Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the NWP National Water Training Package.

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to maintain catchment and surrounding areas.

It includes maintaining surface catchment areas and associated rivers, lakes, water bodies, dams, water storages and groundwater areas whilst contributing to the maintenance of water quality, protection of the environment and public. It also includes maintaining environmental conditions, undertaking maintenance and reporting outcomes.

This unit applies to those working as field staff with specific responsibility for maintaining catchment and surrounding areas and contributing to catchment management and control. Those undertaking this unit would work under appropriate supervision either independently or in a team, while performing routine tasks in range of familiar contexts.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Not applicable.

Catchment and Dams

Not applicable.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1  

Prepare for work 

1.1 

Access and review catchment records describing maintenance requirements for action

1.2 

Identify and follow work requirements and timelines for performing maintenance tasks of catchments and surrounding areas

1.3 

Assess site, equipment and methods for risks and apply appropriate control measures

1.4 

Plan maintenance work to be conducted within required timeframe, using allocated resources

2 

Maintain environmental condition of waterways and surrounding areas 

2.1 

Remove and dispose of dead livestock or native fauna from waterways and surrounding catchments

2.2 

Remove flood debris from waterways and surrounding areas according to workplace procedures

2.3 

Carry out fuel reduction burns according to workplace procedures

2.4 

Apply control measures to contain or control chemical spills or contaminated water supplies

2.5 

Identify and report potential or emerging changes to environmental conditions to relevant personnel

2.6 

Identify procedures for responding to emergencies and providing security to the catchment area

3 

Eradicate noxious weeds and feral pests 

3.1 

Identify and report noxious weeds and feral pests contributing to degradation of catchment and surrounding areas to relevant personnel

3.2 

Organise for the removal of noxious weeds and feral pests

3.3 

Identify and report observations outside defined parameters to relevant personnel for further action

3.4 

Compile reports on eradication process and submit to relevant personnel

3.5 

Monitor and report activities within the catchment area to relevant personnel

4 

Perform maintenance within catchment area 

4.1 

Identify and inspect infrastructure requiring minor maintenance

4.2 

Apply erosion control measures for waterways and surrounding areas

4.3 

Make repairs using appropriate tools, equipment and resources according to workplace procedures

4.4 

Record and report maintenance performed to relevant personnel

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

This unit replaces and is equivalent to NWPSOU011 Maintain catchment and surrounding areas.

Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the NWP National Water Training Package.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and includes:

• compiling reports
• controlling pests
• identifying and responding to maintenance problems
• inspecting catchment and surrounds
• interpreting work requirements
• monitoring and reporting environmental conditions
• performing minor maintenance tasks
• removing debris, noxious weeds

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and includes knowledge of:

• catchment emergency response and catchment security procedures
• effects of weather and conditions on operation of site or plant
• environmental, landscape and ground structure of work area
• flood debris
• illegal activities including:

• camping
• illegal crops
• logging
• mining
• off-road vehicles
• shooting

• infrastructure including:

• bridges
• culverts
• drains
• fences
• flow recording stations
• gates
• recording stations

• relevant legislation, regulations and workplace procedures
• risk factors and potential hazards of surface water systems

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

• relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry
• applicable documentation including legislation, regulations, codes of practice, workplace procedures and operation manuals.