207-335 Resource Management Policy and Action

207-205 Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management

This subject will provide a general introduction to the development, implementation and review of environmental policy, and its relationship with the legal system. A variety of both Australian and international case studies will be examined, with a range of guest speakers to further explore these themes. At the completion of the subject, students should have developed an appreciation for the role of the legal and policy development process in the management of public and private land resources.

The content includes:

• the Australian legal system and the formation of law;

• the role of environmental law on a national and international scale;

• the major state and national legislation associated with land use, conservation and/or environment;

• the scope, objectives and practices of the major government agencies involved in public and private land policy development and implementation in Australia;

• assessment/regulatory procedures for potential environmental impacts of proposed developments;

• environmental policy at the international, national, state and local level, including the roles and powers of major stakeholders;

• environmental activism in Australia, and the role of populist opinion in policy development;

• the concept of ecological, economic and social sustainable development as a framework for environmental policy;

• policy analysis techniques and policy instruments, including regulatory and economic instruments; and

• future perspectives on environmental policy in Australia.

Examination of 3 hours duration (40 %), two assignments of 3000 words (25% each) and a seminar presentation (10%).