Place and liveability excursion

Program

Students explore the Shepherd's Bay urban precinct and picturesque Parramatta River foreshore to engage in a pertinent and local study of a diverse and dynamic urban place. Students will learn a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods used to survey demography, liveability and environmental quality, allowing them to draw conclusions on the liveability of this place.

Inquiry questions

How does access to services and facilities, environmental quality, and social connectedness affect the liveability of the Shepherds Bay urban precinct?
How can we measure, assess, and rank liveability?
How might perceptions of liveability differ between people?

Fieldwork

Mapping and field sketch

The excursion commences with an examination of the natural and built features of place through mapping and field sketching.

Liveability and community survey

Students will use observation, bipolar analyses and a range of digital instruments to assess liveability in relation to social, cultural, economic and environmental factors.

Living river assessment

The program concludes with a case study of swimming in the Parramatta River, engaging in sensory fieldwork and water quality testing to investigate connections between urbanisation, environmental quality and liveability.

Discussion and reflection

Students will use their acquired data to consider how liveability has been planned for and can be improved, whilst recognising varied perceptions of liveability.

Route options

Depending on the number of classes attending, students will walk along different routes around Meadowbank and the Parramatta River foreshore.

Please contact the centre for planning assistance.

Walking route (30%)

Number of classes (30%)

Arrival and departure location (40%)

North-south walk

Up to 8 classes

Mill Park

East-west walk

Up to 8 classes

Meadowbank wharf

Locations

Mill Park

Location information - including risk assessment and risk management advice, bus map and public transport options.

Meadowbank wharf

Location information - including risk assessment and risk management advice, bus map and public transport options.

Essential information

Cost and details


Cost 2025	DoE school $26 per student – GST free Non-gov school $36 per student – GST free, minimum charge $750
Cost 2026	DoE school $27 per student – GST free Non-gov school $37 per student – GST free, minimum charge $750 per class
Classes	Maximum 8 classes
Bring	View Preparing for your excursion. Bring worksheet, writing equipment, clipboard, medications, low-waste food, water bottles, sunblock, hat and raincoat in a backpack. Sports uniform recommended.
Welfare	Participants will be walking all day. Some sites not wheelchair accessible - contact centre. May not suit recently unwell participants. For medical or special needs notify staff prior to program.
Extreme or wet weather	Program may be modified, postponed or cancelled due to predicted extreme temperatures, bush fire danger, heavy rainfall, high winds or dust storms.
Booking policy	Confirm student numbers and classes 7 days in advance.
Cancellation fee	Less than 30 working school days – $600 Less than 7 working school days notice – full cost Weather or fire danger cancellation – $0

Worksheet and supporting resources

Worksheet

Schools are responsible for printing student worksheets.

Additional learning resources

Fieldwork techniques

Suggested timetable

Time	Activities
9.30 - 10.00	Introduction and mapping Food break and toilets
10.100 - 11.30	Fieldwork activities
11.30 - 12.00	Food break and toilets
1.30 - 1.50	Fieldwork activities
1.50 - 2.15	Conclusion and depart

Syllabus outcomes and content

NSW Geography K-10 Syllabus (2024)

Outcomes

locates and describes the diverse features and characteristics of a range of places and environments GE4-DFC-01
explains the processes and interactions that change people, places and environments GE4-PRI-01
examines and describes the perspectives of people and organisations on a range of geographical issues GE4-PER-01
explains the management and protection of places and environments GE4-MAN-01
selects and uses geographical tools to acquire and process geographical information GE4-TAP-01
uses concepts and terminology to communicate geographical information for a range of purposes, audiences and contexts GE4-COM-01

Content

Thinking and working geographically

Use relevant geographical concepts
Engage in geographical inquiry using geographical information
Use relevant geographical tools

Perceptions of liveability

Environmental, social, economic and political factors that affect the liveability of places
Diverse experiences and different perceptions of the liveability of places
Methods used to measure, assess or rank liveability

Influences and impacts on liveability

Influences of social, cultural and community connections on liveability
Access to services and facilities that influence the liveability of places
Physical and human influences that impact environmental quality and the liveability of places

Enhancing liveability

Roles and actions of community groups in enhancing liveability

NSW Geography K-10 Syllabus (2015)

Outcomes

locates and describes the diverse features and characteristics of a range of places and environments GE4-1
explains how interactions and connections between people, places and environments result in change GE4-3
examines perspectives of people and organisations on a range of geographical issues GE4-4
explains differences in human wellbeing GE4-6
acquires and processes geographical information by selecting and using geographical tools for inquiry GE4-7
communicates geographical information using a variety of strategies GE4-8

Content

Influences and perceptions

Students: