Environmental Impact Assessment unit (KGA581)

Hobart, Online

Introduction

This unit introduces legal, administrative, scientific, and social aspects of environmental impact assessment (EIA) using case studies. The unit emphasises the practical aspects of environmental impact assessment in Tasmanian contexts, but environmental impact assessment processes and legislation are similar in many parts of the world. Being able to navigate the Tasmanian system will translate well into be able to work in environmental impact assessment in other parts of Australia and internationally. The unit is strongly work-integrated, with a significant emphasis on professional practice skills that will bridge from studies into the workplace. In addition to learning to assess developments under the Tasmanian planning system, this unit has an emphasis on critiquing the planning system at the state and national level using news sites and the scholarly literature.

Summary

Unit name	Environmental Impact Assessment
Unit code	KGA581
Credit points	25
College/School	Sciences and Engineering School of Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences
Discipline	Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences
Coordinator	Doctor Emma Little
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Postgraduate

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Semester 2
Online	Semester 2

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 2	5/7/2026	27/7/2026	30/8/2026	24/10/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Explain how the environment is considered as part of the application process for a development assessed at local government level (council).
• Evaluate the environmental and social context for an environmental impact assessment of a project assessed at the state government level (Environmental Protection Authority).
• Assess the challenges around the system of environmental impact assessment in Australia for a particular issue or sector.
• Debate the environmental impact assessment process in Tasmania, other parts of Australia and internationally using a range of sources.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
050999	$2,384.00	$2,384.00	not applicable	$6,764.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	1 x 1-hour online lecture per week, 1 x 2-hour on campus or online workshops per week, 1 x 1-hour discussion group per week. Fieldtrips to support case studies.
Assessment	Local case study (20%)|Planner's report (20%)|Debate (30%)|In class discussion (30%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

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