Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to research, extract and provide information on bioregional characteristics and resources. It requires the ability to process a request for information on bioregional characteristics and resources, identify information sources, organise self and others, ensure information meets request, prepare and finalise reports.
For indigenous contexts, the delivery and assessment against this competency standard must comply with community protocols and guidelines and be supported by elders and custodians of country.
All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.
This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources.
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. Identify sources of information on bioregional characteristics and resources | 1.1 Identify the need, or respond to a request, for bioregional analysis 1.2 Research relevant sources and locations of information about the bioregion 1.3 Access identified sources and information |
2. Organise self or others to obtain information on bioregional characteristics and resources | 2.1 Locate information relevant to the particular request 2.2 Coordinate and monitor team work to obtain required information 2.3 Discuss resolutions to problems accessing information with designated person and implement where appropriate |
3. Ensure information meets request | 3.1 Assess information for its validity and reliability 3.2 Seek clarification and assistance from client group or individual where information is unclear or difficult to understand 3.3 Obtain additional information where available information is inadequate 3.4 Combine different types of information where appropriate, to provide a response to the request |
4. Report on bioregional analysis | 4.1 Develop a report format, plan and structure 4.2 Compile report using clear and concise language, and edit as appropriate 4.3 Produce report in format required by client |
5. Finalise reporting process | 5.1 Arrange to review and sign off on report with designated person where required 5.2 Present report to community group or client 5.3 Make a record of report |
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:
identify sources of information on bioregional characteristics and resources
organise self or others to extract information on bioregional characteristics and resources
ensure information meets requests
employ appropriate media to present a report
prepare, finalise and present a report
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
permaculture principles and ethics
bioregional characteristics and resources, such as:
a bioregion as a land and water territory whose limits are defined not by political boundaries, but by the geographical limits of human communities and ecological systems
a town or a segment of a city as typical as the main node of a bioregion, as was the pattern of most settlement and economic development until the 20th century
water catchment as one of the key identifiers of the bioregion, with the water catchment, storage, use/treatment of effluent and the water quality of rivers and creeks as essential to permaculture design
The Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) of the area or the population of endemic species, as well as the suitability of any other species to grow or breed in the area
history, social make-up, land use and population information that go towards understanding an area
bioregional resources, including the human and social capital or culture of an area, its capacity to produce its own needs and supply surplus to others and its resilience in responding to change or catastrophe
the natural (biophysical), built, social and cultural elements of the area, including water supply and catchment management systems, transport systems, local exchange trading systems (LETS) and cooperatives, food supply systems, fuel and fibre supply systems
data held by local councils, community groups, historical societies, individuals and organisations that adds value to a study of the bioregion
the following bioregional issues: transition initiatives, local food and water security and bioregional self-reliance regarding other components of daily life from local sources as opposed to importing basic needs from long distances at a high cost to the environment
embodied energy, including how to measure it and compare it with energy output over the life of the item, and consideration of the waste disposal of an item as part of its energy ‘cost’
types of information sources
methods and means of accessing data
methods of presenting and formatting information
means of validating information
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also have a nationally accredited Certificate IV or Diploma of Permaculture. Completion of a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) or non-accredited Permaculture Diploma is not sufficient at this level.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Permaculture (PER)