Elements and Performance Criteria

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

What are the property improvements that might be constructed?
They may be buildings, dairy sheds, shelters, stock yards, stock handling structures, fences, water supply systems, roads and tracks, soil conservation works, irrigation and drainage channels, silage pits, and/or grain and fodder storage.

Who are the people relevant to the discussions and notifications?
The people who may need to be consulted, informed or notified include neighbours, staff, management, government department officials, local council officials, and others who might be affected by the particular type of improvements planned or installed.

What are the potential negative environmental impacts of constructing property improvements?
Any change to the natural lay of the land may affect run-off and drainage to increase erosion or the acidity of the soil, and the way in which effluent is managed to pollute surface and underground catchments. Removal of vegetation and ground cover may affect wind or water erosion and/or an increase in salinity.

How might constructing property improvements compromise the environment?
Construction activity, as well as the improvement itself, might put the local environment at risk of off-site contamination such as the fouling of surface or ground water bodies with solid material, and/or nutrients, including acid discharges from acid sulfate soils.

What are the OHS issues that may result from the construction of property improvements?
Appropriate precautions will need to be taken in the light of the personal protective equipment that should be worn, the machinery that is used, the chemicals and the chemical handling that may be involved, the fire risk that may exist, and the load shifting that may be involved.

What are the property improvements that might be constructed?
They may be buildings, dairy sheds, shelters, stock yards, stock handling structures, fences, water supply systems, roads and tracks, soil conservation works, irrigation and drainage channels, silage pits, and/or grain and fodder storage.

Who are the people relevant to the discussions and notifications?
The people who may need to be consulted, informed or notified include neighbours, staff, management, government department officials, local council officials, and others who might be affected by the particular type of improvements planned or installed.

What are the potential negative environmental impacts of constructing property improvements?
Any change to the natural lay of the land may affect run-off and drainage to increase erosion or the acidity of the soil, and the way in which effluent is managed to pollute surface and underground catchments. Removal of vegetation and ground cover may affect wind or water erosion and/or an increase in salinity.

How might constructing property improvements compromise the environment?
Construction activity, as well as the improvement itself, might put the local environment at risk of off-site contamination such as the fouling of surface or ground water bodies with solid material, and/or nutrients, including acid discharges from acid sulfate soils.

What are the OHS issues that may result from the construction of property improvements?
Appropriate precautions will need to be taken in the light of the personal protective equipment that should be worn, the machinery that is used, the chemicals and the chemical handling that may be involved, the fire risk that may exist, and the load shifting that may be involved.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in implementing and monitoring property improvement plans requires evidence that any changes to the existing land are considered in the light of their impacts on both the environment and the people who are to construct, use and maintain them. Competence also requires that communication between all the relevant parties is clear, whether in the form of a discussion or the preparation of a drawn and written plan. Overall competence will lead to improved production facilities and equipment, while promoting safe working conditions and environmentally sound practices.
The skills and knowledge required to implement and monitor the plan must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this could include different types of properties, planning approaches, improvements and enterprise guidelines.
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:

constructing buildings, fences, and earthworks such as stock yards, yard facilities, grain and fodder storage facilities, irrigation works, and water supply and drainage features
requirements for grain and fodder storage
tree planting techniques
sustainable land and water use principles and practices applicable in the region
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the business and to the improvement works
the whole property plan
relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice relating to soil and water degradation issues, animal health and welfare, chemical use, building construction, and OHS.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

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

plan and implement the construction of physical resources
organise and schedule the maintenance of physical resources
analyse and assess the costs and benefits of plans and layouts in the light of all considerations - OHS, financial, environmental, and animal welfare
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards
prepare written plans and procedures for implementation by others
prepare drawn plans and sketches for implementation by, or notification of, others
interpret, analyse and extract information from legal documents and discussions.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

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:

constructing buildings, fences, and earthworks such as stock yards, yard facilities, grain and fodder storage facilities, irrigation works, and water supply and drainage features
requirements for grain and fodder storage
tree planting techniques
sustainable land and water use principles and practices applicable in the region
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the business and to the improvement works
the whole property plan
relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice relating to soil and water degradation issues, animal health and welfare, chemical use, building construction, and OHS.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

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

plan and implement the construction of physical resources
organise and schedule the maintenance of physical resources
analyse and assess the costs and benefits of plans and layouts in the light of all considerations - OHS, financial, environmental, and animal welfare
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards
prepare written plans and procedures for implementation by others
prepare drawn plans and sketches for implementation by, or notification of, others
interpret, analyse and extract information from legal documents and discussions.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

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 preparing drawn and written plans that may be implemented by other people. (3)

Communicating ideas and information
By preparing drawn and written plans that may be implemented by other people. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In assessing different layouts and plans for improvements that may be implemented on the property. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In assessing different layouts and plans for improvements that may be implemented on the property. (3)

Planning and organising activities
In planning for and implementing the construction and maintenance of property improvements. (3)

Planning and organising activities
In planning for and implementing the construction and maintenance of property improvements. (3)

Working with others and in teams
In working with others to construct property improvements according to prepared plans. (3)

Working with others and in teams
In working with others to construct property improvements according to prepared plans. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In seeking and comparing quotations provided by suppliers. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In seeking and comparing quotations provided by suppliers. (2)

Solving problems
In recognising where corrective action is required and then implementing the appropriate action. (2)

Solving problems
In recognising where corrective action is required and then implementing the appropriate action. (2)

Using technology
In operating any necessary equipment during the construction phase of the improvement - communication technology, calculating equipment, measuring equipment. (2)

Using technology
In operating any necessary equipment during the construction phase of the improvement - communication technology, calculating equipment, measuring equipment. (2)