GSE826 Ecotourism for Sustainable Development
About this Unit
Semester 1, 2008
Offered: D1 - Day; First Half-Year (Block mode delivery)
Convenor: A/Prof Robyn Bushell
Prerequisites/Corequisites: None
Credit Points: 4
Core unit in Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and Masters in Sustainable Development.
Optional unit in other Diploma and Masters programs.
This unit explores the role of ecotourism as a in achieving sustainable development. By examining a range of international and national case studies, students will (a) evaluate the community, cultural and conservation benefits of ecotourism and (b) identify principles of good practice.
The unit aims to build upon the student's professional knowledge and develop their capacity to plan and manage an ecotourism program to achieve sustainable development objectives. It engages students in an exploration of ecotourism related themes such as community based conservation, issues management and conflict resolution, the involvement of indigenous populations in sustainable income generating activities, gender, and resource management
The focus of GSE826 is on Ecotourism that contributes to change for sustainable development. Ecotourism for sustainable development is more than nature tourism, heritage tourism, sustainable tourism, cultural tourism or adventure tourism. In this unit, ecotourism focuses on community building and stakeholder engagement as processes, which assist communities in resolving environmental issues and contribute to social change.
Ecotourism for sustainable development explores how this commercial activity can assist in the transition towards a form of development which helps create stronger local economies and assist people who often have no alternative but to slash and burn for a coffee plantation, cut precious wood for fuel, graze land for cattle to feed their families or resort to other activities which degrade their environments. The course will consider whether ecotourism can give new value to a local ecosystem, provides a way out of the poverty trap, encourages community-based conservation and stimulates the value and protection of traditional knowledge. Recognizing that ecotourism can offer community and cultural as well as conservation benefits, international conservation and development agencies are embracing ecotourism to as a tool for the attainment of sustainable development. The course also explores their role in promoting and achieving ecotourism for sustainable development.
Rationale
This unit contributes to developing an understanding of sustainable development and the process of change to reach it in association with the other three units that form the core in the Sustainable Development awards. The unit develops an appreciation of the processes of involving communities in determining their own development options and benefitting from their environmental and cultural heritage. As tourism is a major industry in the world, this unit assists those in other fields such as environmental management and planning to appreciate how to minimise impacts on culture, people and the environment.
Teaching Staff
Lecturer: Assoc Prof Robyn Bushell
Head, Tourism for Healthy Futures
University of Western Sydney
Email: r.bushell@uws.edu.au
Guest Lecturers:
A/Prof Stephen Wearing
School of Leisure, Sport and Tourism
University of Technology Sydney
Email: Stephen.Wearing@uts.edu.au
Ms Penny Figgis
Visiting Fellow, GSE
Classes
Classes are held over 6 days from 10am - 4:30pm in room E8A 386. The dates and times are listed in the Schedule of Lectures below.
Unit web page
There is no web page for this unit.
Learning Outcomes
Through the successful completion of this unit the student will:
Specialist Outcomes
- Be able to conceptualize ecotourism and sustainable development;
- Begin to understand how ecotourism can contribute to the process of change towards sustainable development;
- Be able to demonstrate an effective grasp of the international literature relating to eco-tourism for sustainable development;
- Be aware of the principles and processes of good practice in eco-tourism for sustainable development;
- Be able to critique the value of strategies and programs in eco-tourism for sustainable development;
- Be able to contribute to the eco-tourism debate.
Generic Outcomes
- Develop ability to write cogent and clearly structured reports, addressing defined issues;
- Develop self-management and collaboration skills;
- Develop ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
- Develop creative thinking skills to envision, create and discover;
- Develop critical analysis skills to process, synthesize and evaluate;
- Develop cultural understanding and respect at the professional and personal level;
- Develop a capacity for independent learning and inquiry;
- Develop a sense of social, ethical and professional responsibility.
