Students

GEOP2080 – Planning and Development

2025 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor and Lecturer
Elizabeth Adamczyk
elizabeth.adamczyk@mq.edu.au
Level 2, 25B Wally's Walk
By email
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.
  • ULO3: Apply a basic understanding of planning law and relevant planning instruments to development assessment.
  • ULO2: Apply skills in the theory and practice of development assessment process in NSW.
  • 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 instructions for each assessment item, including the marking criteria and rubric. The assessment folder also includes useful resources and examples. 

In-class assessments will be conducted throughout 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 without 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 (including 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. A 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 per APA7 style guide, and refer to them in discussion / text.
  • Proof read your work at least twice. High standards of correct spelling, grammar, and formatting are expected.

Assessment marks and feedback

Individual marks and feedback to students will be provided via Turnitin. Feedback will include the rubric, in-text comments and general feedback. You are encouraged to utilise these resources to further develop skills to apply in subsequent assessments.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Planning skills 20% No In-class Assessment QUIZ 1: 18/03/2025 QUIZ 2: 13/05/2025
Development project evaluation 40% No 13/04/2025
Planning Panels 40% No 2025-06-06

Planning skills

Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 13 hours
Due: In-class Assessment QUIZ 1: 18/03/2025 QUIZ 2: 13/05/2025
Weighting: 20%

 

Planning skills activities that monitor student engagement and understanding

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

Development project evaluation

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 13/04/2025
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.

Planning Panels

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 2025-06-06
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 a basic understanding of planning law and relevant planning instruments to development assessment.
  • Apply skills in the theory and practice of development assessment process in NSW.

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 Tuesdays from 9am - 12pm in active learning space 1CC 105.

It is designed to develop some of the hands on skills that will be needed 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 to check the page regularly 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. Evaluating development workshop

  8. Conflict in development

  9. Approval pathways: SSPs

  10. Planning for Heritage

  11. Planning in action: South Eveleigh field trip

  12. Planning Panels

 

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/

Academic Success

Academic Success 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 2025.02 of the Handbook