Elements and Performance Criteria

The range of variables places the competency in context and allows for differences between enterprises and workplaces, including practices, knowledge and requirements. The range of variables also provides a focus for assessment and relates to the unit as a whole. The following variables may be present.

Environmental impacts:
· flora and fauna
· other resource users
· effluent water
· run-off from:
· ground water
· water supply
· rain
· stormwater
· inefficient or defective drains
· cooling systems
· farm wastes, including:
· biofouling residue
· nutrients
· waste feed
· processing wastes (such as oyster shells, blood water)
· mortalities or culls
· faecal matter
· paper
· plastics
· metals
· green waste
· chemical
· glass
· construction waste
· water and energy use
· noises, lights, smells
· chemicals, including:
· fertiliser
· chemicals
· antifoulants
· therapeutants
· disinfectants
· detergents
· petroleum products
· escaped stock
· disease, pest or pathogen
· bacteria.

Wildlife:
· native fauna
· native flora
· protected species
· protected areas
· introduced species.

Other resource users/uses:
· commercial and recreational shipping
· commercial and recreational fishing
· divers, swimmers, water skiers,
· owners of neighbouring land or housing
· naturalists, bird watchers, botanists
· heritage areas, national parks, marine parks
· Indigenous and other community groups
· farmers, agriculturists, foresters, industrialists.

Appropriate bodies for consultation:
· statutory bodies
· councils
· consultants
· governments
· non-government organisations and other stakeholder groups.

Environmental management plan:
· risk identification and mitigation procedures
· provision for the evaluation of environmental assets for insurance purposes.

Planning parameters:
· access to:
· land
· power
· water
· other inputs
· stock type and numbers
· culture type
· quarantine requirements
· stock transfer/movement
· exotic stock regulations
· minimise escapes
· minimise genetic interaction
· soil and water type
· topography
· climate
· whole farm planning
· financial resources
· labour resources
· availability of water
· proximity to neighbours
· ground water levels
· intensity of operations
· area available for waste distribution/storage/carrying capacity
· disease status within the stock
· future increases in stock numbers and individual sizes
· future increases in supplementary feeding
· chemical use
· stock flow alterations
· volume of waste currently produced
· siting of culture structures in relation to areas where waste water will be applied
· water re-use dams
· relevant legislation and regulations relating to waste management.

Waste water management systems:
· recycling
· integrated aquaculture or agriculture
· filter feeding species and aquatic plants or seaweeds
· self-composting toilets, septic tanks
· settlement ponds or lagoons
· spreading on to paddocks, crops or trees
· composting and worm farms.

Efficiency:
· cost effectiveness
· labour relations
· environmental friendliness
· resource utilisation efficiency, recycling or reuse
· efficiency in overall design and operation
· effective conservation of waste into a useable form
· maximising benefit from recycled wastes
· meeting the legal requirements.

Emissions and discharges:
· noise
· light
· odour
· gas
· smoke
· vapour
· liquids and solids
· particulates
· fumes.

Alternative energy sources:
· wind generators
· solar generators
· solar tubing
· water generators (hydro-electric)
· solar panels
· biogas.

Elements for inclusion in buildings and structure design:
· self-composting toilets
· windbreaks
· location and construction of windows
· building materials
· orientation of building or structure
· planting surrounding the building or structure
· use of colour
· cavity sizes
· workplace services for employees
· waste disposal.

Relevant factors:
· topography and characteristics of area, including:
· climate
· heritage
· geology
· ambience
· hydrology
· oceanography
· biology
· flora and fauna
· overburden
· water use
· current policies and practices
· energy use
· noise control
· surrounding vegetation and wildlife
· surrounding human activities
· presence of protected species
· legal obligations, including:
· local government
· State government
· Federal government
· regulations
· by-laws
· body corporate agreements
· title restrictions or encumbrances.

Each unit of competency has an evidence guide that relates directly to the performance criteria and the range of variables. Its purpose is to guide assessment of the unit in the workplace and/or training program. The following components provide information to assist this purpose.

Underpinning knowledge
The essential knowledge and understanding a person needs to perform work to the required standard include:
· energy flows and food webs
· coastal processes
· effect of effluent on plants, animals, environment
· nutrient cycling
· noise control
· principles of integrated and sustainable agriculture and aquaculture systems
· principles of composting and waste management
· environmental control standards
· legislative requirements including occupational health and safety, HAZCHEM, duty of care, dangerous goods
· soil testing processes and procedures and results interpretation
· pesticide and herbicide resistance
· risk identification and reduction.

Practical skills
The essential skills a person needs to perform work to the required standards include:
· preparing and implementing strategies
· minimising waste
· conserving energy resources
· managing water use
· undertaking an environmental audit
· communicating with work teams and management.

Literacy skills used for:
· interpreting technical documents
· interpreting aquaculture engineering publications.

Numeracy skills used for:
· formulae for design criteria (water flows, pump effectiveness, temperature control, oxygen injection).

Critical aspects of competence
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
· develop environmental management strategies and systems that use available resources and meet enterprise procedures and legislative requirements, and to communicate these to staff.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
· regulations impacting on aquaculture
· effects of chemicals, water quality on aquatic organisms
· aquaculture systems.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit may be assessed after/with:
· SFIAQUA507B - Plan and design water supply and disposal systems.

Context of assessment
Assessment is to be based around an actual aquaculture enterprise or simulated through a detailed case study.

Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
· written or oral short-answer testing
· work-based project
· case study.

Resources required for assessment
Resources may include:
· models, farm hatchery components
· work-based scenario or case study.