Year 10: Monday 25/7 Period 4

1. What title does Kevin Rudd have in the Australian Government? Explain what this role entails. Kevin Rudds title is foreign minister which means he deals with foreign affairs and international treaty organisations such as ASEAN.
2. What is Kevin Rudd's concern? Mr Rudd told Mr Pak it was “unacceptable” for North Korea to blame on others the security problems it had caused for the whole region, having recently torpedoed a South Korean naval frigate, shelled civilians’ homes across the border  and defied two UN Security Council resolutions by pursuing an enriched uranium weapons program.
3. What forum was he at to express his concerns? Kevin Rudd was at the ASEAN Regional Forum blaming the US, South Korea and Japan for  provoking the current dangerous instability on the Korean Peninsula.
4. What actions have North Korea performed recently which have Rudd alarmed and the region lacking stability? Rudd was alarmed at North Korea having recently torpedoed a South Korean naval frigate, shelled civilians’ homes across the border  and defied two UN Security Council resolutions by pursuing an enriched uranium weapons program.
5. What is a 'direct threat' to Australia according to Rudd? Kevin Rudd was refering to the long range missile "Taepodong-2" Which could fire a distance of over 15,000 km, a direct threat to Northern Australia.
6. What do you think that Rudd is trying to accomplish diplomatically by calling out his North Korean counterpart publicly? How does this relate to Australia's relationship and role in the region? 
7. How does this relate to Australia's relationship to major allies?

Year 10: Australian Aid

Year 10: Australian Aid - Article Summary

• In the past five years Australia's overseas aid budget has doubled. In the next five years it will double again. By 2015 we will be spending $8 billion a year on helping people overseas. All sides of politics support this, and many other rich countries are doing the same. But no one explains why it is happening. There is an uneasy sense that we might all be deluding ourselves.
• So it seemed like a good idea when, late last year, Kevin Rudd announced a review of Australia's overseas aid program by an impressive panel of experts. Rudd recently released their report, and his response. The report is full of good sense about how to allocate and administer all the extra money. But neither the panel's report nor the government's response provides a really convincing answer to the bigger underlying questions about the purpose of our aid program and the reason it's growing so fast.

• Perhaps they think the answer is obvious. Helping people in need is a good thing to do, and there are always more people who need help. But spending money in ways that makes no difference doesn't help anyone, and there is no virtue in aid that makes donors feel good but doesn't help the needy.

 

