Students

GEOP2080 – Planning and Development

2024 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor and lecturer
Linda Kelly
linda.kelly@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Miriam Williams
miriam.williams@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
GEOP1040
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit examines the relationship between planning and development, with particular reference to NSW. This is a practice-based unit and provides an introduction to the legal basis for development approvals, various development consent pathways, an analysis of development assessment, and plans that provide the framework for assessment, such as State environmental planning policies, local environmental plans, development control plans. Students will learn to interpret plans and development proposals and understand how controls affect built outcomes.

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: Apply critical thinking and practical experience in the field of planning and development.
  • ULO2: Apply skills in the theory and practice of development assessment process in NSW.
  • ULO3: Apply a basic understanding of planning law and relevant planning instruments to development assessment.
  • ULO4: Use plan reading and evaluation skills to solve development problems.

General Assessment Information

Where can I find more information about assessment tasks?

The GEOP2080 iLearn page has more detailed insructions for each assessment item, marking criteria and rubric. The assessment folder includes useful resources and examples. In class assessments will be conducted throughtout the semester. Quizzes are time sensitive tasks and will be available on iLearn for a limited amount of time. No late submissions or time extensions will be accepted for quizzes unless you have an approved special consideration request.

Late assessment penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.    

This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. 

Presentation expectations

  • Assessment tasks (excluding quizzes) should be properly referenced using the APA7 system of referencing.
  • Text should be a minimum of 11 point font and line spacing 1.5.
  • When using images, cite the source, provide a label, and refer to them in your text.
  • Proof read your work at least twice. High standards of spelling and correct grammar are expected.

Assessment marks and feedback

Individual marks and feedback to students will be provided via Turnitin. Feedback will include the rubric, intext comments and general feeback. You are encouraged to utilise these resource to develop your skills in subsequent assessments.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Development project evaluation 40% No 12/04/2024
In-class Assessment 20% No QUIZ 1: 14/03/2024 QUIZ 2: 16/05/2024
Planning Panels 40% No 31/05/2024

Development project evaluation

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 12/04/2024
Weighting: 40%

 

A written evaluation (1,500 words) of real-world projects.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply critical thinking and practical experience in the field of planning and development.
  • Use plan reading and evaluation skills to solve development problems.

In-class Assessment

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 13 hours
Due: QUIZ 1: 14/03/2024 QUIZ 2: 16/05/2024
Weighting: 20%

 

In-class activities that monitor student engagement and understanding such as online quizzes and reflective activities.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply critical thinking and practical experience in the field of planning and development.
  • Apply skills in the theory and practice of development assessment process in NSW.
  • Apply a basic understanding of planning law and relevant planning instruments to development assessment.
  • Use plan reading and evaluation skills to solve development problems.

Planning Panels

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 31/05/2024
Weighting: 40%

 

A written report (1700 words) that documents the process of assessment and determining a development at a local planning panel.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply critical thinking and practical experience in the field of planning and development.
  • Apply skills in the theory and practice of development assessment process in NSW.
  • Apply a basic understanding of planning law and relevant planning instruments to development assessment.

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

This unit is taught in a studio/workshop format for three hours each week on Mondays from 1 - 4pm in the active learning space 430 at 12SW.

It is designed to develop some of the hands on skills you will need as a practicing planner. You will develop skills and acquire knowledge from this unit most effectively by regular attendance.

There are no texts for this unit, however, readings and other resources will be posted on iLearn under the topic headings and on the Leganto link. Please make sure you check the page throughout the semester as there will be new content added as needed.

Unit Schedule

This list outlines the topics to be covered in the unit. The order and content may change if circumstances require it, and any updates will be shown on iLearn.

  1. Introduction to unit, development theories and assessment tasks

  2. Statutory planning I: Legal framework for planning under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act

  3. Statutory planning II: NSW planning instruments

  4. Statutory planning III: Development standards and development control plans

  5. Development assessment I

  6. Development assessment II: incl. variations to development standards

  7. PUBLIC HOLIDAY

  8. Development assessment workshop

  9. Approval pathways: State Significant Development Heritage

  10. Heritage

  11. Planning in action: field trip to South Eveleigh

  12. Planning Panels workshop

NOTE: The Easter Monday public holiday falls on Monday 1 April so there will be no class that week (Week 7).

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. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

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/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2024.01R of the Handbook