Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

To develop an understanding of the principles and processes associated with planning and environmental law. At the completion of the subject, students should have acquired a sound understanding of the major concepts involved with town planning law, environmental legislation and legal actions that will be applicable to professional practice.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to help the student to learn how environmental law and assessment are important for making decisions in engineering projects.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Understand the integration of environmental law, planning and assessment to engineering decision making.
2. Understand the legal, planning and environmental assessment aspects of engineering projects.
3. Competence in engineering investigation and reporting with particular emphasis on literature searching and review and communicating the various aspects of project work in written, verbal and electronic forms.
4. Function effectively as a team member to work towards set objectives in order to achieve your activity goals; resolve somewhat defined tasks and manage time and a limited range of resources to achieve your activity goals.

Content

• Introduction to law and the legal system. Legal principles relevant to Environment and Planning law.


• Legal research and library tour.


• Introduction to SPA. Sustainable Planning System.


• Integrated Development Assessment System under SPA.


• Appeals and enforcement under SPA.


• Master planning under SPA.


• Infrastructure planning under SPA.


• Land contamination and water pollution.


• Environmental impact assessment and other environmental legislation.


• Impact assessment and environmental management systems.


• Air, noise and odour pollution.


• Student Seminar Presentation

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching Mode: 3 hours per week
Lecture: 3

The three hour teaching session will comprise of a flexible lecture format, with a study guide and notes handed out at each lecture. A tour of the Law Library will be conducted in Week 2. A moot court will be conducted in Week 13. The contents will be based on the assignment handed out in Week 2. There are group assignments to encourage contribution, cooperation and facilitation.

Learning approaches will cover the following:
- Problem based
- Self-learning
- Individual learning
- Team based learning
- Reflective
- Presentation

Assessment

QUT's Assessment Policy is located at MOPP C/5.1.The principles of criterion referenced assessment are implemented in this unit, in which the criteria for each item of assessment will be clearly linked to the objectives of the unit. Criteria and standards will be provided to you at the time the assessment item is released, and you will be given the opportunity to understand them.

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Final Examination
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Assessment name: Report and Preparation
Description: Report and Preparation, Moot Court
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: End of Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Text Books:
1. England, P, Integrated planning in Queensland (Federation Press, 2001)
2. Fogg, Land Development Law in Queensland (Law Book Co, 1987)
3. Duncan (ed), Planning Law in Queensland (Federation Press, 1993)
4. Fisher, Environmental Law: Text and Materials (Law Book Co, 1993)
5. Day, D and Nall, S, Town Planning Appeals: A Citizens Guide (Boolarong Publications, 1988)
6. Qld Department of Communication, Information, Local Government and Planning, IPA: Explanatory Guide 1998
7. Reed, A and Booth, G, The IPA Road Map (Property Council of Australia, 1998)

Statutes:
Prescribed statutes
These pieces of legislation should be purchased or down-loaded from the Internet - www.legislation.qld.gov.au. They will also be 'Kept at Desk' in the Library.

1. Integrated Planning Act 1997
2. Sustainable Planning Act 2009.

Other Legislation:
1. Environmental Protection Act 1994, and Environmental Protection Regulation 2008
2. Local Government Act 2009
3. State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971
4. Nature Conservation Act 1992
5. Contaminated Land Act 1994
6. Queensland Heritage Act 1992
7. Environmental Protection (Air) Policy 2008
8. Environmental Protection (Noise) Policy 2008
9. Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Regulation 2000
10. Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Policy 2000
11. Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009

Risk assessment statement

You will undertake lectures in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 16-May-2012