99029 Ground Rules for Contaminated Sites
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject explores how Australian regulatory frameworks for contaminated site management are applied in real world situations. Students learn advanced skills and knowledge focused on Australian guidelines and regulation, developments and trends in site assessment, an overview of contaminants, how to conduct site assessments responsibly and avoid legal pitfalls, plus an overview of remediation and management techniques and technologies. Additionally, students are engaged in what is expected in the roles, responsibilities and career paths of the various groups of professionals working in contaminated site management, including site auditors, consultants, local government officers, regulators.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Describe the process of contaminated land management in Australia and be familiar with the key legislation and Government guidance that regulates it |
|---|---|
| 2. | Understand the history and environmental, ecological and social significance of contaminated land |
| 3. | Design simple site assessment strategies |
| 4. | Recognise the priority and emerging land contaminants in Australia, and describe their essential properties in terms of origin, mobility and toxicity in the environment. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate advanced and up-to-date applications of environmental consultancy and conservation practice and deliver advanced evaluation and interpretations of problems and solutions as a leader in environmental management. (1.1)
- Address the challenge of real-world environmental issues by investigating different solutions to complex problems. Independently research, synthesize, and critically evaluate information from a variety of sources and apply that knowledge to professional contexts. Critique techniques in environmental assessment and conservation practice. (2.1)
- Design best-practice solutions to complex site problems through creative application of technologies and commitment to self-directed learning. Demonstrate the ability to reflect and make effective judgments about one's own work as a professional environmental scientist. (4.1)
- Communicate across a range of technologies in a rigorous and effective manner, matching the structure and level of communication to target audiences. Examine and articulate environmental problems and solutions within local, regional, and global settings using appropriate media. Judge the use of interpersonal communication skills with scientists, land owners, industry partners, government agencies and global communities. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject is intended to develop the following Graduate Attributes:
1. Disciplinary Knowledge
The information presented throughout the self-paced online learning and collaborative lectures provides a comprehensive overview of the key concepts and terminology of contaminated land assessment, remediation and management, illustrated with a range of contemporary Australian case studies. A sound understanding of disciplinary knowledge will comprise part of all learning and assessment.
2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking
The inquiry-oriented approaches required in the self-paced learning and in the workshops develop independence of thought and exposure to the many points of view inherent in managing real-world pollution issues. Sharing the lectures and workshops with the participants of the concurrent UTS Open short course provide further opportunity for learning by working with people who are already employed in contaminated land management. Students are encouraged to consider and express their opinions as well as presenting conflicting perspectives across the stakeholder group. This is assessed in the short video presentation.
4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity
In-depth reflection on current and historic case studies will develop a sound understanding of the history underpinning our present methodologies for contaminated land management, and an appreciation of the development of new methods and technologies that are ongoing.
5. Communication
Scientific writing skills are further developed in the reporting assessment, and oral presentation is developed via the short recorded video task. Formative assessment is aimed at developing clear, higher-level scientific communication skills which are accessible for a range of audiences, including non-scientists, and comprehensive feedback will be provided for each of the assessment tasks.
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject is largely delivered over a 3-day block, with online learning in Canvas before and after the block event. Online learning includes interactive, self-paced lessons focused on the history, principles and practice of contaminated land management in Australia. The workshops within the 3-day on-campus block will comprise of approximately four x 90-minute sessions per day, with different Australian experts presenting topics in each session. A half-day field trip is included in 3-day block. Between sessions, there will be tea and lunch breaks which will allow you to get to know other participants and to enhance your professional network.
All expert presenters use recent case studies to illustrate the concepts they present. Real-life problems are workshopped in small groups so that you can apply the concepts yourself, and work together with environmental professionals attending the short course. Questions are welcomed by the experts as they provide the opportunity to generate authentic group discussion, and draw in other environmental concepts and challenges connected to contaminated land.
Content (topics)
Content includes:
The development of contaminated land methodologies internationally and their evolution in Australia;
Planned and recently introduced changes to guidelines and regulation, focussing primarily on NSW;
The basics of contaminated site assessment and remediation practice, including risk assessment;
New developments and current trends in site assessment;
How to conduct CSARM responsibly and thus avoid legal pitfalls;
The current emerging contaminants of concern and their impact on assessment and remediation of contaminated sites;
The professional roles, responsibilities and career paths of the various groups of professionals working in CSARM – site auditors, consultants, local government officers, and regulators.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Assessment task 1: Quiz: Contaminated Land Knowledge Check
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Criteria: | Marks are awarded for correct answers to quiz questions. Students will receive feedback on their answers. |
Assessment task 2: Assessment task 2: Short video presentation – guided case study
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge 2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Criteria: | Detailed assessment criteria for the video will be available on Canvas. Students will receive formative feedback on their answers. |
Assessment task 3: Assessment task 3: Short Report: Site assessment design
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge 2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1 and 4.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Criteria: | Detailed assessment criteria will be available on Canvas. Marks will be awarded for correct and relevant content, appropriate inclusion of diagrams and tables and evidence of clear written communication skills. Students will receive formative feedback on their answers. |
Minimum requirements
Attendance at the 3-day block workshop. Students must obtain a minimum of 50% for the cumulative marks in the subject in order to pass.
Required texts
Students are expected to read and understand the self-paced online learning that is provided in Canvas, to watch the videos provided and be able to use and refer to the documents included in Canvas.
Recommended texts
Australian National Environmental Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999. Schedule B1 Recommended general process for assessment of site contamination
Australian National Environmental Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999. Schedule B2: Guideline on Site Characterisation
Australian National Environmental Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999. Schedule B6: Guideline on the Framework for Risk-based Assessment of Groundwater
All three schedules are available from this website: http://nepc.gov.au/resource/ephc-archive-assessment-site-contamination-nepm
References
A list of required reading is provided in Canvas.