Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What physical elements and features are likely to be recorded?
Physical elements and features may include site boundaries, fences, roadways, tracks, footpaths, buildings and other structures, water features, recreational facilities, public access, adjacent land uses, easements and rights of way, built structures, overhead/underground services and utilities, existing vegetation and sites of cultural interest.

What threats may impact on the sites physical and biological condition?
Weeds, feral animals, erosion and exposure of ground surfaces, compaction of soils, debris or foreign matter.

What passive and active interventions may be relevant to this competency standard?
Passive interventions include changing management regimes, while active interventions may include habitat development, releasing regeneration niches, applying regeneration triggers such as tillage, fire or smoke products, wetting and drying cycles, installing biological foci, and mycorrhiza inoculation.

What other relevant information may need to be identified and analysed?
Other relevant information may include opportunities and constraints on restoration, human intrusions (such as vehicles, bikes, utility access and pedestrians), historical and cultural factors, laws and regulations impacting on restoration work, site for material storage and compound area, proximity to services and utilities, OHS issues, stakeholder/community involvements, and environmental impacts of proposed restoration works.

What activities may be included in a restoration project?
Seeding/planting of vegetation, release and/or protection of native animal species, weed and pest animal control, assisted natural regeneration, protection of remnant plant species and communities, construction, maintenance or repair of structures such as signs, tracks and boardwalks, conservation earthworks, maintenance and protection of sites of cultural or natural significance.

What notes and specifications might be included on a final design to assist interpretation?
Notes and specifications may include the direction of North, the scale, legend of existing structures and features, technical specifications for structural components, client details, who developed the plan, lists of plant and animal species, threatened species, maintenance issues and compliance regulations.

What further landscape documentation may need to be prepared?
Further landscape documentation may include contracts, construction details, specifications, quotations and bills of quantities such as contracts unit costs, sub-contractor estimates, quantity calculations, brief specification of materials, contingency items, prime cost items, development and/or consolidation works.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in designing a natural area restoration project requires evidence that a design brief can be developed, a site analysis can be undertaken, and a concept design and final plan can be produced. The skills and knowledge required to design a natural area restoration project must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this could include different natural areas and environments, design approaches, and restoration techniques.
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 competency standard are listed below:

Design process.
Graphical presentation and drafting techniques.
Recognition of plant species and a range of ecological communities.
Natural regeneration potential and limits.
Ecological restoration theory and techniques.
Construction principle and practices.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

Use a range of graphic techniques for illustrating design concepts.
Interpret legislation and regulations in relation to natural area restoration works.
Prepare a Bill of Quantities.
Estimate labour, machinery and equipment needs and costs.
Operate CAD software.

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
There is critical 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
Communication of ideas and information may need to be applied when discussing the design brief with the client. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information may need to be collected, analysed and organised after a site analysis has taken place. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Activities would be planned and organised around the time frame for the production of a natural area restoration concept design. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied when to preparing the final design. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical ideas and techniques may be applied when using drafting techniques. (3)

Solving problems
Problem-solving skills may need to be applied if legislation or regulations dictate changes to the design. (3)

Using technology
The use of technology may be applied in the production of the final design. (3)