This course provides an overview of topics within domestic Australian environmental protection law. Environmental Law is the complex, sometimes connected, and sometimes disparate collection of treaties, conventions, statutes, regulations, and case law which involve questions of the interactions of humans with the natural environment. More modern conceptions of environmental law see its purpose as encouraging long-term ecological sustainability, rather than merely providing rules for orderly exploitation of natural resources.
The course critically examines the institutional arrangements and legal principles that underpin the practice of environmental and planning law.The course examines environmental law from both theoretical and practical perspectives, taking a broad national and thematic approach. Whilst it places particular emphasis on the applicable Commonwealth, NSW and ACT law, the course reviews fundamental concepts, useful tools and insights with which to understand and critically analyse environmental law.
Topics covered include:
- introduction defining the 'environment', 'ecologically sustainable development';
- the common law and environmental protection;
- environmental law in a federal system;
- role of local and state governments;
- statutory land-use planning and development control law;
- evironmental impact assessment law;
- bodiversity law;
- native vegetation law;
- pollution control law;
- a brief introduction to climate change and energy law;
- environmental litigation;
- enforcement of environmental law; and
- major projects law.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon successful completion of the course it is expected that students will be able to:- demonstrate a broad (and at times advanced) knowledge of key principles, legal doctrine and legal regimes relevant to Australian environmental law, and communicate this knowledge to a variety of audiences in a clear and coherent manner;
- conduct independent research into primary and secondary materials on an Australian environmental law problem;
- identify relevant (Australian) state and/or federal environmental law and, using intellectual initiative and judgment, explain how the relevant law is applicable, with reference to a particular environmental law issue/problem
- analyse and critically evaluate secondary materials and commentary on Australian environmental law and policy.
- demonstrate a broad understanding of fundamental principles of environmental law and awareness of environmental law in context terminology, rationale, theories and approaches of Australian environmental law;
- critically analyse the role and implications of environmental law within the context of wider perspectives in order to develop new understanding from perspectives including:
b. Comparative law perspectives with reference to international environmental law;
c. Public participation and environmental justice;
d. Indigenous perspectives on environmental law;
e. Implementation and compliance perspectives; and
f. Future directions – law reform
Indicative Assessment
The assessment scheme consists of 4 compulsory items - the largest of which is a Case Study Research Project - plus participation requirements:- Seminar Reading Paper
- 2 x Quiz on Core Legislation
- 1 x Case Study Research Project
- Class and online participation
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Three contact hours per week. Students are generally expected to devote at least 10 hours overall per week to this course.Requisite and Incompatibility
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 3
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $3216 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $4590 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Summer Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1829 | 12 Dec 2016 | 12 Dec 2016 | 06 Jan 2017 | 03 Feb 2017 | In Person | N/A |