Teaching and Learning Strategy
All sessions will take place in room E8A 386 from 10am - 4:30pm except for Session 4 which will be held in E8A 341
The sessions will consist of three main activities
- Short presentations
- Practical workshops in which students are asked to complete a task
- Discussion groups
Schedule of Lectures
| Date | Session |
|---|---|
| Friday 7 March | Introduction to Course & Session 1: A/Prof Stephen Wearing
|
| Saturday 29 March | Session 2: A/Prof Robyn Bushell
|
| Friday 9 May | Session 3: A/Prof Robyn Bushell
|
| Saturday 10 May | Session 4: Ms Penny Figgis
|
| Friday 23 May | Session 5: A/Prof Robyn Bushell
|
| Saturday 24 May | Session 6: A/Prof Robyn Bushell
Assignment 1& 2: Student Group Submission and Presentations |
| Tuesday 10 June | Assignment 3 due |
Relationship between Assessment and Learning Outcomes
It is a requirement of this unit that students attend 100% of classes.
Students are required to complete all three assignments at a satisfactory prograduate level of achievement to pass the unit.
The assignments have been designed to allow you to demonstrate to yourself and the unit convener that you have achieved the unit learning outcomes.
| Assessment | Description | Max. Length | Marks | Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1 (Groups of 3 or 4) |
Submit Project Proposal for an Ecotourism Project | 2500 words | 40% | May 24 submit in class to Robyn Bushell |
| Assignment 2 (Groups of 3 or 4) |
Presentation of Project Proposal (Assignment 1) / Defense and Summary (1 page) | 200 words | 20% | May 24 submit in class to Robyn Bushell |
| Assignment 3 | A case study report | 2500 words | 40% | 5pm June 10 Submit via email to Robyn Bushell |
All assignments must include an assignment coversheet. Referencing must follow the guidelines as listed in the GSE Writing Guide.
Late Submission of Assignments
Assignments that are handed in late without and extension will not be marked. Assignments that are handed in late with an extension will lose 10% of marks per day.
Everyone is required to complete and submit assessment work by the due date. Extensions will only be granted prior to the due date and with teh support of adequate documention such as a medical certificate, or automatic penalties will apply. Extensions will only be granted in writing at the discretion of the unit convenor.
Assignment 1: Project Proposal (Groups of 3 or 4)
This assignment provides you with an opportunity to plan an ecotourism program. It requires you to prepare a proposal for support to develop this program which attempts to contribute to the sustainable development of an area and its community.
Your task:
Plan an Ecotourism for Sustainable Development program and submit a proposal to fund this initiative.
The Funding agency you are applying to have specific selection criteria which need to be met by your program if it is to obtain funding (Appendix 1).
Your submission must include a list of resources needed, (not a budget), a timeline and a management plan.
Criteria for Assessment:
- Evidence that you understand the concept of ecotourism for sustainable development.
- Ability to identify objectives which are consistent with the concept of ecotourism for sustainable development.
- Ability to incorporate principles and processes of good practice in ecotourism for sustainable development.
- Evidence that the international literature in ecotourism for sustainable development has been consulted.
- Ability to address the selection criteria identified by the panel (Appendix 1).
- Ability to identify clear and specific program stages.
- Ability to develop a realistic list of necessary resources (a budget is not necessary).
- Ability to develop a realistic timeline and management plan.
- Ability to plan a monitoring and evaluation process to assess the effectiveness of this program to achieve sustainable development.
Assignment 2: Presentation/Defence of Proposal (Groups of 3 or 4)
This assignment provides an opportunity for you to sharpen your presentation skills and demonstrate your ability to persuade a funding agency that your project is worthwhile. The proposal you developed for Assignment 1 has been short listed by the funding authority's selection panel.
Your Task:
1. Prepare 15 minute presentation in which you attempt to persuade the funding authority to support your initiative.
Through this presentation you:
- Describe the rationale, objectives and the thinking behind the program
- Describe the major components and activities of the program
- Summarise your issues, program management plan and timeline
- Summarise and justify the list of resources needed (including personnel & skills; equipment; capital works)
2. Provide an executive summary (max. 500 words) in which you highlight the important points and arguments of your presentation.
3. Prepare for the Question and Answer session which will be lead by the Selection Panel after the presentation.
Duration:
15 minutes presentation (max)
10 minutes questions from the Panel and audience/peers
Criteria for Peer Assessment:
- Ability to communicate the objectives and essence of the program succinctly and persuasively.
- Ability to prepare a clear, brief and precise executive summary.
