Hi all thought we'd share our experience.
Invited to to apply for our visa 12/08, booked medicals 06/09, all went perfectly, we did these before we were allocated a CO, sent our police checks to the CO yesterday and our visa was granted today!!! It only took one day for them to grant our visa! I cannot believe how quick it has been for us.
hope this gives some hope for everyone that has applied recently. It will al happen before you know it. Good luck!