Students

ENVS818 – Environmental Planning

2018 – S2 Evening

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Peter Davies
peter.davies@mq.edu.au
Katherine Dafforn
katherine.dafforn@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MEnv or MSc or MEnvEd or MEngMgt or MEnvMgt or MEnvStud or MEnvPlan or MPlan or MSusDev or MWldMgt or MMarScMgt or MSocEntre or GradDipEnv or GradCertEnv or GradCertSusDev or GradDipSusDev or GradCertEnvPlan or MConsBiol or GradDipConsBiol
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
ENVS718
Unit description Unit description
This unit focuses on the issues influencing environmental planning and policy in Australia. It examines contemporary policy and practice 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 constructive review of plans and policies and the development of practical skills used and required by professionals working in the field of environmental management and planning. The unit includes a field trip where students will learn and apply a range of techniques that are used to develop urban policies and plans.

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:

  • 1. Understand and critically assess environmental plans and policies across multiple scales and jurisdictions
  • 2. Apply environmental and planning law and policy to the decision-making process of government and industry
  • 3. Identify and critically assess the interests, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in environmental planning decisions
  • 4. Write for different target audiences
  • 5. Develop individual and group writing and research skills

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Environmental strategy review 20% No 21/08/2018
Field work reflection 5% No 04/09/2018
Policy briefing report 35% No 02/10/2018
Environmental assessment 40% No 30/10/2018

Environmental strategy review

Due: 21/08/2018
Weighting: 20%

The purpose of this assessment is to explore theory and practice of preparing strategic environmental plans for a city.  

This assignment has 3 parts. The first is to examine the academic literature, government guidelines, and industry reports that critically review and or outline what should (or should not) be in a strategic plan. The second part is to undertaken a comparative analysis of three strategic plans (this should contain at least one Australian and one international example). Your comparison may involve a strengths, weakness, opportunity and threat (SWOT) analysis or similar technique. The intention of this component is to assess the adequacy or otherwise of three actual strategic plans. Your discussion section, part 3, will then critically assess your plans against what is good practice.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Understand and critically assess environmental plans and policies across multiple scales and jurisdictions
  • 2. Apply environmental and planning law and policy to the decision-making process of government and industry
  • 3. Identify and critically assess the interests, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in environmental planning decisions
  • 5. Develop individual and group writing and research skills

Field work reflection

Due: 04/09/2018
Weighting: 5%

The purpose of this assessment is to get you to reflect on the field trip and how it contributed to your understanding of environmental planning issues at the local level.

Using the template provided on iLearn you are expected to analyse and reflect on your personal learning experience during the field trip as well as discuss the practical application of these learnings.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Understand and critically assess environmental plans and policies across multiple scales and jurisdictions
  • 2. Apply environmental and planning law and policy to the decision-making process of government and industry
  • 4. Write for different target audiences
  • 5. Develop individual and group writing and research skills

Policy briefing report

Due: 02/10/2018
Weighting: 35%

The purpose of this assessment is to deepen your understanding in one area of environmental policy. You will apply research and critical analysis skills and extend your writing and communication skills.  You will also apply your insights within an organisational context by way of evaluating the practical and policy implication.

You are required to write a briefing report (using a standard template) for the executive of a state government department or local council (choose one or the other) on the impacts of an environmental policy/framework on its strategy and operations. Your topics can include:

  • NSW Coastal Management Framework
  • Vegetation SEPP
  • NSW Government Greener Places Policy
  • Regional plan for the Greater Parramatta and Olympic Park precinct 
  • You may like to choose your own topic and if so you MUST see and have this agreed by the unit convenor prior to commencing your assignment.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Understand and critically assess environmental plans and policies across multiple scales and jurisdictions
  • 2. Apply environmental and planning law and policy to the decision-making process of government and industry
  • 3. Identify and critically assess the interests, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in environmental planning decisions
  • 4. Write for different target audiences
  • 5. Develop individual and group writing and research skills

Environmental assessment

Due: 30/10/2018
Weighting: 40%

This is a problem based learning and group assessment (maximum 4 students)

As a group task you are to prepare a review of environmental factors (REF) that would accompany a development application for a project. This is designed as a practical exercise to test your application of theory and learning across the semester. The details of the site and activity of the REF will be based on the field trip (25 August).
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Understand and critically assess environmental plans and policies across multiple scales and jurisdictions
  • 2. Apply environmental and planning law and policy to the decision-making process of government and industry
  • 3. Identify and critically assess the interests, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in environmental planning decisions
  • 4. Write for different target audiences
  • 5. Develop individual and group writing and research skills

Delivery and Resources

This unit comprises combined evening lecture and tutorials (3 hours) with accompanying field trips.

