Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:59 PM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Develop an irrigation and drainage management plan

Develop an irrigation and drainage management plan

Unit of competency
National Code
AHCIRG504A
State Code
D6891
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
10/06/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
13/12/2011
Field of Education
059999 - Agriculture, Environmental And Related Studies, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
13/12/2011
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit covers the process of compiling information on a property, and using this information to develop an Irrigation and Drainage Management Plan (IDMP) with specifications for a new or up-graded irrigation and drainage system where this is needed and defines the standard required to: compile and analyse information on property background, infrastructure, topography and natural resources, and land use; compile details of current irrigation and drainage system design and performance; determine performance requirements for distribution, treatment and drainage systems; incorporate specifications for a new or up-graded irrigation and drainage system into the; irrigation and drainage management plan.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Compile property background information
  • 1.1. Ownership details are described.
  • 1.2. Irrigation history is described.
  • 1.3. Locality and property details are described.
  • 1.4. Agreements and easements with surrounding properties are identified.
  • 1.5. Property maps are developed to illustrate locality and property boundaries.
2. Compile information on infrastructure and topography
  • 2.1. Significant topographical and infrastructure features are described.
  • 2.2. Opportunities and strengths of the property are identified.
  • 2.3. Limitations and weaknesses of the property are identified.
  • 2.4. Local planning issues that may affect the irrigation development are identified.
  • 2.5. Map overlay to illustrate topography and infrastructure is developed.
3. Compile information on natural resources
  • 3.1. Soil survey information is described.
  • 3.2. Strategies to minimise and reduce soil erosion, and physical and chemical soil deterioration are identified.
  • 3.3. Water sources availability and qualities are described.
  • 3.4. Ground water depth and salinity issues are identified.
  • 3.5. Climatic characteristics are described.
  • 3.6. Map overlay to illustrate natural resource features is developed.
4. Compile information on enterprise cropping and planting
  • 4.1. Suitability of soils and water quality for enterprise crops/plans is described.
  • 4.2. Special irrigation requirements of crops/plants are identified.
  • 4.3. Monthly and annual water budgets for each crop/plant program are developed.
  • 4.4. Current yields are identified and compared with benchmark crop yields.
  • 4.5. Targets are established with consideration for any factors which would limit optimum production.
  • 4.6. Intended crop rotations are described.
  • 4.7. Map overlay to illustrate crop and plant details is developed.
5. Compile information on existing irrigation and drainage system where used
  • 5.1. Evaluation of current system performance is described.
  • 5.2. Current system performance is compared to benchmark performance parameters.
  • 5.3. Scheduling procedures are described.
  • 5.4. Drainage management performance is described including environmental authority compliance issues.
  • 5.5. Areas for improvement in system management and/or structure are identified.
  • 5.6. Map overlay to illustrate irrigation system layout is developed.
6. Develop an irrigation and drainage management plan with specifications for new or up-graded irrigation and drainage system
  • 6.1. Performance requirements for distribution, treatment and drainage systems are summarised.
  • 6.2. New or replacement components are listed.
  • 6.3. Development timetable is developed.
  • 6.4. Proposed scheduling system is described.
  • 6.5. Performance monitoring procedures and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements are described.
  • 6.6. Drainage management processes are described.
  • 6.7. Map overlay is developed to illustrate proposed irrigation and drainage development.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Irrigation distribution systems may include:
micro-irrigation systems
spray irrigation systems
surface irrigation systems
basin irrigation.
Irrigation systems may range from:
manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring.
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:
compile and analyse information on property background, infrastructure, topography and natural resources, and land use
compile details of current irrigation and drainage system design and performance
determine performance requirements for distribution, treatment and drainage systems
incorporate specifications for a new or up-graded irrigation and drainage system into the
irrigation and drainage management plan.
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.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
S3476 RTE5604A Develop an irrigation and drainage management plan Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
BAS76 AHCIRG504 Develop an irrigation and drainage management plan Unit of competency