Overview
In Construction Land Planning and Building Legislation, you will be introduced to the general requirements of statutory legislation, standards and codes related to land use planning and construction. You will learn about the connection between planning legislation and building legislation. You will identify and describe the difference between prescriptive and performance-based statutory instruments and how these forms of legislation are applied in the construction industry. You will examine the legal connection between the National Construction Code (NCC) and the requirement for compliance with the referenced Australian Standards. Relevant Australian Standards will be reviewed to develop a complete understanding of the legal obligations required to achieve compliance under building legislation, standards and codes.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Teaching Evaluation Reports 2023 T 1&2 and 2024 T1
There was some positive and negative student feedback provided in the Teaching Evaluation reports. Positive comments included that the lecture has a wealth of knowledge and a great teacher to learn from.
Explain the importance of the unit content to students from a developer and construction management perspective.
Feedback from Teaching Evaluation Reports 2023 T 1&2 and 2024 T1
Negative comments indicated that the teacher spoke too fast, the unit was too rushed, and more interaction was required.
Slow the lecture and tutorials delivery speed and increase student interaction/discussion.
- Critically analyse statutory planning and building control legislation relevant to formulating compliant development proposals for complex projects
- Synthesise and evaluate statutory planning and building control legislation to enable the implementation of complex construction projects
- Evaluate and interpret the statutory, environmental and societal influences that inform planning theory and land use patterns including urban expansion, consolidation and renewal
- Demonstrate expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility to solve complex problems using cognitive, technical and creative skills.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||
| 2 - Case Study - 40% | ||||
| 3 - In-class Test(s) - 20% | ||||
| 4 - In-class Test(s) - 10% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | ||||
| 2 - Communication | ||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | ||||
| 4 - Research | ||||
| 5 - Self-management | ||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | ||||
| 7 - Leadership | ||||
| 8 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 9 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
Principles of Performance Based Legislation
(2024)
Authors: Darryl O'Brien
LexisNexis
ISBN: ISBN: 9780409357127
Additional Textbook Information
All students must access the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022, Volumes One and Two, which is available free of charge through the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) website. Printed copies are optional and not required for this unit. Additional ABCB handbooks and guides referenced in the weekly content are also freely available and will be linked under the unit’s Learning Resources section in Moodle.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Headset with microphone
- Microsoft Powerpoint
- Microsoft Word
- ZOOM
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
k.mirzaei@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Topic 1: Introduction to Australian Planning and Building Legislation
Chapter
1
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 2: Statutory Planning Fundamentals
Chapter
2
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 3: Residential Development Control and Assessment
Chapter
3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 4: Heritage Protection Frameworks and Approval Pathways
Chapter
4
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 5: Planning Schemes, Zonings and Overlays
Chapter
5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 is due on Week 5 Thursday.
Assessment 1 (30%) Due: Week 5 Thursday (9 Apr 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Topic 6: Introduction to National Construction Code (NCC)
Chapter
6
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Vacation Week, Nothing Planned. Enjoy the break.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 7: NCC Section B, Structure
Chapter
7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 8: NCC Section C, Fire Resistance
Chapter
8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 9: NCC Section D, Access and Egress
Chapter
9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 10: NCC Section F, Health and Amenity
Chapter
10
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2A is due on Week 10 Thursday.
Module/Topic
Topic 11: Livable Housing Design
Chapter
11
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2B should be presented in Week 11 in-class.
Assessment 2 (40%) Due: Week 11 Friday (29 May 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
The final quiz will be in Week 12 in-class.
Assessment 3 (20%) Due: Week 12 Friday (5 June 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
Assessment 1 is a written task in which students provide technical legislative advice on a proposed local heritage listing scenario, demonstrating their ability to interpret and apply Queensland planning and building legislation to categorisation of development, approval pathways, certifier powers, planning scheme controls, and heritage-related consequences.
AI Assessment Scale: AI Planning (You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas).
It is essential that your submission is entirely your own. If you use any sources, they must be appropriately cited in accordance with the CQU Harvard referencing style, as outlined in the CQU Harvard referencing guide.
Additional guidance and information about the assessment requirements can be found on the unit's Moodle site.
Week 5 Thursday (9 Apr 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Submit via Moodle Learning Site
Week 7 Thursday (30 Apr 2026)
Students will be advised if a delay emerges.
Student performance in this assessment will be evaluated based on their ability to:
- Demonstrate understanding of key legal principles relevant to building and construction contracts.
