Scenario: Think of a place you know well. Now imagine a proposal to make a significant change at that place. Chose from one of the following proposals:

The place/building you are thinking of is proposed to become

·            A hotel trading till 3.0 am

·            A fast food outlet trading 24/7

·            A poker machine palace (or a casino or similar)

·            A gated apartment building with its own pool and tennis court

·            Another proposal -- please discuss it with Alison first.

Tasks:

Imagine you have been asked to scope a social impact assessment, that is to

a) briefly describe the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the place as it is now

b) from what you know already about the place, make a preliminary list of issues that would be likely to arise if this proposal goes ahead. Give a brief justification for each item.

c) make a list of people and interest groups / stakeholders who should be consulted about this proposal. Group like-stakeholders together. For example fishers, sailors, surfers, could be grouped as water recreation users.

d) identify any expert advice you might need (e.g. from an acoustics engineer)

Present your assignment under three headings:

1. Demographic overview

2. Preliminary list of likely issues, and

3. People and groups and experts who should be consulted

To complete this task within the word allocation, you may use dot points, and maps, tables etc from published sources – these must be fully referenced.

If you are using a scenario from your home country which is not Australia and there is a lack of local data, use the next best available sources (as you would have to if the situation were real). This option will be discussed in class.

Tasks:  Continuing with the scenario used in Assignment 1, conduct a recent literature search (since 2000) about the likely social impact issues the proposal will raise. 

Use both academic journals and grey literature (e.g. public agency reports). In addition to library search engines and Google, consult Australian Policy Online and the SIA Resources page on the Macquarie SIA website mq.edu.au/socialimpact

This assignment has two steps:

Step 1. Identify at least 10 and no more than 20 sources of information about the likely social impact issues relating to the scenario used in Assignment 1

Step 2. Summarise the main research findings raised in these information sources that are likely to be relevant to your scenario. Example, if you selected a fast food outlet, search for information about fast food outlets, obesity and overweight. Consider findings and information about populations similar to your scenario.

Summarise what the sources you have found say that is relevant to the proposal. To present the information within the word limit, you may use summary tables and dot points.

Students will chose one of the two options set out below for this assignment.

Option 1: Integrated cost benefit matrix plus a summary of maximum 700 words

This assignment has two steps:

1.  Create an integrated cost benefit matrix for groups (i.e. not for individuals) for the scenario you have been working on in assignments 1 and 2.

2.  On the basis of the issues documented in your matrix, discuss whether, on balance, the benefits of the proposal outweigh the costs or the costs would be likely to outweigh the benefits. State the basis on which you make this assessment (700 words).

Option 2: Review of an SIA, maximum 1500 words.

A social impact assessment will be provided to you.

Task:

Using information available from public agency sources review the SIA against the following questions:

Q1  Does the SIA fully and accurately describe what is proposed? Q2  Was the SIA well scoped? Describe and comment on the way the SIA was scoped. Q3  On what basis does the SIA identify social impacts likely to arise if the project is approved? Q4  Does the document give equal consideration to costs and benefits, i.e. who will benefit and who will suffer a detriment? Q5  Overall, would you recommend that this SIA should be relied on by decision makers?