AHCSOL403
Prepare acid sulphate soil management plans


Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop management plans that address the relevant legislation and issues associated with land and ground water disturbing activities for acid sulphate soil (ASS).

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 have accountability for the work of others and analyse, design and communicate solutions to a range of complex problems. All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.

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. Conduct assessment of the disturbing activity for ASS risk

1.1 Establish and document current or proposed land use following discussions with landholder and relevant consent authority

1.2 Assess site data following industry guidelines and relevant consent authority standards

1.3 Establish compliance issues with relevant regulatory authority or environmental legislation or industry procedures

1.4 Communicate site investigations to landholder and establish agreement to develop a management plan in accordance with relevant consent authority requirements

2. Develop ASS remediation or management strategy

2.1 Review field investigation and laboratory test data and match to strategy options consistent with industry principles and relevant consent authority standards

2.2 Identify ASS management options consistent with industry guidelines and relevant consent authority requirements

2.3 Identify and document remediation or management strategies in consultation with the landholder and relevant consent authority

3. Prepare an ASS site management plan

3.1 Check remediation or management strategies against industry guidelines and relevant consent authority requirements

3.2 Incorporate design specifications for structures in management plan details

3.3 Detail monitoring strategies for the site in line with prevailing site factors and relevant consent authority standards

3.4 List on site responsibilities following industry guidelines and relevant consent authority requirements

3.5 Ensure contingency procedures in accordance with industry guidelines and relevant consent authority requirements

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:

collect and use field and test data to identify strategies to remediate and manage the site

complete a desktop assessment of the land for actual and potential ASS risk based on current and proposed land use, site data and compliance issues

document an ASS management plan and effectively communicate it to the landowner, relevant consent authority and contractors

support implementation of ASS management plan by reports on materials management and remediation and site rehabilitation


Evidence of Knowledge

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

principles and practices for preparing acid sulphate soil management plans

ASS assessment tools

earthmoving principles

environmental impact issues

environmental impacts of ASS

environmental plans, strategies and options for management and remediation

managing acid leachate water flows

planning process for remediation and management plans

principles of duty of care and due diligence

relevant environmental, planning and groundwater legislation

soils and soil chemistry

subsurface and surface drainage principles and systems

total catchment issues


Assessment Conditions

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.


Foundation Skills

Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.


Range Statement


Sectors

Soils and media [SOL]