Unit Outline

This unit will give you an insight into the legal basis of planning in Tasmania. We cater to people wanting to practice as planners and also those wishing to become more informed citizens by better understanding the key legal principles and practices of planning. We discuss concepts of natural justice and sustainability (social, economic, environmental) through case studies. Considerable attention is paid to the creation, interpretation, critical analysis and comprehension of planning schemes and development applications, since these are central to much of the day-to-day business of planning. This unit is a core component of the educational requirements of the Planning Institute of Australia.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Evaluate statutory planning processes associated with plan making, implementation and administration.
2.	Analyse relevant acts and planning schemes to assess typical plan making.
3.	Recommend planning actions that are sympathetic to social, physical, and statutory contexts.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Representation	Week 5	30 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Planner's report	Week 9	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Weekly content analysis	Week 13	40 %	LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Representation

Task Description:

A representation is the planning term for formal input during a public consultation period. Making a representation requires that council (or the relevant authority) note your opinion and keep you informed of the progress in this matter. If you work as a planning consultant, you will need to write representations for clients.

Based on a development scenario provided in MyLO, write a letter to the relevant planning authority making a representation in relation to the application. You might be for or against the application. There is no right content in terms of what angle you take, but the details about the proposed development outlined in the application must be correct. Your comments must be based on the planning scheme and the development. Statements should be supported by evidence where possible.

Task Length:

Maximum 2000 words

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Analysed how the development relates to you, the issues you are concerned with, and recommend conditions that would alleviate your concerns.	LO1
2	Evaluated the development against the planning scheme and any other relevant planning controls.	LO1, LO2
3	Cite information source and make a clear distinction between your opinion and factual (referenced) material.	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Planner's report

Task Description:

Based on development scenario in MyLO, you will write a report outlining the relevant statutory planning tools. Elaborate on the connections between statutory and strategic planning in the case study, and the role for each.

Task Length:

Maximum 2000 words

Due Date:

Week 9

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Evaluate the development application and representations to identify issues that trigger the planning scheme.	LO1
2	Explain the issues in dispute using reference to representations, planning scheme and other relevant resources.	LO1, LO2
3	Compile a clear, logically-structured report and recommendation for decision-makers.	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Weekly content analysis

Task Description:

Post in the MyLO Discussions in at least 10 of the 12 weeks of discussion. Demonstrate that you have completed the weekly reading and lectures.

Task Length:

Post around 300 words in 10 of the 12 weeks of MyLO Discussions

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain your choice of cases and the issues involved.	LO3
2	Reference the planning context use external sources, including academic and news sources, where relevant, to support your narrative.	LO2, LO3
3	Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the current planning system using your case studies.	LO2, LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.