Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers management of natural areas on a rural property and defines the standard required to: determine features and characteristics of natural areas; assess the ecological value of natural areas on a property; consult with neighbouring landholders, local authorities and interest groups; carry out work in natural areas according to management strategies and within statutory requirements; and prepare and implement management strategies.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to rural property owners who implement programs on a rural property that enhance the ecological and economical sustainable capacity of the land and outcomes for an enterprise.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Determine location, size and type of natural area to be managed

1.1. Location of natural area confirming property ownership and boundaries are mapped following industry guidelines.

1.2. Lists of native animal and plant species specific to natural area are obtained in line with scientific guidelines.

1.3. Vegetation structure and conservation value data for natural area is sourced and accuracy confirmed.

1.4. Details of the presence of and threats from pest plants and animals are obtained following industry guidelines.

1.5. Documented evidence of physical impacts on natural area is compiled.

2. Prepare management plan

2.1. Boundary control is designed appropriate to natural area protection guidelines.

2.2. Restoration/maintenance strategies for natural area are planned consistent with relevant industry principles.

2.3. Environmental concerns are adhered to when developing management strategies in accordance with relevant national, state, territory and local legislation and/or regulations.

2.4. Physical impacts reduced/corrected utilising industry endorsed strategies.

2.5. Appropriate planning and specialist personnel, and local authorities are liaised with according to organisation policy and guidelines.

2.6. Habitat enhancement strategies are developed in line with industry guidelines.

2.7. Strategies to integrate management of natural areas into land use and production systems of property are developed.

2.8. Management plan is prepared and presented according to enterprise guidelines and industry best practice

3. Implement management strategies

3.1. Work schedules are developed incorporating objectives and timelines consistent with rural production requirements.

3.2. Organisational Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) procedures, practices, policies and precautions are observed and followed.

3.3. Work is carried out in natural areas according to management strategies and within statutory requirements.

3.4. People, materials and equipment required for the work in natural areas are coordinated and scheduled in accordance with enterprise guidelines.

3.5. Schedule for natural area works is organised in conjunction with operational personnel and sources of equipment, and takes seasonal weather conditions into consideration according to enterprise policy guidelines.

3.6. Any permits or licenses required for the natural area works are identified, sought and obtained.

3.7. Neighbouring landholders, local authorities and interest groups are consulted with, as required, during the implementation of works.

3.8. Staff, clients, and contractors are communicated with regularly during implementation work.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• determine features and characteristics of natural areas
• source topographical information and conservation data about a site
• develop strategies for restoration and maintenance of habitat
• prepare management strategies
• implement management strategies
• 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 

• natural area restoration and management principles
• advantages and limitations of sustainable land management practices, including environment sustainability as a 'whole-system' approach
• property planning, financial management and enterprise budgeting systems and procedures
• identification of native plants, animals, weeds and vertebrate pests
• strategies to maximise opportunities and minimise environment impact
• environmental issues especially in regard to water catchments, air, noise, ecosystems, habitat and waste minimisation
• fencing and barriers, stocking options and control
• ecological systems in regard to business operation
• relevant state/territory legislative requirements with regard to environmental protection and control standards.

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:

• determine features and characteristics of natural areas
• assess the ecological value of natural areas on a property
• consult with neighbouring landholders, local authorities and interest groups
• carry out work in natural areas according to management strategies and within statutory requirements
• prepare and implement management strategies.

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 areas may include:

• areas of native grassland
• wetlands
• bushland
• any other area that is protected from agriculture.

Unit sector 

Natural area restoration

Co-requisite units 

Competency field