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:
- 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
Other Information
LAWS4215 Environmental Law and LAWS4274 Climate Law are complementary. Students are encouraged to complete Environmental Law prior to Climate Law, however, this is not essential.
Classes may be offered in non-standard sessions and be taught on an intensive base with compulsory contact hours (a minimum of 36 hours). Please refer to the LLB timetable for dates. Please contact the ANU College of Law Student Administration Services to request a permission code to enrol in classes offered in non-standard sessions.
Indicative Assessment
- Seminar Reading Paper (null) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- 2 x Quiz on Core Legislation (null) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- 1 x Case Study Research Project (null) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Class and online participation (null) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- A minimum attendance requirement applies in relation to both lectures and seminars (null) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
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
- Classes offered in non-standard sessions will be taught on an intensive base with compulsory contact hours (approximately 36 hours of face to face teaching). The course will also require advanced preparation through assigned readings. In total, it is anticipated that the hours required for completion of this course (class preparation, teaching and completion of assessment) will not exceed 120 hours.
- Classes offered during semester periods are expected to have three contact hours per week. Students are generally expected to devote at least 10 hours overall per week to this course.
Click here for the LLB Program course list
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Students must rely on the approved Class Summary which will be posted to the Programs and Courses site approximately two weeks prior to the commencement of the course. Alternatively, this information will be published in the Program course list when known.
Assumed Knowledge
LAWS2202/ 6202 Commonwealth Constitutional Law is recommended
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 34
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4980 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6000 |
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.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8887 | 22 Jul 2024 | 29 Jul 2024 | 31 Aug 2024 | 25 Oct 2024 | In Person | N/A |