- Ability to capture and maintain the interest of the panel.
- Ability to persuade the panel that the program is a viable program which can achieve its objectives with the resources outlined in the proposal.
- Ability to convince the panel that then program is a valuable one which can contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.
- Ability to persuade the panel that you are knowledgeable about and committed to the goals of sustainable development.
- Ability to persuade the panel that you are competent in the area/community you are planning to work in/with.
- Ability to effectively address the questions raised by the Panel and audience.
- Ability to manage your presentation time effectively.
Assignment 3: Case study report (Individual)
This assignment aims to develop your knowledge of a particular Ecotourism program/product and to reflect your ability to consider the contribution or potential of the program/product to sustainable development.
Your Task:
In this assignment you are required to present a detailed case study report. This report should be divided into three parts:
- Part 1 will provide a brief description of the case study: its location, operation and key elements
- Part 2 a review of relevant literature to identify key questions that will be used to assess the current and potential contribution of your chosen case study to sustainable development
- Part 3 should provide a critical assessment of the value and effectiveness of the program to make a contribution to sustainable development.
Criteria for Assessment:
- Evidence of wide and critical reading.
- ability to identify key issues from the literature relating to sustainable development and ecotourism (part 2)
- ability to reflect on the processes involved in the program/product you have selected and how these relate to the principles of sustainable development (part 1 & 2)
- ability to use the key issues identified in part 2. to assess the value of the chosen program/product to sustainable development (part 3)
- Ability to use evidence and examples to support arguments.
- Evidence of critical and reflective thinking.
- Evidence of original and creative thought.
- Correct citation and adequate acknowledgement of sources.
- Clarity of expression and ability to structure assignment.
Required and Recommended Texts/Materials
Understanding Sustainable Development
Commission on Sustainable Development
http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/
IUCN, UNEP, WWF (1991) Caring for the Earth: Enabling Communities to Care for their Own Environment IUCN, Gland [GF41 .C36/1991]
United Nations. (2002). Report of the World Summit for Sustainable Development. http://www.earthsummit2002.org/ Retrieved September, 2002.
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (1993) The Earth Summit: the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) London; Graham & Trotman. [HC79.E5 .U445/1993]
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (1993) Agenda 21: Programme of Action for Sustainable Development: Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (UNCED) New York; Untied Nations [HC79.E5 .U444/1992]
World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) Our Common Future; OUP - The Bruntland Report [HD75.6 .O97/1987]
Understanding Ecotourism for Sustainable Development
Boo, E. (1990) Ecotourism: the potentials and pitfalls (2 volumes) Washington DC: World Wildlife Fund. [G156.5.E26 .B66]
Ceballos-Lascurin, H. (1996) Tourism, ecotourism, and protected areas: the state of nature-based tourism around the world and guidelines for its development Gland; Cambridge: IUCN. [G154.9 .C43/1996]
Epler Wood, M (2002) Ecotourism; principles, practices & policies for sustainability
United Nations Environment Program, Paris http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/library/ecotourism.htm
Fennell, D. (1999) Ecotourism: An Introduction London: Routledge [155.A1 .F372/1999].
Fennell, D. and Wearer, D (2005) The Ecotourism Concept and Tourism-Conservation Symbiosis, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, ( 13) 4, pp. 373-390
Honey, M. (1999) Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who owns paradise? Washington, D.C: Island Press. [G156.5.E26 .H66/1999].
Lindberg, K. Epler Wood, M. and Engeldrum, D. (eds) (1998) Ecotourism: a guide for planners and managers North Bennington, Vermont : The Ecotourism Society. [156.5.E26 .E363]
Mendelsohn, R. (1994) The role of ecotourism in sustainable development. Meffe, G. and Caroll, C. Principles of Conservation Biology. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates. [QH75 .M386/1997]
Michael Lück, M. and Kirstges, T. (2003) Global Ecotourism Policies and Case Studies: Perspectives and Case Studies Channel View Publications
McLaren, D. (2000). Rethinking Tourism and Ecotravel: The Paving of Paradise and What You Can Do to Stop It. Bloomfield, Conn. : Kumarian Press [G156.5.E26 .M46 2003].
