Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency covers the implementation of catchment plans relevant to waterways improvement using a diverse range of strategies. The determination of priorities and targets and the support of specific strategies are within the legislative and policy context. It requires knowledge of legislation relevant to waterways, changes to waterways management and planning and their impact on traditional approaches to and arrangements for managing waterways. It requires skills in assessing the relevance of diverse and interrelated strategies in achieving regional priorities and targets, encouraging and supporting stakeholder participation and evaluating the success of strategies in meeting overall targets. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency is applicable to persons who have a role in waterways development and management and are responsible for implementing waterways improvement plans by working with a range of stakeholders using a range of strategies.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Confirm the arrangements for waterways planning and management within a catchment area

1.1. The roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders relevant to waterways planning and management are identified.

1.2. The purpose, scope and impact of legislation relevant to waterways planning and management are reviewed.

1.3. The impact of changes to waterways planning and management arrangements and current trends are reviewed.

1.4. The impact of government policies and plans on waterways planning and management is reviewed.

2. Establish priorities for implementing catchment plans for waterways improvement

2.1. Catchment plans are reviewed based on relevant legislation and policies, management targets and priorities.

2.2. Information on the specific needs of waterways is collected and assessed.

2.3. Consultation with colleagues and stakeholders (as relevant) is undertaken to establish priorities, targets and funding requirements.

2.4. Strategies including existing local, state and national programs are assessed for relevance to achievement of priorities and targets.

3. Facilitate stakeholder participation

3.1. Priorities and targets are communicated to stakeholders.

3.2. Funding and other opportunities that support strategies for action are communicated to stakeholders.

3.3. The development of submissions/plans that identify aims, outcomes, steps, evaluation and reporting methodology are supported.

3.4. Cooperation and partnerships between stakeholders is facilitated.

4. Advise and support stakeholders

4.1. Support is provided to ensure that all legislative requirements, including occupational health and safety, are met.

4.2. Ensure that variations to planned approaches are notified to the appropriate agencies/stakeholder.

4.3. Timely and appropriate support is provided that meets with stakeholder needs.

4.4. Communication and negotiation skills are used to resolve conflicts where they arise.

5. Evaluate the achievement of priorities and targets

5.1. Monitoring strategies appropriate to a range of strategies are used.

5.2. Monitoring information is collected and analysed against priorities and targets.

5.3. Findings are communicated to stakeholders and other relevant agencies.

5.4. Evaluation findings are documented for use in future planning and reported to stakeholders.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• prioritise projects (based on regional targets)
• identify enterprise funding mechanisms
• undertake project planning and support including the:

• identification of aims, risks, outcomes, stages
• selection of resources and equipment e.g. project management software
• use of evaluation and reporting methods

• 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.

Required knowledge 

• environmental legislation
• obligations of landholders
• contemporary regional catchment strategies
• principles of community capacity building and engagement
• policies applying across all levels of government and within the specific region, including those under catchment plans
• Occupational Health and Safety requirements for community groups
• waterways improvement techniques including:

• fencing
• revegetation
• habitat restoration
• pest plant control.

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 

It is critical that the candidate is able to facilitate a diverse range of strategies and approaches to achieve the priorities and related targets derived from catchment plans. They must be able to liaise with, and give feedback to a wide range of stakeholders and to solve conflicts as they arise. Candidates must display skills in evaluating the achievement of priorities and targets.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment of this unit could take place in the workplace or in a simulated environment where candidates support a range of strategies for waterways improvement by working with one or more stakeholders.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Legislation may include:

• the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
• Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994
• Planning and Environment Act 1987
• Environmental Protection Act 1970
• Coastal Management Act 1995
• Water Act 1989.

Policies and plans may include:

• State Environment Protection Policies
• regional River Health Strategies
• Weed Action Plans
• regional Rabbit Action Plans
• regional Landcare Plans
• soil health strategies
• local catchment management plans.

Strategies may include:

• community education programs
• small and large scale projects
• information dissemination
• awareness campaigns
• field days.

Variations may include:

• availability of or use of alternative materials and equipment
• completion dates
• human resource requirements
• data availability
• project design.

Monitoring information may include:

• qualitative surveys of perceptions or values
• quantitative surveys such as water quality data
• before and after project
• establishing photo points

Unit sector 

Natural resource management

Co-requisite units 

Competency field