Range of Variables 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 particular training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available |
Who may be referred to as a client? | Clients may include enterprise management or a private individual, company, community group, government agency, or a combination of these entities. |
What preferences and requirements may clients have? | These may include the purpose or intended use of the planting, plant species and cultivars, plant characteristics, growth habits and cultural requirements, maintenance services for post-planting care, budget limitations, timelines for plant establishment activities, and a production plan. |
What plant establishment sites may be relevant to this standard? | Sites may include large-scale or broadacre woodlots, revegetation areas, parks and gardens, landscaped areas, recreational reserves, sports turf or recreational turf surfaces, and commercial nursery, floriculture and production horticulture sites. |
What biophysical factors may affect the site to be planted? | Biophysical factors may include the aspect of the site, rainfall, humidity, wind and sunlight intensity, soil types, nutrients and deficiencies, slope, natural and artificial watercourses, outcrops and the presence of indigenous or otherwise native vegetation, exotic plant (weeds) and animal (feral) species. |
What services on the site may need to be located? | Services may include water supply, gas, power (electricity), telecommunications, irrigation, stormwater and drainage. |
What historical modifications may influence the program for plant establishment? | Historical modifications may include human intervention such as clearance, earthworks, commercial grazing and cultivation practices, fire management, buildings and structures, natural events such as wildfire, flooding and drought, and the effects of modifications at environmentally linked sites. |
What resources may be used for research? | Knowledge of plant species and cultivars, their uses, performance characteristics and growing requirements may be gained through consultation with team members, senior managers, own knowledge, specific industry, technical and research literature, supplier specifications, catalogues, enterprise sales figures and production records, local historical performance data, and industry best practice guidelines. |
What plant species and cultivars may be relevant to this standard? | Plant species and cultivars may include exotic, native, endemic, evergreen, deciduous, conifer and palm trees and shrubs, turf, grasses, ground cover plants, bedding displays and aquatic plants. |
What local by-laws and restrictions may affect the plant establishment program? | These may include prohibited plant species, restricted plant species, land use restrictions, processes and requirements for site development and work activities. |
What environmental implications may be associated with the establishment of planted areas? | The establishment of planted areas may have beneficial environmental impacts where actively growing young trees and shrubs help to fix carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, lower the watertable and associated likelihood of seepage and salinisation in linked catchment areas, and reduce water, nutrient and chemical flow into the external environment including natural waterways. Detrimental environmental impacts may arise where establishment activities produce excess noise, dust or water run-off, or the implementation of post-planting care activities such as fertilisation, irrigation and pest control apply inappropriate levels of chemical, nutrients and water, resulting in escape to the external environment. Where new sites are cultivated for the establishment of planted areas, the interruption of native corridors and degradation of the ecosystem edge may compromise existing native ecosystems. |
What plant establishment procedures may apply to this standard? | Plant establishment procedures may include soil testing and treatments; preparation of soil surfaces for planting; installation of irrigation and/or drainage systems; planting methods such as hand or machine-assisted sowing, direct seeding, tube planting, hand or machine assisted planting of seedlings, planting of divisions, transplanting, laying, rolling, chaffing and sprigging; fencing of stock and pest animals; the chemical, cultural or biological control of weeds and feral animals; protection of plants by staking, tying and guarding; the trellising or training of plants; and the retention of site debris. |
What aspects of post-planting care are required when establishing a planted area? | Post-planting care may include watering, fertilisation, controlling pests and diseases, weeding, rolling, mowing, renovating, mulching, pruning, protecting, staking, trellising, and monitoring plant health. |
What resources may be required to implement a plant establishment program? | Materials may include growth media testing consumables, growth media ameliorants, fertilisers, materials for trellising, training and protecting plants, and weed, pest and disease control chemicals and materials. Human resources may include paid and volunteer labour, contractors, suppliers and consultants. |
What tools, equipment and machinery may be required? | Tools, equipment and machinery may include growth media testing equipment; hand tools; trailed, 3-point linkage and motorised machinery for excavation, growth media treatment, planting and post-planting care operations; and irrigation and drainage systems and components. |
What OHS hazards may be associated with the establishment of planted areas? | Hazards may include disturbance or interruption of services, solar radiation, dust, noise, soil-, water- and air-borne micro-organisms, chemicals and hazardous substances, sharp hand tools and equipment, manual handling, moving vehicles, machinery and machinery parts, uneven surfaces, and flying objects. |
What controls may be introduced to minimise the risk of OHS hazards? | Controls should be introduced according to enterprise OHS policies and procedures and may include identifying hazards; assessing and reporting risks; cleaning, maintaining and storing tools, equipment and machinery; appropriate use of personal protective equipment including sun protection; safe operation of tools, equipment and machinery; safe handling, use and storage of chemicals and hazardous substances; correct manual handling; appropriate use of safety equipment such as signage and protective barriers; basic first aid available on site; personal hygiene, and reporting problems to supervisors. |
What specifications for staged implementation may apply to this standard? | These may include gradual establishment of planted areas, planting during different times, and provision of access for future works. |
For more information on contexts, environmental implications and variables for training and assessment, refer to the Sector Booklet. |
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