Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare to establish an urban permaculture system
   • Read and interpret the design for the permaculture system
   • Identify the site, planting methods and system features
   • Select materials, tools, equipment and machinery
2. Establish the urban permaculture system
   • Coordinate work tasks
   • Establish the permaculture system
   • Maintain a clean and safe work area
3. Prepare the area
   • Undertake site retrofitting as required
   • Select and apply additives to the soil as required
   • Follow the permaculture design and mark out patterns or positions of elements on site
4. Position elements in the urban permaculture system
   • Inspect elements prior to planting, introduction or installation and remove plants with major defects
   • Trim or treat plants with minor defects to maintain health and vigour
   • Position elements to enable them to develop their full potential according to zone and sector analysis, pattern understanding and the permaculture design
   • Provide elements with post-installation care
5. Monitor establishment of the urban permaculture system
   • Monitor the system and take corrective action as needed
   • Identify situations which will prevent elements from reaching their full potential
   • Complete works for the permaculture design
6. Complete establishment of the urban permaculture system
   • Remove or dispose of waste material appropriately from the site
   • Clean, maintain and store tools, equipment and machinery
   • Report work outcomes

Range Statement

---

Performance Evidence

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

Communicate with work team members, supervisors, contractors and consultants

utilise recording, reporting, analysis and work procedure documents

interpret the permaculture design

install elements progressively to establish the urban permaculture system (over an appropriate period of time)

---

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

principles of permaculture and practices in an urban context

Urban permaculture systems, such as:

houses and gardens where permaculture is practiced, or a productive section of it

community gardens or city farms where permaculture is practised

school gardens where permaculture is practised, or productive sections of them

Chicken, rabbit, guinea pig or other tractor systems

continuous worm farm systems

chicken dome pattern systems

tyre pond and mandala aquaculture systems appropriate to an urban permaculture system

aquaponics systems

duck and rice systems and other integrated systems appropriate to an urban permaculture system which utilise an animal, fish or bird species to generate a yield in association with plant species

Zone and sector analysis

Consideration of the frequency of use and intensity of need of elements in the system

Consideration of the spatial requirements of elements in the system

Mutual benefit and connections between zones

Consideration of the specific needs of the location of the system in terms of climate, access, slope, potential for wild fire, flood, tsunami or other catastrophic force

Consideration of the neighbouring or local environment, its needs, products and intrinsic features

Elements in permaculture elements

Elements which together form a system

species chosen for their functions in the system, including plants, animals and objects (built or existing)

elements which are chosen for mutual benefit

each important function (energy, water, food, fuel etc.) is supported by many elements

elements support the needs of the system within the overall design

the interactions between plants and animals and how to maximise the benefits

plant and animal species and their cultivars or breeds and what they contribute to the system

cultural requirements, planting procedures and follow-up care for plants

environment and habitat requirements of animal species

the identification of pests, diseases, parasites, and deficiencies that are likely to affect plants and animals and the use of appropriate treatments

soils and appropriate soil amelioration techniques

the ecology of the native species, and their value in a permaculture system

site retrofitting for urban permaculture systems:

constructing soil retainers

installing irrigation and drainage systems including swales, diversion drains, mulch-pit paths

establishing integrated plant and animal systems

collection and storage of nutrients or water

solar passive modifications to structures

---