Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers assessing landscape sites and defines the standard required to: verify existing site details; compile information into a site inventory; carry out a site assessment; record assessment data and develop recommendations to rectify identified problems; document assessment data and recommendations in a site plan or assessment report; maintain assessment data records.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to landscape managers, landscape designers, consulting arborists.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Collect and collate initial information

1.1. Client-stakeholder is consulted and objectives are confirmed.

1.2. Site plans and maps are sourced and verified.

1.3. Required resources are identified and acquired.

1.4. Base plan is prepared of the site and relevant surrounds.

1.5. Location, ownership and site boundaries are verified.

1.6. Current land use and environmental threats and problems are identified and recorded.

1.7. Covenants that could affect the project, design or report are identified and recorded.

1.8. Climate and weather conditions are ascertained from historical data.

2. Undertake initial site visit

2.1. Site entry conditions are met and approval obtained if required.

2.2. Site hazards are identified and risk assessed for current visit.

2.3. Site orientation is undertaken.

2.4. Existing on-site and adjacent site features that may impact upon the project, plan or report objectives are identified and recorded.

2.5. Site dimensions, levels and gradients are identified, and measured and recorded, or confirmed.

3. Compile a site inventory

3.1. Soil and growing media types, properties and relevant physical characteristics are identified and recorded on site inventory.

3.2. The species, health, age and location of vegetation are recorded

3.3. Structural elements are located and existing services and facilities confirmed.

3.4. The presence, location and/or extent of other relevant site constraints are recorded.

3.5. Areas of homogeneous soils and growing media are sampled for testing by others for analysis of soil content and contamination on request by the client or as required in the brief provided.

4. Determine the impact of development for trees on site

4.1. Consulting arborist report is obtained to assess trees on site.

4.2. Tree protection zones are determined and recorded.

4.3. Impact of proposed development on each tree is documented.

4.4. Trees exempt from approval requirements are identified.

4.5. Trees impacted by development are identified and located on the site plan according to regulations applying in the local jurisdiction.

4.6. Trees identified by the consultant arborist report as requiring pruning or removal are included in a development application.

5. Document a site assessment report

5.1. Site information is documented into a site assessment report or site plan.

5.2. Assessment report incorporates all relevant data from the site assessment in line with client needs and the requirements of relevant legislation and regulations.

5.3. Soil and growing media tests results are interpreted and analysed for further testing requirements.

5.4. Specific recommendations of remedial action for site problems are provided and recorded.

5.5. Recommendations for appropriate risk controls of site hazards are formulated and documented.

5.6. Survey and assessment data are stored and maintained as part of professional practice.

5.7. Client-stakeholder is informed and advised of the content and implications of the report and a copy is presented.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• consult with and advise clients
• interpret and produce plans
• identify vegetation and soils
• sampling soils and growing media
• analysing laboratory results
• obtain a consultant arborist report
• exhibit professional work practices
• assess risk
• use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation. The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports
• 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
• use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• protocols of site access
• identification of a wide range of vegetation common within the region
• botanical and regionally accepted common names, age, health and conditions of vegetation
• soil and growing media types, structure, texture and pH
• soil chemical and physical properties
• basic soil field tests and soil sampling techniques
• techniques to ameliorate soil properties
• plant nutrition
• measurement and surveying techniques
• interpretation of results from assessment and testing
• current land use and environmental threats and problems to site
• occupational health and safety hazards associated with undertaking a site assessment
• local, state and federal laws and regulations.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• verify existing site details
• collect and collate information on site features
• carry out a site assessment
• record assessment data and develop recommendations to rectify identified problems
• document assessment data and recommendations in a site plan or assessment report
• maintain assessment data records.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Site assessment may include:

• all vegetation forms.

Site assessment reports may include:

• reports and plans such as landscape and project designs
• flora and fauna assessments
• site audits
• development applications
• vegetation assessment and management reports
• biodiversity assessments
• restoration projects
• expert witness statements.

Unit sector 

Design

Co-requisite units 

Competency field