Newsome, D., Moore, S & Dowling, R. (2002) Natural Area Tourism: ecology, impacts and management Channel View Publ. UK
Patterson, C. (2002). The Business of Ecotourism: The Complete Guide for Nature and Culture-Based Tourism Operations, Rhinelander, Wis.: Explorer's Guide Publishing Second Edition [G156.5.E26 .P37/1997].
UNEP (2002) The World Ecotourism Summit resources. Available at: http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/ecotourism/wes_portfolio/statmnts/stmthm.htm
UNEP Tourism page http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/ecotourism/home.htm
UNEP Tourism publications [many are downloadable in PDF) http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/library/home.htm
UNEP Industry and Environment (2000) Environmental Codes of Conduct for Tourism, Paris: UN Publications. [G155.A1 .U55].
Wearing, S. and Wearing, M. (1999) Decommodifying Ecotourism: Rethinking Global-Local Interactions with Host Communities, Loisir et Société, (22)1, Printemps pp. 39-70
Wearing, S and Neil, J. (1999) Ecotourism: Impacts, potentials and possibilities Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann. [G156.5.E26 .W4/1999].
Weaver,D.B. & Lawton, L. (1999) Sustainable Tourism: a critical review Research Report 1. CRC Sustainable Tourism
Weaver, D.B (2008) Ecoutourism 2nd edition Milton Qld: Wiley and Sons [G155.A1 .W43]
Policy, Planning and Visitor Management
Bushell,R. and Griffin.T (2007 ) Monitoring Visitor Experiences in Protected Areas. PARKS Special Edition 25 - 33
http://www.iucn.org/themes/wcpa/pubs/pdfs/PARKS/parks_16_2.pdf
Christ, C. Hillel, O. Matus, S. and Sweeting, J. (2003) Tourism and Biodiversity: Mapping Tourism's Global Footprint, Washington DC: UNEP Conservation International.
http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/library/home.htm
http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/policy/principles.htm
Commonwealth Department of Tourism (1994) National Ecotourism Strategy, Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. [G155.A8 .A777/1994]
IUCN and WCPA (2003) Outputs of The Congress - The IUCN WCPA World Parks Congress: Tourism Components, World Conservation Union and World Commission on Protected Areas. Available at: http://www.iucn.org/themes/wcpa/wpc2003/english/outputs/tourism.htm#intro [Accessed 12th March 2004].
World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) (2001) 'Agenda 21 for the travel and tourist industry towards environmentally sustainable development' http://www.wttc.org/agenda21.htm
World Wildlife Fund for Nature (1991) A Guide to Designing Effective Proposals Washington DC: WWF US
Communities and Ecotourism
Brown, F. and Hall, D. (2007) Welfare, Ethics and Tourism CABI, Walingford.
Christ, C., (1998) Taking Ecotourism to the Next Level, A Look at Private Sector Involvement with Local Communities, In K. Lindberg, M., E. Wood and D. Engeldrum (eds) Ecotourism: a guide for planners and managers', Vermont: N. Bennington: The Ecotourism Society, 2 [G156.5.E26 .E363]
Drumm, A. (1998) 'New Approaches to Community-based Ecotourism Management: Learning from Ecuador In Lindberg, K. Epler Wood, M. and Engeldrum, D. (eds) Ecotourism: a guide for planners and managers', Vermont: N. Bennington: The Ecotourism Society, 2 [G156.5.E26 .E363]
Horwich R. Murray, D. Saqui, E. Lyon, J. and Godfrey, D. (1993) 'Ecotourism and Community development: a view from Belize' in Lindberg K., Epler Wood, M. E. and Engeldrum D. (eds) Ecotourism: a guide for planners and managers', Vermont: N. Bennington: The Ecotourism Society. Vol.2 [G156.5.E26 .E363]
Richards, G. and Hall, D. (2000) Tourism and Sustainable Community Development, London, Routledge, 2000. [G155.A1 .T58937]
The Nature Conservancy Ecotourism resources available at http://www.nature.org/aboutus/travel/ecotourism/
Wearing, S. (2004) Examining Best Practice in Volunteer Tourism, in Volunteering as Leisure/Leisure as Volunteering An international Assessment, (eds) Stebbins, R. and Graham, M. CABI Oxfordshire pp. 209-224
Wearing, S. Duim, R. and Hummel, J. (undated) Parters in Nepal: between paradise and plight. (unpublished)
Wearing, S. and Larsen, L. (1996) Assessing and managing the sociocultural impacts of ecotourism:revisting the Senta Elena rainforest project. The Environmentalist 16:117 - 133.
