Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plan and supervise the implementation of permaculture project works through preliminary planning, scope of works, work health and safety procedures, equipment and materials, works schedules, specifications and environmental impacts, organising and supervising project works implementation.
All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.
This unit applies to individuals who analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of advanced skilled activities and demonstrate deep knowledge in a specific technical area. They take accountability for the work of others and analyse, design and communicate solutions to a range of complex problems.
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. Carry out preliminary activities for permaculture project works | 1.1 Confirm and verify client preferences and contract requirements for permaculture project 1.2 Determine scope of works 1.3 Identify specific statutory obligations 1.4 Conduct initial site visit to verify the biophysical and other factors of the project area, including environmental considerations and historical modifications 1.5 Analyse technical challenges and forecast required research and planning 1.6 Review scope of works and contract requirements with respect to permaculture principles and ethics 1.7 Identify work health and safety hazards and obligations |
2. Investigate resource issues associated with the works | 2.1 Verify the availability, quantity and costs of plants and other materials listed in the project schedules 2.2 Identify and cost material resources and tools and equipment required for permaculture works 2.3 Confirm availability with suppliers, contractors and appropriate personnel 2.4 Investigate site access and establishment issues and plan for environmental impacts |
3. Prepare a permaculture project works plan | 3.1 Document a statement of scope of works 3.2 Prepare a safety plan for permaculture project works 3.3 List tools and materials required for permaculture project works their amounts and their sources 3.4 Prepare a staged program of works to provide a sequential allocation of material resources and works tasks with specifications to meet determined project timelines 3.5 Evaluate program of works with respect to accepted permaculture practices 3.6 Determine the establishment period and maintenance period of works 3.7 Incorporate seasonal factors and impacts in the staging strategy 3.8 Include, where required, special project works related to habitat resource development and enhancement in the staged implementation plan 3.9 Develop and prepare a consistently formatted permaculture works plan document |
4. Implement permaculture project works plan | 4.1 Supervise permaculture project works 4.2 Take delivery of materials and equipment 4.3 Assemble human resources on site 4.4 Undertake works briefing and safety briefing 4.5 Undertake and manage permaculture project works 4.6 Inspect works tasks for adherence to specifications, correcting and modifying as necessary 4.7 Monitor environmental impacts of project works and modify where required 4.8 Complete permaculture project works and confirm satisfactory outcome with client |
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:
determine and review project scope of work
assess a site for opportunities and constraints associated with implementation of permaculture works
prepare schedules for implementation of permaculture works
prepare a staged permaculture works plan
complete a work health and safety briefing
prepare a Statement of Environmental Effects
supervise permaculture project works
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
permaculture principles and practices
Permaculture project works, such as:
food gardens
community gardens
urban permaculture systems
rural permaculture systems
aquaculture systems
horticultural systems
forest systems
grazing and pasture systems
animal systems and tractors
integrated food, fibre and energy systems
permaculture structures
soil treatments
preparation of soil surfaces
installation of irrigation and/or drainage systems including earthworks
planting methods such as hand sowing, direct seeding, tube planting, hand or machine assisted planting of seedlings, planting of divisions and transplanting
natural area regeneration
fencing of stock and pest animals
the cultural or biological control of weeds and feral animals
protection of plants by staking, tying and guarding
permaculture design techniques including zone and sector planning
biophysical factors of a site, such as:
location of the site
site boundaries
environmental considerations
access issues
potential hazards
utility service
availability and locations
adjacent landholder considerations
security issues
aspect of the site
rainfall
humidity
wind and sunlight intensity
soil types
nutrients and deficiencies
slope
natural and artificial watercourses
outcrops of rock
presence of indigenous or other significant vegetation, indigenous or otherwise
plants that may become a weed problem
animals that may become a management issue, feral species or otherwise
practical understanding of the environmental issues associated with undertaking permaculture works, such as:
use of materials that come from sustainable sources
duty of care in conserving sites natural values
work practices
the use and movement of machinery, storage of materials, removal of weeds and movement of soil and other materials into, across and beyond the site
principles of ecology including specific plant and animal relationships and habitat requirements
statutory compliance and obligations, such as
compliance with legislation, ordinances, regulations or by laws relating to the works or the work site
site responsibilities, including OHS, industrial relations and equal opportunity and employment
site evaluation techniques including methods of analysing soils, waterways and their condition
control techniques against unwanted plant and animal species
soil conservation, erosion control and enhancement techniques and their advantages and disadvantages in reference to specific sites and habitats
selection and use of appropriate combinations of machinery and tools
work health and safety hazards and the controls necessary to remove or minimise risks associated with them
contract documentation including specifications, plans of permaculture works, services, supplies and surveyors documents
scope of works determination
works breakdown into tasks
scheduling and time line generation
task specifications and evaluation
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also have a nationally accredited 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)