• Of course some aid really does help. Most obviously, emergency relief after disasters such as Indonesia's tsunami can save thousands. But this accounts for only 7 per cent of today's program.
• The vast bulk of our aid is supposed to help overcome long-term poverty. It is certainly a big problem; a billion people still live on less than $1.25 a day. But there are two things about poverty we need to understand.
• First, poverty is being overcome. In 1981, 54 per cent of the world's people lived in extreme poverty. By 2005 this had fallen to 25 per cent. In 2015 it will be less than 15 per cent, according to the World Bank.
• Second, it's not being beaten by aid, but by economic growth. Many of the world's most populous nations, left behind two centuries ago by the industrial revolution, are finally catching up. What we used to call ''the developing world'' has in the past few years overtaken ''the developed world'' in economic output. In China, economic growth has lifted half a billion people out of poverty since 1990.
• There is a strange alchemy to economic growth. It requires a remarkable confluence of factors - social, political and technological - to start whole populations moving from semi-subsistence farming to paid work. For decades, well-meaning Westerners have been trying to find out how to catalyse this process in poor countries. Different theories of development have driven successive fashions in aid, each new panacea discredited in its turn. Meanwhile, trillions of dollars and decades of devoted effort have done little.
• Now, as we watch some of the word's poorest countries start to grow of their own accord, we can see more clearly that aid in any form (capital, technology, roads, schools, armies of technical advisers) does not make much difference. The alchemy of growth depends above all on social and political circumstances and institutions. What works in any particular place or time depends on myriad local factors. It has to be home-grown, not engineered from outside.
• To see this we only need to look across Torres Strait. For almost 40 years, Australia's aid program to PNG has been one of the world's largest and most innovative, and yet PNG is no closer to sustainable economic growth or better living standards today than it was at independence in 1975.
• So why, now that so many of the word's largest and poorest countries have found their own ways to grow out of poverty, are countries like Australia redoubling their aid programs? Of course the shrewd ones say that aid is not really about helping other people at all, but about serving Australia's national interests. Both the review panel (rather coyly), and the government (more blatantly) acknowledge there is more to aid than altruism. No prizes for guessing that more aid to Africa and the Caribbean is all about our UN Security Council bid, or that the big program in Afghanistan is aimed primarily at impressing Washington.
• But such flagrant cases aside, there is a lot of fuzzy thinking about how aid really does serve Australia's interests. Take the government's flagship project - building thousands of schools in Indonesia. It started under Howard as a way to combat terrorism by countering Islamic radicalism in Indonesia's education system. But Indonesia found its own way to do that, and it is anyway doubtful that building the schools gives us much influence over what is taught in them.
• Advocates will answer that the program is a good idea anyway. More schools are vital to Indonesia's economic growth. That is certainly true, but Indonesians don't need us to tell them that. They would be building schools anyway. Our money simply displaces theirs, which they then spend on something else - something less important.
• But we like this kind of project because Australians are wedded to an image of Indonesia as a country too poor to help itself. Think again. Indonesia is richer than Australia. Measured in purchasing power parity terms, which avoids exchange rate distortions and gives the truest index of relative economic weight, Indonesia's GDP is now significantly larger than ours. If we really cared about other people's poverty, we should be celebrating this, but instead we ignore it.
• Indeed the rich West as a whole is in deep denial about the way the world is changing as wealth and power flows away from us to the developing world. And I wonder whether this is not, deep down, why we are all suddenly scrambling to give more aid? Any act of charity is, among other things, an assertion of power. Perhaps as power slips away, we feel more need to assert it.

Question 2
The author of this article obviously believes that the majority of our money spent in overseas aid is a waste. Although he acknowledges that there are parts of our aid program that are very beneficial to our overseas friends, he uses the examples of minimising poverty and emergency aid. He then progresses his arguement to say that this accounts for less than 10 percent of our program now. He explains that the bulk of our overseas aids funds are used to help reduce poverty by specifically building schools etc. He then further develops his point by saing that these countries would already be thinking about this, so the money we give them is a waste. He believes that they are already thinking about making schools, which means the money we "waste" on them will be spent on less important things. He then concludes that Australia should be more assertive in regards to this issue.

Question 3

So why, now that so many of the word's largest and poorest countries have found their own ways to grow out of poverty, are countries like Australia redoubling their aid programs? Of course the shrewd ones say that aid is not really about helping other people at all, but about serving Australia's national interests. Both the review panel (rather coyly), and the government (more blatantly) acknowledge there is more to aid than altruism. No prizes for guessing that more aid to Africa and the Caribbean is all about our UN Security Council bid, or that the big program in Afghanistan is aimed primarily at impressing Washington.

Exam Prep - Urban Sprawl

1) This is an example of Urban Sprawl because its the expansion of borders and a new suburb near Penrith as it isn't the renovation/renewal of a existing suburb/city but a enlargement of living space for people to become residents of.

2) I think the construction of the town Jordan Springs is actually has a negative effect on the surrounding community for a number of reasons. For example, some people, especially some Aborigine Tribes have complained that their heritage land is being stripped from them forcefully and impacting on their own living space that they have held for thousands of years. Other people have complained because it is depleting the natural beauty of the original woodland and lakes with the building of a town to create a funner 'community' aswell as more jobs and living space. There would be long term advantages in maintaining and preserving the Cumberland Plain Woodland that is the main focal opinion of many people. The creation of Jordan Springs also destroys habitats of animals, this point has probably not even been considered by the government and the removal of these habitats may cause a sudden drop in the population of certain species. For Sydney, the only advantage is that it would create more living space for people. The main disadvantage is the non-conservation of the woodland because if you kept the trees rather than remove them, you would allow CO2 levels to stay lower, rather than increase as there are less trees and more emission creating buildings and vehicles. For Australia, Jordan Springs can also be used as a center for asylum seekers or new (legal) residents rather than having to create more houses in already populated areas. There are many disadvantages such as the rise in pollution levels which Australia doesn't need. Also there is the serious possibility of nobody wanting to move in to Jordan Springs with only temporary jobs in construction and no definite jobs in any other service.

