Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of planning the establishment of sports turf playing surfaces and the development of a relevant design for the site, specifications and work procedures and defines the standard required to: develop or interpret construction documentation; develop specifications and prepare a bill of quantities; develop a schedule and a plan of the scope of works; design sectional and elevation plans of the turf establishment works; order and arrange for purchase and delivery of goods and services; identify and incorporate sub-contracted works into the turf establishment plan; prepare a maintenance program for turf establishment.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to the planning processes involved in the establishment of turf in new constructions and major renovations of existing sports turf surfaces.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Carry out preliminary planning activities for turf establishment

1.1. Client preferences and requirements for the sports turf playing surface are understood and confirmed.

1.2. The site is assessed for biophysical factors, services and site modifications.

1.3. Research is conducted into turf plant species and cultivars, legal attributes and local by-laws and restrictions that may affect the plan for turf establishment.

1.4. Environmental implications of the planned turf establishment works are identified and, if necessary, reported to relevant personnel for further research.

1.5. A concept plan that reflects client preferences and requirements, and takes into account site factors and any identified environmental requirements is developed and presented to the client for discussion and approval.

2. Determine requirements of turf establishment works

2.1. Plants that are appropriate to the site and consistent with the agreed concept plan are identified and the required quantity calculated, costed and availability confirmed with the supplier.

2.2. Turf establishment procedures consistent with the agreed concept plan are selected according to the characteristics of available plant materials, site factors, the resources and equipment available and the environmental factors affecting the success of the turf establishment works.

2.3. Design of the soil profile to support the playing surface takes into account the turf use, soil characteristics and other site and local environmental factors, and includes irrigation and drainage systems that accord with enterprise irrigation and drainage plans.

2.4. Management of juvenile turf is provided for according to client requirements, site capabilities and enterprise standards and encourages optimal growth.

2.5. Resources, tools, equipment and machinery required for the construction of soil profiles, planting and ongoing maintenance of the sports turf playing surface are identified, costed and availability confirmed with suppliers, contractors and appropriate personnel.

2.6. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards associated with the turf establishment works are identified, risks assessed and controls developed according to industry standards, and are costed and documented in the plan.

2.7. Staged implementation and development are outlined where appropriate, with access for future works provided for according to client, enterprise and site requirements.

2.8. Timelines for preparations, construction of soil profiles, planting and maintenance are determined taking into account the needs of the turf species and cultivars, the softscape and hardscape components, site conditions and any other planning requirements.

3. Prepare and document the turf establishment plan and specification

3.1. Designs of the soil profile and detailed plans of the scope of works, specifications and quotation are prepared based on horticultural conventions and the requirements of the turf establishment work and presented to the client for acceptance.

3.2. Scaled site plan is produced which can be readily interpreted and understood by on-site personnel according to enterprise standards.

3.3. Detailed on-site procedures and schedules required for the establishment of the sports turf playing surface and its ongoing maintenance are developed and documented.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• research and evaluate information
• design plans and elevations of turf establishment works
• document the plan of scope of works and record all relevant information
• comply with legislative requirements
• use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation. The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record complex workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• the principles and practices of establishing and maintaining a range of sports turf playing surfaces in relation to client needs, and the standards required for the intended use of the surface
• construction procedures, plant selection and cultural practices for sports turf playing surfaces
• legislation and regulations relating to sports turf sites and turf establishment works
• site evaluation techniques including analysis of the condition of soils, plants and the site for turf establishment activities
• irrigation, drainage and the interrelationship of soil air, water and the physical structure of existing and manufactured soils and sports turf mixes
• growth habits and cultural requirements of specific turf plant species and cultivars under a range of soil and environmental conditions
• maintenance requirements and practices for specific turf plant species and cultivars prior to and after initial establishment
• surveying principles and techniques
• the role of project briefs and client consultation processes in planning turf establishment works.

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:

• develop or interpret construction documentation
• develop specifications and prepare a bill of quantities
• develop a schedule and a plan of the scope of works
• design sectional and elevation plans of the turf establishment works
• order and arrange for purchase and delivery of goods and services
• identify and incorporate sub-contracted works into the turf establishment plan
• prepare a maintenance program for turf establishment.

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.

Turf may include:

• all species and cultivars of turf.

Unit sector 

Turf

Co-requisite units 

Competency field