Integrated Management Plans

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject allows the student to see how integrated planning and investment across regions is required to achieve long-term region scale goals. It demonstrates how to move from rhetoric to reality in implementing catchment scale plans in an environment of uncertainty. It will focus on existing Regional Plans and reassess them in the light of a review of theory, principles and case studies from around the world.

The subject takes a theoretical approach to prioritisation and planning and then progressively introduces practical considerations and gaming that recognise the reality of the seven "Principles of Natural Resource Management".

The structured remote learning component reviews planning theory and relevant legislation, and gathers information on existing regional plans.

Students also work remotely on their project, which for this subject involves investigating how their previous program fits into a long term regional context. The four day intensive face to face session begins with a review of existing catchment plans, and then uses theory, gaming and international case studies to help students build a critique of the existing plan and make suggestions for its improvement.

There is also a presentation dealing with skills for communicating and generating ownership of regional catchment strategies.

A one-hour written test on theoretical approaches to catchment planning (10 percent)

Group "catchment planning" exercise. Equivalent to 1,000 words each plus participation (20 percent)

Tutorial exercises and short tests during the intensive phase (10 percent)

Individual project report(s) equivalent to a 4,000 word assignment (50 percent)

500 word (equivalent) ongoing critique of the subject's relevance to the key natural resources management principles (10 percent)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On the successful completion of this subject students should:

be able to recognise the interdependence of programs and how to integrate them into effective region wide plans;

understand how the seven natural resource management principles are served by integrated planning across regions;

be confident in challenging existing policy and practice and managing uncertainty in the formulation of regional catchment plans;

appreciate how to create and acquire knowledge and apply it to optimise the outcomes of regional plans; and

understand the benefits of agreed long term aspirational goals in effective catchment management.