Environmental law covers a wide range of issues, including biodiversity conservation, energy supply, land clearing, mining, pollution control, waste management and water resources. Planners engage with environmental law in a wide variety of ways, and lawyers interested in working on planning and environmental issues frequently need a sound understanding of planning practice.

This specialisation is designed to serve professionals in both groups who want to develop a strong understanding of the interfaces between environmental law and planning. You’ll acquire an advanced understanding of domestic and international environmental law in an integrated and interdisciplinary context. You’ll gain specialised legal knowledge and research skills applicable to professional practice in planning in a variety of areas, including climate change law, impact assessment, Indigenous peoples and the law, and sustainable development. 

Key Features

• This specialisation is available in the Master of Planning, which is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia.
• You’ll have opportunities to study in the classroom and in the field to integrate your theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
• You’ll be provided with training in foundations of planning, including planning law, strategic planning, assessing development proposals and decision making, with a detailed and advanced focus on environmental law.
• You’ll develop advanced skills in critical analysis as you evaluate the special ethical, policy and professional challenges raised by practice in the area of environmental law as it relates to public policy and planning.
• You’ll develop advanced research and problem-solving skills to address contemporary environmental law challenges as a planning professional.

• Environmental lawyer
• Environmental planner
• Local government planner or development assessor
• Social development or environmental consultant
• Social planner
• Strategic planner

• Government departments
• Local government authorities
• Planning consultancies
• Residential developers, eg, Landcom
• Community sector organisations in urban development, housing and planning