9.2 Questions Page 213

 

1) Urban Sprawl is the spreading outwards of a city and its suburbs to its outskirts to low-density, auto-dependent development on rural land, with associated design features that encourage car dependency.

2) Urban Consolidation is the increase of dwelling densities within established areas over and above that which is already there through infill or redevelopment of existing buildings.

3) A highly urbanized country means its has a high population density, a high proportion of the population working in manufacturing and/or professional or service-related industries. High urbanized countries are also centres of business, trade, tourism, entertainment and finance.

4) The statistics that suggest Australia is high urbanized are that it has over 65% of its population in its capital cities, the availability of flat land and coastal locations are encouraging people to move into those capital cities. The United Nations has also successfully estimated that 92% of Australians live in an urbanized area.

5) The fact that each capital cities location are linked to coastal locations, historical values, transport advantages and a favorable climate aswell as availability of flat ground for building development

6) Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans. This is related to urban sprawl as the larger a population is, the more suburbs are created in a city to expand outwards to fit the amount of people in comfortably. The problem with this is the cost of infrastructure and supplies needed to build these new areas and the removal

of nature.

7) Australian cities have very low population density in comparison to other cities such as Mumbai and Cairo. There has been a recent shift in Australians wanting to live in small houses and apartments rather than in detached houses. Unlike other countries, Australia's available land to be expanded upon, its quite large compared to London or Paris.

8) Urban consolidation is able to provide a new suburb with the latest technology and equipment needed to allow its population to live comfortably aswell as not having to expand so quickly outwards. The main factor of urban consolidation over urban sprawl is that it allows the population to use features such as public transport, electricity and water supplies can be used more intensely

9) Urban planners have managed to innovate new designs for apartments and new estates to manage the problem of population growth in cities. They have been able to create apartments and estates that are smaller but more comfortable for the person/people living inside.

10A) Melbourne
B) It is measured in the number of people living per square kilometre
C) Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Wollongong, Perth, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Canberra, Gosford and Brisbane
D) 80% of Australia's largest 10 cities have more than 1000 people living in a square kilometre

11) Some of the opinions of the detached housing residents would be that the construction of apartments takes too long or that its prices make a suburbs total value decrease. The impacts would be that current residents would be disturbed be construction workers, sound(s) and possible obstructions and time delays on roads and transport.

12) The advantages of living in a detached estate would be that you can choose more specifically where you want to live, you can control the tidiness of your own home, you need to pay less maintenance and service fees, you can use your house as a social area without having to worry so much about other residents in the nearby area, and prices don't change for rent. Disadvantages are the interest on mortgages, cost of the entire area and renovation and the availability of land space and the cost of the land itself

9.1 Questions

9.1 Questions

1. What is meant by the term "Urban Sprawl"? The uncontrollable spread of urban development into neighbouring regions.
 2.What is meant by the term "Urban Consolidation"? Land within an existing city's boundary is developed with high-rise apartments complexes, townhouses and villa developments.
3.What is meant by a highly urbanised country? Where the majority of the population lives in urban areas.

4. List three statistics that suggest Australia is a higly urbanised country?  Has a high population density, not tolerable conditions apart from urban areas and most employment is in the major centres.
5.What factors have influenced the location of Australia's capital cities? A high population density, a high proportion of the population working in manufacturing and/or professional or service related industries and they are centres of business, trade, tourism, entertainment and finance.

6.What is popultion density and how is it related to urban sprawl? The number of people living per unit of an area and it is related to urban sprawl as it shows how many people live in each region.

