Professional Practice, Planning and Assessment

This unit of study examines planning principles, processes and practices in Australia. Private and municipal building surveyors carry out the statutory role of ensuring that proposed building projects meet relevant compliance requirements prior to issuing building permits in accordance with planning permits. Research skills such as writing a proposal, undertaking literature search and persuasive writing will be applied to substantiate a case for decision making in the context of planning, heritage, sustainability, indigenous culture and environmental protection. Critical analysis in the capacity of building surveyors will be applied to public policy, professional practice, ethics and the code of conduct.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Critically analyse and interpret relevant approving authority requirements for assessing and issuing planning applications and building permits to ensure adherence to relevant parties, administrative processes, public policy, professional judgment, historical context and contemporary issues;
2. Critically evaluate relevant planning and building documentation, including the impact of performance-based solutions on building maintenance and alterations, for various building projects and assess applications for compliance with relevant legislation, codes, regulations and Local Government Authority planning requirements;
3. Formulate and outline research including developing a research proposal, undertaking a literature review, utilise appropriate research methods, analyse results, discuss findings, draw conclusions and present a cogent and concise technical report;
4. Deconstruct an argument and postulate a robust counter-argument; and
5. Advocate, respect and value cultural diversity and indigenous rights and develop creative solutions to contribute to a sustainable world.