council - merit application vs residential code application

I have contacted our council to find out the progress of our application. They have advised that they are waiting on further information from the builder. They said that we should request that the builder change the type of application from a residential code application to a merit application, as it will speed up the process. Does anyone know the difference between the two applications? Is this likely to cause delays with the builder, to change the type of application? Are we better to just leave it as it is, and wait it out?

Hey carlswill, ~ sorry can't help you with this ~ but the people who know will probably want to know what state you are in?

I haven't heard of a "merit application" in Vic.

~ cheers, J