Graduate Certificate in River Health Management

The one-year part-time Graduate Certificate in River Health is delivered by a combination of distance learning and intensive periods of face-to-face teaching either on campus or at regional centres in Victoria.

The objective of this course is to increase the depth and diversity of the skills and knowledge of professionals practising in the Victorian waterway management industry and thus to improve the capacity of organisations to deliver their roles and responsibilities for catchment management.

Graduates of this course should:

Understand the technical content of the disciplines involved in river health and catchment management and its relationship to the broader objective of river health and total catchment management. Amongst other things, this involves an understanding of -

• river health policy and practice,
• the roles and responsibilities of catchment management agencies;
• appreciate how to create and acquire knowledge within their discipline, particularly by using and critically reviewing professional advice;
• be familiar with methods of applying their knowledge in practical settings; this includes -
• thinking and planning strategically,
• identifying both strategic directions and specific initiatives,
• making judgments about and challenging total catchment management policy and practice;
• realise how the creation, dissemination and application of knowledge about catchment management are intimately related;
• be able to articulate their knowledge in an appropriate form; in particular, to be able to:
• interact with a range of stakeholders to achieve community outcomes,
• manage human resources, and assist with development of leadership and succession planning;
• be capable of independent critical thought, that will enable them to:

• adapt and respond to evolving policy and operational circumstances,
• adapt and respond to unexpected outcomes of management actions,
• challenge current practices and facilitate positive changes; and exhibit analytic and problem-solving skills, in particular applying specific techniques for managing waterways and catchments.

The course comprises four subjects :

Fundamentals of Catchment Management

Subject Start: 18th June 2007
Intensive Date: 9th - 12th July 2007
Intensive Location: Lake Burnbrae Lodge

On-ground River and Water Protection and Water Resources

Subject Start 27th August 2007

Intensive Date: 17th - 20th September 2007
Intensive Location: Lake Hume Resort

Community Caretaker for River Health and Water Resources

Subject Start 29th October 2007

Intensive Date: 19th - 22nd November 2007
Intensive Location: Trawool Valley Resort

Integrated Management Plans (please note change of unit dates)

Subject Start 11th February 2008

Intensive Date: 11th - 14th March 2008
Intensive Location: Lake Burnbrae Lodge

All applicants must demonstrate that they meet the following minimum entry requirement:

• currently employed in the Victorian waterway management industry e.g. Catchment Management Authorities, Melbourne Water, Department of Sustainability and Environment;
• an understanding of waterway management consistent with a three-year undergraduate degree;
• the skills of study that are consistent with a three-year degree; and
• the time and resources to undertake the course.

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