Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
- This unit is designed to provide students with an overview of the key legislative frameworks—planning law, land law and administrative law—that guide the Western Australian (WA) planning system. More specifically, the unit examines a range of issues including (1) the West Australian Planning and Development Act 2005; (2) Torrens land system; (3) land subdivision; (4) planning schemes; (5) the development approval process; (6) planning enforcement and approvals; and (7) administrative law as it relates to contracts, torts and insurance. These various legal contexts provide the foundations of professional planning practice.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate a general understanding of the broad planning law framework within WA, especially in relation to planning schemes, development control and subdivision matters; (2) demonstrate an understanding of the legal and planning administrative processes that underpin the formulation and assessment of planning schemes and their amendment as well as development and subdivision applications; and (3) undertake general planning administration duties as they relate to planning schemes, development assessment and/or subdivision applications when on professional planning practicum.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) three planning law quizzes (10 per cent each); (2) a seminar/discussion paper; and (3) an examination—multiple-choice and short answer questions. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Linda Robson
- Unit rules
- Incompatibility
- EART4413 Principles of Land Development and Control
- Contact hours
- 4 hours per week. The total workload for the unit is 150 hours.
- Texts
Planning Law Handbook (purchase directly from Adjunct Prof. Denis McLeod)
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.