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

This unit continues to be refined thanks to ongoing dialogue with teaching staff.

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:	Weekly analysis	Week 13	40 %	LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Planner's report	Week 14	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Representation

Task Description:

A representation is the planning term for formal input during public consultation. If you work as a planning consultant, you will need to write representations for clients. Based on a development scenario provided, write a letter to the relevant planning authority stating your views. 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 should be supported by evidence where possible.

Task Length:

Maximum 2000 words

Due Date:

Week 5 (30/Mar/2025)

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: Weekly analysis

Task Description:

Weekly post vary in nature and include interpreting planning news, activities in The LIST, discussing planning strategies, and discussing the scholarly literature.

There is no due date for this task given that it is ongoing assessment of your engagement with the weekly material.

Task Length:

On campus students complete the weekly task in at least 10 of 13 weeks of semester. Distance students post 200 words (max) weekly in at least 10 of 13 weeks of semester.

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

Assessment Task 3: Planner's report

Task Description:

Write a report outlining the relevant statutory planning tools for the major case study of the semester. The case study changes each year and we choose something that is current, so check MyLO for details.

Task Length:

Maximum 2000 words

Due Date:

Week 14 (01/Jun/2025)

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

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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.