AHCARB607
Review and develop strategic tree policy


Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop and review tree management policy and relates to the formulation of strategic policy and subsequent policy determinations.

This unit applies to individuals with broad theoretical and technical knowledge of a specific area or a broad field of work and learning and cognitive, technical and communication skills to demonstrate autonomy, judgement and defined responsibility in undertaking complex work within broad parameters to provide specialist advice and functions.

The role involves the self-directed application of specialised knowledge in arboriculture with substantial depth in areas such as tree management, tree policy and statutes and local planning laws.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Analyse the system

1.1 Identify stakeholders, consult and establish stakeholder needs

1.2 Research historic and current tree policies

1.3 Analyse statutory context and policy context of the current or proposed tree policy

1.4 Research current and historic tree management activities

1.5 Analyse current industry tree policy models

1.6 Evaluate comparative tree methodologies and systems

1.7 Research current policy and strategic information to inform and develop policy

2. Define policy objectives

2.1 Identify key management objectives and management metrics

2.2 Establish benchmarks

2.3 Analyse existing policies, procedures and systems for compliance with policy planning requirements

2.4 Evaluate conflicting stakeholder needs

2.5 Determine tree management strategies

2.6 Define policy reflecting strategic objectives of organisation

2.7 Define strategic objectives of the policy

2.8 Develop and communicate change management strategies

2.9 Make recommendations for policy options

3 Define legal parameters

3.1 Determine legal parameters, statutes and local planning laws

3.2 Determine if policy is included or referred to in statutory documents

3.3 Seek advice about legal implications of policy

4. Define context and limitations of tree policy

4.1 Determine parameters of policy

4.2 Determine and record localised soil types, rainfall infiltration and runoff

4.3 Compile database of local and indigenous tree species

4.4 Compile database of exotics that perform well

4.5 Create list of preferred and desired species

4.6 Determine extent and type of tree data from tree inventory

4.7 Set diversity goals for tree species and tree families

5. Develop tree policy

5.1 Develop tree policy to meet strategic objectives

5.2 Develop and communicate procedures to implement policy

5.3 Develop policy determinations for hazard identification and mitigation, significant trees, tree selection, tree replacement, street tree planting, tree removal, tree inspections and assessments, tree pruning operations, power line clearance, habitat protection, infrastructure protection and pest and disease control as required

5.4 Develop draft of strategic tree policy

5.6 Promote tree policy and expected outcomes to key stakeholders

5.7 Seek feedback from stakeholders

5.8 Review and amend policy

5.9 Develop tree policy documentation

5.10 Develop compliance programs in policy documentation

5.11 Implement strategies for continuous improvement

6. Review tree policy implementation

6.1 Publish final tree policy documentation

6.2 Use policy to guide development of operational tree management plans

6.3 Investigate and document implementation outcomes of policy

6.4 Provide feedback to key personnel and stakeholders

6.5 Monitor records for remedial action and to improve performance

6.6 Modify policy and or procedures as required

Evidence of Performance

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 for and demonstrate:

identifying stakeholders, consult and establish stakeholder needs

researching historic and current tree policies

analysing statutory context and policy context of the current or proposed tree policy

researching current and historic tree management activities

analysing current industry tree policy models

evaluating comparative tree methodologies and systems

researching current policy and strategic information to inform and develop policy

identifying key management objectives and management metrics

establishing benchmarks

analysing existing policies, procedures and systems for compliance with policy planning requirements

evaluating conflicting stakeholder needs

determining tree management strategies

defining policy reflecting strategic objectives of organisation

defining strategic objectives of the policy

developing and communicate change management strategies

making recommendations for policy options

determining legal parameters, statutes and local planning laws

determining if policy is included or referred to in statutory documents

seeking advice about legal implications of policy

determining parameters of policy

determining and record localised soil types, rainfall infiltration and runoff

compiling database of local and indigenous tree species

compiling database of exotics that perform well

creating list of preferred and desired species

determining extent and type of tree data from tree inventory

setting diversity goals for tree species and tree families

developing tree policy to meet strategic objectives

developing and communicating procedures to implement policy

developing policy determinations for hazard identification and mitigation, significant trees, tree selection, tree replacement, street tree planting, tree removal, tree inspections and assessments, tree pruning operations, power line clearance, habitat protection, infrastructure protection and pest and disease control as required

developing draft of strategic tree policy

promoting tree policy and expected outcomes to key stakeholders

seeking feedback from stakeholders

reviewing and amending policy

developing tree policy documentation

developing compliance programs in policy documentation

implementing strategies for continuous improvement

use of industry standard terminology to describe tree policy.


Evidence of Knowledge

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

current and historic tree management activities

historic and current tree policies

tree policy models

benchmarks

management objectives

management metrics

strategic objectives

key stakeholders

tree management strategies

legal parameters, statutes and local planning laws

compliance with policy planning requirements

legal implications of policy

localised soil types, rainfall infiltration and runoff

databases

tree inventory

policy determinations for hazard identification and mitigation, significant trees, tree selection, tree replacement, street tree planting, tree removal, tree inspections and assessments, tree pruning operations, power line clearance, habitat protection, infrastructure protection and pest and disease control

development of draft and final documents.


Assessment Conditions

It is an industry requirement for competency in this unit that assessment includes construction of a database that must contain a minimum of twenty (20) trees that are the preferred and desired species highly suitable for local use, and incorporating intensive tree profiles detailing attributes of the location, taxonomic characteristics, edaphic and environmental preferences and limitations of the tree. The database must include local, indigenous and exotic tree species.

Assessment must be demonstrated consistently over time in a suitable range of contexts and have a productivity-based outcome. No single assessment event or report is sufficient to achieve competency in this unit.

Assessment may be conducted in a simulated or real work environment, however determination of competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions.

The mandatory equipment and materials used to gather evidence for assessment include:

equipment:

computer

word processing software

statistical software

internet connection

materials:

tree policy documentation

tree profile and benefits form

database of local, indigenous and exotic tree species

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs in the assessment of arboriculture units of competency.

Assessment must be conducted only by persons who have:

arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed

current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed


Foundation Skills

Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.


Range Statement


Sectors

Arboriculture (ARB)