This unit examines the appropriate use of land in reducing the impact of hazards and disasters on communities.  There is a need to identify and recognise the relationships between land use planning and natural hazards risk management and the impact of social, economic and political influences.  Case studies will be used to identify the principles that apply to land use management in the context of risk reduction strategies. These will assist in the development of a risk management approach to dealing with natural hazards and land use planning.  Natural hazards policy and legislation will be evaluated within the land use planning system in Western Australia.