Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables defines the different contexts, work environments and parameters governing the performance of this competency standard. The variables chosen in training and assessment will need to reflect local industry and regional contexts.

What reasons for development of plans may be included?
Requirement of Natural Heritage Trust program or similar, State/Territory Government program, economic development, i.e., proposed by regional economic development body or local government, catchment management, i.e., proposed by catchment authority, management of natural resources, management of productive resources and integration of prior sectional plans.

How might the regional boundaries be identified?
From previous plan boundaries, changes in economic and social patterns, geographic features, political boundaries, and local government or other land title basis.

What economic, environmental and social factors might be relevant?
Significance/value of particular landscapes/features in natural resource terms, cultural significance in Indigenous and non-Indigenous terms, degradation and risk of degradation in natural resource terms and productive industry terms, use of regional resources, social patterns and groupings, and generators of economic activity including government and industry.

What could be the scope of planning process?
It may be a new process, revision of an existing plan, or extensive reconsideration of plan and its dimensions. The planning process fits into role and responsibility of planners and the various stakeholders and funding agency.

What might the program requirements be?
Plan to cover specific items, plan to be developed using specified processes, and plan to be submitted under relevant legislation.

What are some of the natural resource and management issues that might be included?
Damage to natural resources, activities or lack of activity causing ecosystems to operate outside their natural states, risk of damage and degradation to natural resources, and restoration of degraded areas.

What are the industry factors that might be relevant?
The existence and strength of primary, secondary and tertiary industry in the region, the impact of the industries on the region in economic, social and environmental terms, and the growth or reduction in the various industries.

Which areas of government might be included?
Local, State and Territory and/or Commonwealth.

Who could be the organisations and groups?
Those recognised as having significance in the context of the community.

What might the agency entail?
Commonwealth, State or Territory department or statutory body managing a program.

What is considered a region?
A local area with specific issues involving a community and a number of groups, a sub-catchment, a catchment, an economic zone, a group of local council areas, and a region defined by State/Territory government.

What could be included in the program?
Commonwealth Government community programs under the Natural Heritage Trust, Rural Industry Programs, Business Programs and State Government community programs related to the environment.

What are the costs involved?
The estimation of all components of the planning process in terms of the program and agency guidelines.

What levels of literacy are required?
Read and understand relevant legislation and guidelines, ability to research via printed and electronic sources, develop explanations of planning process, develop processes and relate social groups to processes in writing, and costing and estimation calculations.

What forms of communication may be relevant?
Those relating to diverse groups including other immigrant cultures, Indigenous groups, and groups reflecting the roles of women and men in the community.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in mapping regional issues and stakeholders requires evidence that regional issues and stakeholders have been appropriately mapped according to community and agency guidelines and best practice procedures. The skills and knowledge required to map regional issues and stakeholders must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts. For example, this could include different regions, communities, and regional issues.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below:

Broad geographic indicators with particular emphasis on the region.
Regional and rural planning concepts from town planning, rural industry planning, and natural resource planning perspectives.
Impact of government processes and industry activities in social and economic terms.
Consultative techniques.
Cross cultural and cultural factors relevant to social structures.
Local government operations.
Natural resource management and issues.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

Consult.
Present effectively.
Research in economic, planning, environmental and social areas.
Estimate costing.
Write reports.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function.

Essential Assessment Information
For information about

What processes should be applied to this competency standard?
There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
By discussing mapping issues at meetings or formally in writing with clients and stakeholders. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Mapping regional issues and stakeholders will require detailed information to be gathered, analysed and organised by consultation and research in economic, planning, environmental and social areas. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Mapping regional issues requires extensive planning and organising with clients and stakeholders. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Mapping regional issues and stakeholders will require development and management of work teams to achieve outcomes. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Complex mathematical techniques relating to finance, statistical analysis and interpretation of data could be applied. (2)

Solving problems
While mapping regional issues and stakeholders, technical, organisational and cultural problems may arise requiring complex solutions. (3)

Using technology
Technology may be required to gather and present information. (3)