7.How do Australian cities compare to other cities in the world in terms of their population density?  They have very small population density compared to many other cities around the world such as Cairo or Paris.
8.Describe the advantage, in terms of the provision of infrastructure, urban consolidation has over urban sprawl? It shows that you can have a dense population at a such a small area as in high-rise apartments. More facilities can be available but using less space.

9.How have urban planners responderd to the issue of urban sprawl in Australia? Urban planners have had to be innovative in their design of apartments and new estates to manage the impacts of population growth in cities

10. a) Which Australian City covers the greatest land area? Melbourne

b) Describe how population density is calculated? It is calculated by dividing population by land area

c) Rank Australia's cities in terms of their population density . Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Wollongong, Perth, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Canberra, Brisbane, Gosford

11. Discuss the opinions the residents in the detatched housing in the foreground might have to the apartment buildings being constructed. What impact will the construction have on their community. The construction will have a large impact as it will greatly oveshadow the smaller houses around the large apartment developments. They will cause about 75% increase in the number of people living in that area. It will also cause shadowing over the smaller houses as the apartment buildings are so large and bulky.
12. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of living in a detached style housing estate compared to apartment living.  A detached house will be better to live in as you have more room to go around and more freedom than compared to an apartment building where you are cramped into a little room with about 100 other people in the same building. It allows there to be more space and make people less stressed as it has more freedom.

Urban Renewal Vocab

Urban Renewal Vocab


Aesthetics - The appreciation of, and sensitivity towards, works of art, designs, products, objects or artifacts. An example is the aesthetics of a building. This example relates to the word as people's feelings and mindset change around the relative looks of a building, inside and outside. If its a warm, colorful and well presented building, people will feel more at home and more comfortable. If its a run-down, rotting building, people will be anxious and uncomfortable.

Safety - The condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, financial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences. An example is OH&S regulations. OH&S regulations ensure the wellbeing of a person in the outdoors or the workplace. This relates to safety as the person would be safe from most types of harm, especially physical

Slums - A district of a city marked by poverty and inferior living conditions. An example is a third world area or overpopulated city such as Mumbai. Mumbai's living conditions include 55% of people living in a slum within a 6% area of Mumbai's living space. Slum growth rate is much higher than urban growth.

Decay - The organic phenomenon of rotting. A badly maintained house is an example of decay. This relates to the word as a house that isn't maintained properly would have termites, fungus, collapsing supports and items. This would be uncomfortable for the resident

Reconstruction and renewal - Turning an area to become hospitable or able to be cultivated. A slum would be an example as it would have to be renewed of its waste, decay and poor living conditions to be made properly hospitable and cultivated.

Transport - Moving something or somebody around from one place to the other. An example is public transport. This allows people to catch buses, ferries or trains to get from one place to another easily


Suburbanization - A term used to describe the growth of areas on the fringes of major cities. It is one of the many causes of the increase in urban sprawl. An example is Surry Hills, where the growth of population in that area has increased greatly over the years. In this case, there was no urban sprawl and the area has been increased in value and average income of each resident

Environmental Factors - Factors in the environment that may have an effect on our development or growth eg diet, atmospheric pollutants, cigarette smoke, preservatives, X-rays. These are linked as they would change the way people would consider about living or going to an area. E.g. Going to King's Cross at night or going to Hornsby is clear example as many people would rather Hornsby because of King's Cross' reputation.


Light and Sound - Factors which are technically environmental as they affect the outlook of an area greatly. An example is urbanization and developing of technology. As technology and vehicles such as trains are introduced or used more often, would create much more sound than a regular area with no trains. Light would be a factor as lighting or the brightness (sunlight) of an area would affect people's moods and feelings about that particular place

7.8 Dune Revegetation at Stuarts Point

7.8 Dune Revegetation at Stuarts Point  

1. Name and locate the coastal dune management area discussed in this unit.
The area discussed in this unit is Stuarts Point. Stuarts Point is located at the mouth of the Macleay River just south of Grassy Head headland and North of Shark Island and South West Rocks. 


