trobe Street within the Melbourne CBD next year.
The new headquarters will combine VCAT’s hearing and mediation services under a single roof, according to a news release.
“The new venue at 308 La Trobe Street will bring VCAT's two CBD venues together into one central location, close to public transport links, providing a safe and inclusive place that meets the needs of all Victorians,” said VCAT President Ted Woodward, who is also a Supreme Court of Victoria justice.
The VCAT’s news release said the opening of the new venue aims to:
“VCAT service users are at the heart of what we do,” said VCAT CEO Fiona Chamberlain in the news release. “The building has been designed in consultation with service users and staff to help us deliver an accessible, welcoming and comfortable space for people accessing our services and support.”
The VCAT said that the new headquarters will feature the following:
“With better facilities, increased accessibility and dedicated spaces for legal support services, the new VCAT headquarters will make justice easier to navigate for all Victorians,” said Victoria Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny.
“This is an important milestone and I look forward to the establishment of Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria this year to provide a faster, fairer and cheaper avenue for dispute resolution,” said Victoria Consumer Affairs Minister Nick Staikos in the state government’s announcement.
The VCAT said that its community-based venues in Bendigo, Bundoora, Frankston, and Oakleigh will keep serving their local communities accordingly.