Wearing, S. and McDonald, M. (2002) The development of community-based tourism: rethinking the relationship between intermediaries and rural and isolated area communities. J. Sustainable Tourism 10(2) p. 31 - 45.
Conservation and Protected Areas
Bushell, R. & Eagles, P.A (Eds) (2007) Benefits Beyond Boundaries: Tourism & Protected Areas The Vth World Parks Congress, 2003 CABI Press.
Bushell, R. (2005) "Protected Areas and Tourism". In, J.A. McNeely (ed) Friends for Life: New Partnerships in Support of Protected Areas. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. pp141 -154.
Bushell, R. (2003) "Balancing Conservation and Visitation". In , R. Buckley, C. Pickering and D. Weaver Nature-based Tourism, Environment and Land Management CABI Press, Walingford. pp 197 - 208.
Eagles, P. McCool, S. and Haynes, C (2002) Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas: Guidelines for Planning and Management ICUN Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. UNEP & WTO xv +183pp http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/library/sust_prot_areas.htm
Figgis, P. 1999. Australia's National Parks and Protected Areas: Future Directions. IUCN Occasional Paper Number 8, Australian Committee for IUCN Inc, Sydney.
Foxlee, J. (2007) Key Principles and Directions for Tourism in Protected Areas In Bushell & Eagles Benefits Beyond Boundaries: Tourism & Protected Areas The Vth World Parks Congress, 2003 CABI Press.
Lamoureux K.M. (2002) The relationship of tourism development to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use energy and water resources: A stakeholder framework Theme A Ecotourism policies and planning. http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/ecotourism/wes_portfolio/statmnts/stmthm.htm
Lindkvist L. (2002) Tourism and conservation in protected and/or fragile ecosystems - A sustainable business opportunity? Statement to the World Ecotourism Summit, Quebec, Canada (19 - 22 May 2002) Theme A policy and Planning: the sustainable challenge Kenya http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/ecotourism/wes_portfolio/statmnts/stmthm.htm
Nash, J. (2004) Eco-tourism: Encouraging Conservation or Adding to Exploitation? Population Reference Bureau http://www.prb.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Other_articles/April-June_20011/Eco-Tourism__Encouraging_Conservation_or_Adding_to_Exploitation_.htm
Preece, N and van Oosterzee, P. (2000) Two Way Track: Biodiversity Conservation and Ecotourism: an investigation of linkages, mutual benefits and future opportunities Biodiversity Series, Paper No. 5 Biodiversity Canberra: Department of Environment, Sport and Territories. [G155.A8 .P74]
Woodley, S. (1993) 'Tourism and Sustainable Development in Parks and Protected Areas' In Nelson, J., Butler, R. and Wall, G. (eds) Tourism and Sustainable Development: Monitoring, Planning and Management Waterloo: University of Waterloo pp.83-96. [G155.A1 .T5894/1999]
Evaluation / Accreditation
CESD Mohonk Agreement of Ecotourism Accreditation. Available at: http://www.ecotourismcesd.org/webarticles/anmviewer.asp?a=39
Crabtree, A., Hundloe, T., Lee, T., Chester, G. (2002) Green Globe 21 International Ecotourism Standard for Ecotourism Products, Version 1.1 International Ecotourism Conference Cairns October 2002, Ecotourism Australia and CRC for Sustainable Tourism, Green Globe Asia Pacific http://www.ggasiapacific.com.au/news/docs/IES.pdf
Desailly,M. Bushell,R. Simmons,B. Scott, J. Baillie, B. & Sinha, C. (2004) Environmentally and Socially Responsible Practices in the Camping and Caravan Industry: a case study from Australia Tourism & Recreation Research 29(3): 39 - 50.
