Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise and minimise threats and create opportunities in a permaculture system using observation, permaculture practices and cultural, biological and other appropriate methods.
All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures, including animal welfare, quarantine and work health and safety policies and procedures.
This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.
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. Assess threats to permaculture system | 1.1 Recognise plant pests, diseases and disorders 1.2 Identify threats from weather conditions and extreme weather events 1.3 Determine other environmental situations that may impact on permaculture systems 1.4 Identify interrelationships between weedy plants, pests, diseases or disorders and weather or environmental conditions 1.5 Record details of threat occurrences and report to the supervisor 1.6 Recognise treatment or response methods, or opportunities, in consultation with the supervisor 1.7 Identify hazards, assess risks and report to the supervisor |
2. Apply treatments to reduce impact of threats | 2.1 Select tools and materials for the job 2.2 Prepare treatments or responses to threats or consider opportunities according to supervisor’s instructions 2.3 Apply treatments |
3. Carry out post- treatment operations | 3.1 Carry out post-treatment operations 3.2 Treat, recycle or dispose of waste materials 3.3 Maintain records |
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 that they can:
recognise plant pests, diseases and disorders
identify interrelationships between weedy plants, pests, diseases or disorders and weather or environmental conditions
recognise treatment or response methods, or opportunities
prepare and apply treatments or responses to threats
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
permaculture principles and practices in regard to plant protection, such as:
creative solutions to common problems in a permaculture system
design for improved predator-pest balance
integrated plant and animal systems
guilds of planting for mutual support
mineral contribution of weeds to soil (bioaccumulation)
using pest-weed cycles to advantage (breaking the insect reproductive cycle for example)
common weedy plants, plant pests, diseases and disorders
common environmental impacts on permaculture systems
fire, flood, storm and tsunami behaviours and precautions relevant to permaculture design
different types of treatments or system modifications and their principles, such as:
non-chemical controls including sprays with organic or natural ingredients
cultural control methods
animal systems to control plants or plant residues (chicken or pig tractors)
shade used as a control
biodynamic treatments and control measures
sheet mulching
composting of residues
follow-up strategies including spot mulching, seedling disturbance, animals
environmental considerations when applying treatments
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also hold a nationally accredited Certificate III qualification (or higher) in Permaculture and/or have completed a Permaculture Design Course (PDC).
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Permaculture (PER)