2. Using the material in the unit, construct a timeline that highlights the changes in the Stuarts Point sand dune ecosystem. 
1893 - A large flood opened up a gap for the Macleay River at South West Rocks causing the original mouth of the Macleay River to close due to build up of silt and lessen in flow. 
Early 1900's - The gap closed allowing cattle to graze along the dune barrier system. Eventually the vegetation was lost and on three consecutive occasions of heavy storms the dunes were drowned. The idea of the dunes being lost caused action from the community as there was threat against some property.
1965 - After approaching the Soil Conservation Service of New South Wales for advice and assistance, they provided native plant seedlings to what was going to be the start of the revegetation program for Stuarts Point. Unfortunately, this scheme failed in August due to cattle grazing. 
1970 - With all the organisations working together, they developed a scheme that would re-establish the dunes in three parts. They would have a primary dune consisting of grasses and creepers, a secondary species consisting of shrubs and short-lived trees and a tertiary species consisting of long-lived trees. 
Today - It continues to be a success today with the plan still intact and very few issues. 

3. Describe the role of the local community in managing the sand dune area.
The community had a large role in making the management of the sand dunes successful. They had the responsibility to keep on the walking tracks, keep litter to a minimum and some people from the communities even volunteered.  Their involvement was a key area of the re-establishment of Stuarts Point. 

4. Why is the sand dune area important to the people of Stuarts Point?
The dune area is very important to the the people of Stuarts Point. Without it, some properties would be lost making it almost crucial to have the dunes in place. 

5. Using 7.35 describe the natural vegetation succession on sand dunes.
The sand dunes are built up of three separate and different plant types.  The first section being made up of grasses and creepers that trap dry sand in the frontal dunes and reduce the sand and spray onto dunes behind it. The second section is made up of  shrubs and short lived trees that are highly adapted prolific re-seeders, fast-growing plants. Finally the third section is made up of long-lived trees that are permanent, highly interdependent, surviving in protection of dune and secondary species. 

6. Explain why vegetation is so important in stabilising sand dunes. 
Vegetation is important in stabilising sand dunes as it stops the wind from blowing the sand away and keeps the sand firm from being washed away by long shore transportation. 
7. What impact did cattle grazing have on the sand dune area?Cattle grazing meant that the vegetation was lost and therefore the were no longer any plants to keep it firm/strong. 

8. Describe the changes to the sand dune area that would have occurred after cattle grazing. Identify the geographical processes that would have been altered as a result of the removal of vegetation from the dunes. 
The sand dune would have become less dense or firm and there would be great loss of sand due the the natural process of long shore transportation. 

9. Identify the groups involved in the rehabilitation program.
The groups involved in the rehabilitation of the sand dune were the Department of Lands, the Department of Public Works, the Macleay Shire Council and he Soil Conservation Service of New South Wales. 

10. Outline the stages involved in the management program undertaken to re-establish the coastal vegetation. The stages taken to re-establish the coastal vegetation included; using a tractor to form a small foredune, then they planted trees along the river band, then they planted the native seedlings between the foredune and the river band and finally once the plants were established coastal tertiary species. 


12. Use maps to explain the geographical process that would have caused the river mouth to silt up. 
The geographical processes that would have caused the Macleay River to silt up include; long shore transportation from the southern parts of the beach as well as wave refraction because the beach faces east. 

13. Evaluate the success of the revegation program in the following areas:
a) Stabilising the sand dunes. The stabilising of sand dunes through revegetation was an enormous success as the sand dunes are still standing strong. By using a multi-part system they made a successful stabilised dune. 
b) Protecting the Macleay River ecosystem. The success of protecting the Macleay River ecosystem was very true, they managed to replant native bushes and trees without causing harm to the dune system. They only issue was that Bitou Bush, a toxic weed that spread all of the fore and hind dunes. 
c) Benefiting groups from the local community. The community benefited immensely from this project. They now had a clear pathway which occasionally needs maintenance and a sand barrier to protect some properties.