This unit is suitable for persons working in enterprises, organizations or groups who are responsible for the management of natural resources within the coastal zone.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify and describe coastal resource/assets

1.1. Identify existing sources of information including advice from the relevant land manager, organization or group on the coastal zone resource/assets in the area to be managed.

1.2. Conduct site survey to determine physical/biological entities and processes including threatening processes.

1.3. Identify cultural and heritage sites within the resource zone and arrange for an archaeological assessment if required.

1.4. Identify OH&S risks and hazards that may impact on management operations at the site.

1.5. Identify resource use and management stakeholders for the area and the requirements and opportunities for consultation.

2. Establish condition of coastal area

2.1. Evaluate current condition of resources and or assets within the area.

2.2. Assess threatening processes in terms of the level of impact on the resources/assets within the area.

2.3. Present preliminary findings on the coastal resource and its condition to the appropriate audience.

3. Establish a strategy to rehabilitate the coastal area

3.1. Analyse information gathered to facilitate decisions on management options.

3.2. Present findings to management authority and seek direction on drafting management actions.

3.3. Implement processes for consultation with management, enterprise staff, consultants and stakeholders where required in accordance with enterprise policies and procedures.

3.4. Establish and prioritise strategy for asset rehabilitation and improvement.

3.5. Design management action plan for implementation of the strategy.

3.6. Document acceptance of the action plan by management and other stakeholders according to organisational policies and procedures.

3.7. Formal consent gained from relevant land manager/authority as required.

4. Implement and monitor the strategy and action plan

4.1. Seek funds/volunteer assistance to undertake actions in accordance with organisational plans and procedures, OH&S and legislative requirements.

4.2. Co-ordinate activities with other relevant organizations, community groups, individuals or stakeholders.

4.3. Monitor progress of works in accordance with strategy plans, organisational policies and procedures.

4.4. Review strategies and actions with recommendations for change processed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

5. Evaluate rehabilitation strategy

5.1. Evaluate changes in resource condition and effectiveness of strategy.

5.2. Report findings to management and stakeholders with recommendations for adjustments to strategy.

Required skills

undertake site research

assess condition of resources

identify and recommend rehabilitation strategies

evaluate and monitor rehabilitation strategy

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record complex workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

coastal zone geomorphology and processes

ecological principles and environmental assessment techniques

native flora and fauna identification, habitat requirements, vulnerable and endangered species

techniques and strategies for use in the management, rehabilitation of natural communities and species within the coastal zone

environmental degradation processes

management of cultural and heritage sites

natural resource management planning and issues

pest plant and animal management

relevant legislative and regulatory requirements

preparing reports.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The critical requirements that are valuable for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.

Assessment must confirm one's ability to:

assess the condition of a natural area within a coastal zone and identify threats

determine management options to facilitate the development of a strategy and action plan

monitor and evaluate the implementation of the strategy.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, competency should be consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Sources of information may include:

existing local, regional, state or national management plans or strategies impacting on the resource, previous surveys, maps and studies on or relating to the site.

Resource/assets may be:

a natural resource or physical asset within the area e.g.

a natural resource such as a fishery

natural communities of significant ecological value

site specific where there may be several resources/assets and may include a statement of significance for each resource/asset.

Cultural and heritage sites may include:

archaeological remains of aboriginal occupation and cultural sites

remains of early European settlement and other historic values

shipwrecks

recreational values

landscape values

scientific sites of significance.

Threats and disturbances that may affect a coastal zone include:

coastal development

degradation and destabilisation of habitats

pollution and degradation of coastal water quality

terrestrial and/or marine pest impact on ecosystems

erosion and sedimentation

overfishing

recreational pressures

major event

poaching

marine industries/fisheries and aquaculture.

Strategies may include:

protecting or rehabilitating dunes

estuaries and wetlands and other coastal and marine habitats

removing threats

monitoring beach conditions

flora and fauna

removing inappropriate structures

regulate recreational and commercial activities

controlling pedestrian or vehicular traffic

education and training activities that raise community awareness of coastal and marine conservation issues

temporary control measures may be included

strategies to include monitoring criteria.

Unit sector

Natural resource management

This unit contains employability skills.