This unit of competency is applicable to persons who have a role in waterways development and management and are responsible for implementing waterways improvement plans by working with a range of stakeholders using a range of strategies.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Confirm the arrangements for waterways planning and management within a catchment area

1.1. The roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders relevant to waterways planning and management are identified.

1.2. The purpose, scope and impact of legislation relevant to waterways planning and management are reviewed.

1.3. The impact of changes to waterways planning and management arrangements and current trends are reviewed.

1.4. The impact of government policies and plans on waterways planning and management is reviewed.

2. Establish priorities for implementing catchment plans for waterways improvement

2.1. Catchment plans are reviewed based on relevant legislation and policies, management targets and priorities.

2.2. Information on the specific needs of waterways is collected and assessed.

2.3. Consultation with colleagues and stakeholders (as relevant) is undertaken to establish priorities, targets and funding requirements.

2.4. Strategies including existing local, state and national programs are assessed for relevance to achievement of priorities and targets.

3. Facilitate stakeholder participation

3.1. Priorities and targets are communicated to stakeholders.

3.2. Funding and other opportunities that support strategies for action are communicated to stakeholders.

3.3. The development of submissions/plans that identify aims, outcomes, steps, evaluation and reporting methodology are supported.

3.4. Cooperation and partnerships between stakeholders is facilitated.

4. Advise and support stakeholders

4.1. Support is provided to ensure that all legislative requirements, including occupational health and safety, are met.

4.2. Ensure that variations to planned approaches are notified to the appropriate agencies/stakeholder.

4.3. Timely and appropriate support is provided that meets with stakeholder needs.

4.4. Communication and negotiation skills are used to resolve conflicts where they arise.

5. Evaluate the achievement of priorities and targets

5.1. Monitoring strategies appropriate to a range of strategies are used.

5.2. Monitoring information is collected and analysed against priorities and targets.

5.3. Findings are communicated to stakeholders and other relevant agencies.

5.4. Evaluation findings are documented for use in future planning and reported to stakeholders.

Required skills

prioritise projects (based on regional targets)

identify enterprise funding mechanisms

undertake project planning and support including the:

identification of aims, risks, outcomes, stages

selection of resources and equipment e.g. project management software

use of evaluation and reporting methods

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.

Required knowledge

environmental legislation

obligations of landholders

contemporary regional catchment strategies

principles of community capacity building and engagement

policies applying across all levels of government and within the specific region, including those under catchment plans

Occupational Health and Safety requirements for community groups

waterways improvement techniques including:

fencing

revegetation

habitat restoration

pest plant control.

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

It is critical that the candidate is able to facilitate a diverse range of strategies and approaches to achieve the priorities and related targets derived from catchment plans. They must be able to liaise with, and give feedback to a wide range of stakeholders and to solve conflicts as they arise. Candidates must display skills in evaluating the achievement of priorities and targets.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit could take place in the workplace or in a simulated environment where candidates support a range of strategies for waterways improvement by working with one or more stakeholders.

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.

Legislation may include:

the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994

Planning and Environment Act 1987

Environmental Protection Act 1970

Coastal Management Act 1995

Water Act 1989.

Policies and plans may include:

State Environment Protection Policies

regional River Health Strategies

Weed Action Plans

regional Rabbit Action Plans

regional Landcare Plans

soil health strategies

local catchment management plans.

Strategies may include:

community education programs

small and large scale projects

information dissemination

awareness campaigns

field days.

Variations may include:

availability of or use of alternative materials and equipment

completion dates

human resource requirements

data availability

project design.

Monitoring information may include:

qualitative surveys of perceptions or values

quantitative surveys such as water quality data

before and after project

establishing photo points

Unit sector

Natural resource management

This unit contains employability skills.