Availabilities:

LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1,5
Term1,5
Online
Term1,5
N/A

Unit description

Examines the crucial role of local government in relation to environmental decision-making, and its powers and functions generally. It provides a comprehensive grasp of planning laws within New South Wales, and provides a critical perspective on these laws. Local government has significant powers over the environment, and additional delegated authority under the Local Government Act 1993.

Unit content

Topic 1: The planning regime: ‘Who decides what in planning law?’
Topic 2: Approval process
Topic 3: Appeals
Topic 4: Enforcement role of local government
Topic 5: Modification of consents and planning instruments continuing and existing use rights
Topic 6: The role and responsibilities of local government
Topic 7: Honesty and disclosure of interests
Topic 8: Funding for councils
Topic 9: Local government functions Part 1: Regulatory and service functions
Topic 10: Local government functions Part 2: Environmental management

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1demonstrate knowledge of the constitution and structure of local government, and the way in which environmental planning instruments are made
2demonstrate an understanding of the application of environmental planning instruments to an existing or proposed development on an area of land, and of the process for obtaining local government approval for an activity
3critically evaluate the existing system of planning and emerging challenges
4analyse and apply in any given factual situation the law with respect to the processes of local government decision-making.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate knowledge of the constitution and structure of local government, and the way in which environmental planning instruments are made
  2. demonstrate an understanding of the application of environmental planning instruments to an existing or proposed development on an area of land, and of the process for obtaining local government approval for an activity
  3. critically evaluate the existing system of planning and emerging challenges
  4. analyse and apply in any given factual situation the law with respect to the processes of local government decision-making.

Prescribed Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts
  • No prescribed texts.
Prescribed Resources/Equipment
  • Students should have access to electronic copies of the legislation referred to in the Unit, most importantly the Local Government Act 1993, Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. Current versions of the Acts and accompanying regulations can be found at < www.legislation.nsw.gov.au > and < www.austlii.edu.au >.

Prescribed Texts
  • Prescribed text information is not currently available.
Prescribed Resources/Equipment
  • Prescribed resources/equipment information is not currently available.
Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)
Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)
Assessment
Exam: open book60%
Essay40%

Teaching method
Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)
Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)
Assessment
Exam: open book60%
Essay40%
Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every teaching period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the teaching period.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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