There is a mandatory full day field trip on 25 August. It is also planned that the unit will include 2 additional field trips in class time over the semester. 

Unit Schedule

 

Wk

Date

Lecture topic  

Practical Classes

Assessment Task

1

31 July

 

Unit overview and introduction to environmental planning (KD)

Overview of course and assessments

Future planning and group dynamics

 

2

7 Aug

 

Environmental strategic planning and policy (KD)

 

Environmental policy and land use zones (CL)

 

 3

14 Aug

ESD and Metropolitan planning within the NSW legal framework (Belinda Rayment, EDO NSW)

Local government land use planning and community based planning

 

4

21 Aug

 

Introduction to NSW Land and Environment Court and Class 1 (Scott Nash, MP Chambers)

 

 

Combined with lecture

Assessment 1 (20%)

25 Aug

Saturday field trip – Meadowbank and Wentworth Point (KD)

5

28 Aug

Class 4 - Judicial review and Class 5 - Criminal Proceedings (Scott Nash, MP Chambers)

 

Combined with lecture 

 

6

4 Sept  

Sustainable building design and urban water management (KD)

Introduction to REF process

 

Assessment 2 (5%)

7

11 Sept

Guest lecture - Natasha Hammond, MP Chambers

 

Combined with lecture

 

Mid-Semester Break

8

2 Oct

Greening cities and Urban Ecology (PD)

Planning skills masterclass

Assessment 3 (35%)

9

9 Oct

Integrated coastal zone planning and management (KD)

Adapting for climate change in the urban environment

 

10

16 Oct

Barangaroo field trip (KD)

Exploring cities and their relationship to the coast

 

11

23 Oct

Marine spatial planning (KD)

Introduction to AMSIS – Australian Marine Spatial Information System

 

12

30 Oct

No class in lieu of field trip

 

Assessment 4 (40%)

13

 6 Nov

 

Field Trip: North Sydney Coal loader

Green infrastructure policy overview (TBC)

Open space assessment matrix exercise

Unit wrap-up

 

 

 

Learning and Teaching Activities

Master Class - environmental planning instruments

In class exercise on how to understand and interpret local environment plans

Master Class - preparing a review of environmental factors

In class exercise on how to prepare an REF including what information is needed, where to find it and how to critically assess environmental impacts of an activity

Master Class - reading plans and applying building controls

In class exercise on using scale rules and applying land use controls at a lot level

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results shown in iLearn, 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 ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

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

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

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.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • 5. Develop individual and group writing and research skills

Assessment tasks

  • Environmental strategy review
  • Field work reflection
  • Policy briefing report
  • Environmental assessment

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 1. Understand and critically assess environmental plans and policies across multiple scales and jurisdictions
  • 2. Apply environmental and planning law and policy to the decision-making process of government and industry
  • 3. Identify and critically assess the interests, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in environmental planning decisions

Assessment tasks

  • Environmental strategy review
  • Field work reflection
  • Policy briefing report
  • Environmental assessment

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 1. Understand and critically assess environmental plans and policies across multiple scales and jurisdictions
  • 2. Apply environmental and planning law and policy to the decision-making process of government and industry
  • 5. Develop individual and group writing and research skills

Assessment tasks

  • Environmental strategy review
  • Field work reflection
  • Policy briefing report
  • Environmental assessment

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 1. Understand and critically assess environmental plans and policies across multiple scales and jurisdictions
  • 2. Apply environmental and planning law and policy to the decision-making process of government and industry

Assessment tasks

  • Policy briefing report
  • Environmental assessment

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 2. Apply environmental and planning law and policy to the decision-making process of government and industry
  • 4. Write for different target audiences

Assessment tasks

  • Field work reflection
  • Policy briefing report
  • Environmental assessment

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 3. Identify and critically assess the interests, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in environmental planning decisions
  • 4. Write for different target audiences

Changes from Previous Offering

This unit introduces new content related to the management of the coastal .environment reflecting student interest in this topic area. This has meant some content, such as mining has been excluded from the lectures. If students are interested in these topics their knowledge can they can be pursed within the major policy assessment task. 

The full day field trip has shifted location from western Sydney to the Greater Parramatta  and Olympic Park precinct and the final assessment task will be based on a site and proposed activity in this area.

A new in class field trip is proposed for this year to Barangaroo. This will complement the content and final class visit to the Coal Loader site at North Sydney.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
05/09/2018 I have updated the unit guide with the final schedule and adjusted assessment task