78242 Property Rights and the Environment

Description

This subject explores the intersections between property rights and the environment in three ways. First, property rights in natural resources, such as coal seam gas, water and genetic material, are explored. Second, the relationship between property rights and environmental change, such as the protection of private property from coastal erosion, and from major flooding and fire events, is considered. Third, the intersection of property rights and environmental law is examined, for example prohibitions on clearing vegetation on private land, conservation covenants and compensation for acquisition of property rights through the operation of environmental law. From ground-breaking case law of Australian Courts to legal, political and scientific scholarship; from policy development to media coverage, this subject provides students with the breadth of perspective encompassing the political, economic, scientific and social aspects of the topic of property and the environment. From this broad perspective, students are invited to select one issue identified in the subject material (or their own topic) through which they can develop their research skills culminating in a major in-depth report. Teaching in the subject explicitly focuses on the development of professional research skills. Students are encouraged to write up their research to a level suitable for submission to peer-reviewed journals for consideration for publication.