Students

ENVS7418 – Environmental Planning

2024 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Peter Davies
peter.davies@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit gives students a detailed understanding of the origins and current issues that structure practice in environmental planning. Students are introduced to the history of planning and its intersection with environmental thought. By the end of the unit students will be able to recognise different theories of planning; identify the structure of planning systems; show how current issues such as climate change impinge on planning; and produce a professional planning communication document.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: critically assess environmental theory, plans and policies across multiple scales and jurisdictions
  • ULO2: apply environmental and planning law and policy and planning skills to the decision-making process of government and industry
  • ULO3: identify and critically evaluate the interests, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in environmental planning decisions
  • ULO4: demonstrate individual and group-based skills in research and writing for different target audiences

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Reflection 20% No 2024-08-20
Quiz 20% No 2024-10-23
Group assignment 30% No 2024-10-06
Briefing report 30% No 2024-10-30

Reflection

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 2024-08-20
Weighting: 20%

 

Reflective report focusing on the content and learning outcomes of the first module and how this will inform the future assessment tasks

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • critically assess environmental theory, plans and policies across multiple scales and jurisdictions
  • apply environmental and planning law and policy and planning skills to the decision-making process of government and industry
  • identify and critically evaluate the interests, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in environmental planning decisions

Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 2024-10-23
Weighting: 20%

 

Multiple-choice quizzes and/or skills assessment done during class.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • critically assess environmental theory, plans and policies across multiple scales and jurisdictions
  • apply environmental and planning law and policy and planning skills to the decision-making process of government and industry

Group assignment

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 2024-10-06
Weighting: 30%

 

Prepare as a small group project a report or strategy based on an authentic task and write a personal reflection on the process.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • critically assess environmental theory, plans and policies across multiple scales and jurisdictions
  • apply environmental and planning law and policy and planning skills to the decision-making process of government and industry
  • identify and critically evaluate the interests, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in environmental planning decisions
  • demonstrate individual and group-based skills in research and writing for different target audiences

Briefing report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 2024-10-30
Weighting: 30%

 

Write a briefing report for a government agency on a topical environmental policy or planning issue.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • critically assess environmental theory, plans and policies across multiple scales and jurisdictions
  • apply environmental and planning law and policy and planning skills to the decision-making process of government and industry
  • identify and critically evaluate the interests, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in environmental planning decisions
  • demonstrate individual and group-based skills in research and writing for different target audiences

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

The class will be held on a Wednesday between 3:00PM to 6:00 PM

Room 01 Central Courtyard 201 (01CC201 Groupwork Lecture Space)

Sir Christopher Ondaatje Ave, Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde. 

The class is delivered as a face-to-face lecture and tutorial-style class. The format will generally involve a lecture for half the class in which there will be various tutorial activities to reinforce the learning of the content and a group-based workshop activity from which you will then apply the learning to different scenarios. In-class activities and discussions will be designed to support your assessment tasks.

There is a full-day field trip on Saturday 14th September 2024. This forms a central part of the unit and links directly to one of your assessment tasks.

ENVS8418 is a core unit for the Master of Environmental Management and Master of Planning and is approved for inclusion in several study programs including the Master of Environmental Law.

Knowledge, skills and experiences gained in this unit are useful for students who wish to pursue any career in government or consultancy related to environmental management, urban and regional planning and policy.

This unit focuses on the issues influencing environmental planning and policy in NSW, Australia, and also draws on other national and international examples of environmental planning and policy.

The unit examines contemporary environmental policies and practices affecting areas such as strategic land, biodiversity, water, mining and transport planning. There is a strong emphasis on the development and enhancement of critical analysis and the constructive review of plans and policies. The unit is also designed to develop practical skills used and required by professionals working in the field of environmental management and planning.

 

 

Weekly lectures and tutorial workshops

The unit is delivered by face to face mode. The content is based on a 3 hour weekly lecture program inclusive of class discussion and workshop activities. Supporting this content, students are required to complete core reading/s or other activities (e.g. listen to podcasts or watch videos) identified on the iLearn site.

Field trip

There is a field trip mid semester to offer interactive and authentic learning linked to the unit’s content and assessment tasks.

This scheduled for 14th September, 2024. This will be a full day and will be based within the Sydney area and accessible by public transport.

An exemption for attendance may be granted to students however this requires prior approval. Applications for exemptions are to be made prior to 30 August via the Special Considerations portal on the Student website.

Teaching

The teaching process includes:

  • Background reading or view of other materials by students
  • Lectures and short presentations to introduce and expand on concepts, theories and practice. These will be delivered by academics and guest presentations by environmental planning professionals
  • Practical workshop sessions to provide opportunities for experiential learning on tasks and through discussion with other class members (preparation is essential)
  • Student presentations of tasks to be either prepared in advance or given as part of a summary of your tutorial discussions
  • Talks from guest lecturers that convey the practice of environmental planning and its challenges and opportunities
  • A field trip to appreciate the practical, technical and socio-political aspects of environmental planning
  • Assignments that require students to apply their theoretical understanding to practice
  • Assignments provide opportunities for presenting in different formats, working with people of different skills and cultural perspectives.

 

Students are expected to:

  • Actively participate in workshop activities in small groups
  • Read set readings or review other materials as set in advance of classes
  • Follow current developments with regard to environmental planning locally and internationally.

Unit Schedule

 

Wk

Date

Lecture topic 

Workshop exercise

Assessment Task

Part A Legal and policy foundations for environmental and land use planning

1

24 July

Lecture 1 Introduction to environmental planning (Peter Davies)

Overview of course and assessments

Reflection presentation and exercise

 

2

31 July

Lecture 2 Environmental planning instruments (Peter Davies)

Environmental conservation zoning and policy

 

3

7 Aug

Lecture 3 Sustainability within local and regional land use planning (Peter Davies)

How sustainability is defined as a planning concept

 

4

14 Aug

Lecture 4 Strategic planning to Environmental Impact Assessment (Peter Davies)

Understanding the Review of Environmental Factors process (linked to group assessment)

 

5

21 Aug

Lecture 5 Sea level rise protection and policy (Katherine Dafforn)

Coastal management

Assessment 1: Due 20th August (20%)

Part B Environmental planning in practice

6

28 Aug

Lecture 6 Urban density and housing controls (Peter Davies)

Local planning controls

 

7

4 Sept

Lecture 7 Biodiversity planning (Peter Davies)

Achieving net zero biodiversity loss

 

8

11 Sep

Lecture 8 Environmental planning for National Parks (Katherine Dafforn)

Unpacking Plans of Management

 

 

14 Sept

Field trip Meadowbank / Parramatta River

(Peter Davies and Katherine Dafforn)

Mid semester break

9

2 Oct

Lecture 9 Regional environmental water management (Katherine Dafforn)

Water planning in the Murray Darling Basin

 

10

9 Oct

Lecture 10 Integrated urban water management (Peter Davies)

Local strategic planning and community strategic planning processes

Assessment 2: Due 6 October (30%)

11

16 Oct

Lecture 11 Planning for bushfire protection (Peter Davies)

Asset protection zones

 

12

23 Oct

Lecture 12 Mining and the environment (Peter Davies)

Rehabilitation planning and mine closure

In class quiz

Assessment 3: In-class quiz (10%)

13

30 Oct

No class in lieu of fieldtrip

 

Assessment 4: Due 30th October (40%)

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

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Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

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Unit information based on version 2024.01R of the Handbook