Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of carrying out natural area restoration work and defines the standard required to: establish the task and site with supervisor by referring to a revegetation plan; carry out weed removal and ground preparation as part of a team; transport tools, plants and planting materials to the site; carry out planting and regeneration techniques and protect the restored area; remove any waste.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to supervised workers in land management programs who carry out natural area restoration work as part of a team and work under routine supervision with intermittent checking. The work is usually within established routines, methods and procedures.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for natural area restoration works

1.1. Services are located using site and natural area restoration plans and in consultation with the supervisor.

1.2. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified and safety concerns reported to the supervisor.

1.3. The environmental implications of natural area restoration works are identified and the likely outcomes assessed and reported to the supervisor.

1.4. Natural area restoration tools, equipment and machinery are selected and prepared for use according to enterprise work procedures and native plant species to be established.

1.5. Pre-operational and safety checks are carried out on tools, equipment and machinery according to manufacturers specifications and enterprise work procedures.

1.6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used and maintained according to procedures.

2. Apply weed control measures

2.1. Species and quantities of weeds requiring control are identified according to enterprise work procedures.

2.2. Herbicides are prepared, where necessary, according to manufacturer's specifications and enterprise work procedures.

2.3. Weed control measures are undertaken according to the weed and non-target species physiological characteristics, and enterprise work procedures.

2.4. Work practices and control measures employed cause damage only to the target weed species.

3. Prepare the soil for natural area restoration

3.1. Soil treatments are selected according to the soil condition, species requirements and enterprise work procedures.

3.2. Intact natural soil profiles are protected from damage.

3.3. Soil treatments are applied either broadly or at specific restoration sites according to enterprise work procedures.

4. Replace native vegetation on the natural area restoration site

4.1. Vegetation replacement methods are determined and assisted natural regeneration, planting, seeding or transplanting treatments are prepared according to the restoration plan and enterprise work procedures.

4.2. Assisted regeneration treatments are applied to remnant vegetation and intact soil profiles where required according to enterprise work procedures.

4.3. Seed (and fertiliser if required) is sown either by hand in discrete areas or broadly using sowing and/or ripping trailed machinery.

4.4. Containerised plants or transplants are positioned according to the restoration plan and planted firmly ensuring good contact between roots and surrounding soil according to enterprise work procedures.

4.5. Hand watering or irrigation, where specified, is undertaken to establish newly sown or planted vegetation.

4.6. The natural area restoration works are undertaken according to OHS requirements.

5. Complete natural area restoration work

5.1. Plant guards and/or fencing are installed and maintained according to the natural area restoration plan and enterprise work procedures.

5.2. Multiple follow up weed control treatments are undertaken, as necessary, according to enterprise work procedures.

5.3. Waste material is removed from the natural area restoration site and disposed of in an environmentally aware and safe manner according to enterprise work procedures.

5.4. Tools, equipment and machinery are cleaned, maintained and stored according to enterprise work procedures.

5.5. A clean and safe area is maintained throughout and upon completion of work according to enterprise work procedures.

5.6. Work outcomes are recorded or reported to the supervisor according to enterprise work procedures.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• participate in teams and contribute to team objectives
• read written instructions, understand and interpret work procedures
• calibrate tools, equipment and machinery, measure distance, calculate area, planting and seeding rates, volumes and treatment application rates
• minimise noise, dust, high activity vehicle traffic and water run-off to prevent nuisance-level environmental disturbance
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• common names of native plants
• common names of native animals
• common names of weeds and pest animals
• the importance and value of the local provenance species
• natural area restoration techniques
• basic plant and animal ecology
• map and plan reading
• OHS and environmental legislative and enterprise requirements.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• establish the task and site with supervisor by referring to a revegetation plan
• carry out weed removal and ground preparation as part of a team
• transport tools, plants and planting materials to the site
• carry out planting and regeneration techniques
• protect the restored area and remove any waste.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Natural area restoration works may include:

• soil stabilisation
• weed suppression and control
• planting of terrestrial and aquatic plant species as containerised or bare rooted plants
• direct seeding of native species by hand or machine
• protection and maintenance of remnant vegetation
• encouragement of natural regeneration.

Unit sector 

Natural area restoration

Co-requisite units 

Competency field