- Apply these principles accurately and logically to complex factual scenarios.
- Analyse and interpret contractual provisions, legal duties, and procedural requirements.
- Critically evaluate alternative legal outcomes and provide well-reasoned conclusions.
- Communicate findings clearly, coherently, and in a professionally structured format.
For further information, please refer to the marking rubric provided in the assessment brief.
- Synthesise and evaluate statutory planning and building control legislation to enable the implementation of complex construction projects
- Evaluate and interpret the statutory, environmental and societal influences that inform planning theory and land use patterns including urban expansion, consolidation and renewal
2 Case Study
Assessment 2 is a group-based case study assessment where students analyse a five-storey mixed-use building against NCC Volume 1 compliance requirements, submitting a written report addressing fire resistance levels, compartmentation, boundary separation, and egress provisions, and then delivering an in-class presentation that explains the group's compliance reasoning process, NCC application methodology, and key findings to the class.
This task is exempt from three-day grace period for submission.
AI Assessment Scale: AI Planning (You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas).
It is essential that your submission is entirely your own. If you use any sources, they must be appropriately cited in accordance with the CQU Harvard referencing style, as outlined in the CQU Harvard referencing guide.
Additional guidance and information about the assessment requirements can be found on the unit's Moodle site.
Week 11 Friday (29 May 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Submit via Moodle Learning Site, and presented in-class
Week 12 Friday (5 June 2026)
Students will be advised if a delay emerges.
Student performance in this assessment will be evaluated based on their ability to:
- Demonstrate understanding of key legal principles relevant to building and construction contracts.
- Apply these principles accurately and logically to complex factual scenarios.
- Analyse and interpret contractual provisions, legal duties, and procedural requirements.
- Critically evaluate alternative legal outcomes and provide well-reasoned conclusions.
- Communicate findings clearly, coherently, and in a professionally structured format.
For further information, please refer to the marking rubric provided in the assessment brief.
- Critically analyse statutory planning and building control legislation relevant to formulating compliant development proposals for complex projects
- Synthesise and evaluate statutory planning and building control legislation to enable the implementation of complex construction projects
- Evaluate and interpret the statutory, environmental and societal influences that inform planning theory and land use patterns including urban expansion, consolidation and renewal
3 In-class Test(s)
This assessment is an in-class multiple-choice quiz that evaluates your understanding of the unit content, completed under supervised conditions during the Week 12 lecture with automatic grading upon submission.
This task is exempt from three-day grace period for submission.
AI Assessment Scale: No AI use.
Week 12 Friday (5 June 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Present during workshop
Week 12 Friday (5 June 2026)
Mark will be returned to students on confirmation of grades day
Your responses will be automatically graded upon submission.
- Critically analyse statutory planning and building control legislation relevant to formulating compliant development proposals for complex projects
- Synthesise and evaluate statutory planning and building control legislation to enable the implementation of complex construction projects
- Evaluate and interpret the statutory, environmental and societal influences that inform planning theory and land use patterns including urban expansion, consolidation and renewal
- Demonstrate expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility to solve complex problems using cognitive, technical and creative skills.
4 In-class Test(s)
From Week 2 to Week 11, students will participate in one in-class activity each week as part of this assessment. This assessment is worth a total of 10% of the unit mark. Each weekly activity is marked out of 1%, and only the best eight results out of the ten activities will be counted toward the final mark. This approach allows students to miss up to two activities without penalty, provided they achieve full marks in the remaining activities. As an example, if a student miss two lectures, and get 1% from the rest, they still would get the full 10%. The weekly activities may include in-class quizzes, group-based presentations, or in-class debates and will be based on the topic covered in the lecture for that week. Participation is limited to students who are present in the lecture, and activities must be completed during class time.
This task is exempt from three-day grace period for submission.
AI Assessment Scale: No AI use.
Weekly in-class activities.
The mark will be returned before the certification of grades.
Student performance in this assessment will be evaluated based on their ability to:
Demonstrate understanding of key legal principles relevant to building and construction contracts.
Apply these principles accurately and logically to complex factual scenarios.
Analyse and interpret contractual provisions, legal duties, and procedural requirements.
Critically evaluate alternative legal outcomes and provide well-reasoned conclusions.
Communicate findings clearly, coherently, and in a professionally structured format.
- Evaluate and interpret the statutory, environmental and societal influences that inform planning theory and land use patterns including urban expansion, consolidation and renewal
- Demonstrate expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility to solve complex problems using cognitive, technical and creative skills.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