Honey, M. (2002) Ecotourism and Certification Island Press, Washington
Medina., L.K. (2005) Ecotourism and Certification: Confronting the Principles and Pragmatics of Socially Responsible Tourism, Journal of Sustainable Tourism (13) 3, pp 281-295
World Tourism Organisation (2003) WTO Asia-Pacific Conference On Sustainability Certification Of Tourism Activities: Final Report, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 11-13 December 2003 Available at: www.world-tourism.org/sustainable/doc/cert-malaysia/finalrep.htm [Accessed 15th March 2004].
Useful Websites
Aboriginal Tourism Australia
http://www.aboriginaltourism.com.au/
Commission for Sustainable Development
http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/
Conservation International
http://www.conservation.org/xp/CIWEB/programs/ecotourism/
ECONETT - European Commission & World Travel and Tourism Council
http://www.wttc.org/
ECOTOURISM EXPLORER
http://www.ecotourism.org/
Ecotourism [Association of] Australia
http://www.ecotourism.org.au/
Ecotourism in Latin America - Planeta.com
http://www.planeta.com/
E-Review of Tourism Research
http://ertr.tamu.edu/index.cfm
Global Development Centre - Ecotourism
http://www.gdrc.org/uem/eco-tour/eco-tour.html
Green Globe
http://www.greenglobe.com/
Green Tourism Association - Canada
http://www.greentourism.on.ca/
International Centre for ecotourism Research
http://www.griffith.edu.au/centre/icer/
IISD Linkages for Sustainable Development
http://www.iisd.ca/process/sustdevt.htm
Pro Poor Tourism
http://www.propoortourism.org.uk/
The Ecotourism Resource Centre - Big Volcano
http://www.bigvolcano.com.au/ercentre/ercpage.htm
The International Ecotourism Society
http://www.ecotourism.org/
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature
http://www.iucn.org/
The Nature Conservancy...
http://www.nature.org/aboutus/travel/ecotourism
TOURISM CONCERN
http://www.tourismconcern.org.uk/
Tourism Research Australia
http://www.tra.australia.com/
United Nations Environment Program - Tourism
http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/home.htm
UNEP - World Ecotourism Summit - Portfolio of Statements and Presentations http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/ecotourism/wes_portfolio/statmnts/thematic/lista.htm
UN-World Tourism Organisation
http://www.unwto.org/index.php
World Bank: Explore Sustainable Development and Ecotourism
http://worldbank.org/
World Travel & Tourism Council
http://www.wttc.org/
World Wide Fund for Nature
http://www.panda.org/
Plagiarism
The University defines plagiarism in its rules: "Plagiarism involves using the work of another person and presenting it as one's own." Plagiarism is a serious breach of the University's rules and carries significant penalties. You must read the University's practices and procedures on plagiarism. These can be found in the Handbook of Postgraduate Studies or on the web at: http://www.student.mq.edu.au/plagiarism/
The policies and procedures explain what plagiarism is, how to avoid it, the procedures that will be taken in cases of suspected plagiarism, and the penalties if you are found guilty. Penalties may include a deduction of marks, failure in the unit, and/or referral to the University Discipline Committee.
The GSE recommends that students familiarise themselves with the information contained on the Georgetown University Honor Council website which discusses plagiarism in an easy to understand and comprehensive manner.
University Policy on Grading
Academic Senate has a set of guidelines on the distribution of grades across the range from fail to high distinction. Your final result will include one of these grades plus a standardised numerical grade (SNG).
On occasion your raw mark for a unit (i.e., the total of your marks for each assessment item) may not be the same as the SNG which you receive. Under the Senate guidelines, results may be scaled to ensure that there is a degree of comparability across the university, so that units with the same past performances of their students should achieve similar results.
It is important that you realise that the policy does not require that a minimum number of students are to be failed in any unit. In fact it does something like the opposite, in requiring examiners to explain their actions if more than 20% of students fail in a unit.
The process of scaling does not change the order of marks among students. A student who receives a higher raw mark than another will also receive a higher final scaled mark.
For an explanation of the policy see:
http://senate.mq.edu.au/rules/Guidelines2003.doc or
http://senate.mq.edu.au/rules/detailedguidelines.doc
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