Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

AHCARB509 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Develop an arboricultural impact assessment report

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCARB509 - Develop an arboricultural impact assessment report
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to decide on the appropriateness for retaining trees and to assess, plan and monitor the protection of trees on construction and development sites where trees subject to retention are exposed to potential damage.The unit applies to individuals who work in arboriculture and 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. Legislation, regulations and by-laws relating to the treatment and removal of trees apply in some states and territories.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

physical conditions:

a development worksite with existing trees, or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions

resources, equipment and materials:

computer with word processing and drawing software

digital image capture device

personal protective equipment

basic diagnostic tools, including sounding hammer, trowel, probe, cordless drill

basic soil testing equipment

trees

specifications:

client brief and instruction for safety audit objectives

industry standards AS2303, AS2223, AS3743, AS4970 and AS4373

relationships:

client.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards. In particular, assessors must have:

arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed

current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Undertake assessment of trees affecting site
  • Identify and research impact of legislation and Australian Standards of trees on site
  • Determine requirements of statutory authorities for trees on development site
  • Determine local government planning laws, tree protection and preservation regulations for site
  • Assess or survey trees on adjacent site and determine legal status and suitability for retention
  • Conduct a site assessment and identify conditions that impact tree protection program
  • Identify hazards, activities and circumstances that have potential to harm trees and assess the level of risk
  • Locate and confirm trees plotted on survey plan
  • Plot trees not represented onto survey plan
       
Element: Compile preliminary tree assessment data
  • Collect available relevant plans and documentation
  • Identify and record affected trees with botanical and common name on development and adjoining site
  • Record tree dimensions according to statutory requirements
  • Determine age class and estimate life expectancy
  • Determine tree health in relation to tree physiology and pathology
  • Determine condition of tree structure in relation to tree anatomy
  • Assess heritage and cultural value of trees
  • Assess habitat, ecology and environmental impact of trees on site
  • Assess impact of location to existing and past site structures
  • Determine the retention value
  • Compile all tree assessment data required for report
       
Element: Document preliminary arboricultural report
  • Record all trees and groups of trees suitable for retention
  • Determine indicative tree protection zone (TPZ) and structural root zone (SRZ) for each tree
  • Plot tree identifiers and indicative TPZ on survey plan
  • Document preliminary arboricultural report
       
Element: Assess impact of proposed development on trees
  • Interpret existing plans, working drawings, terms and symbols
  • Interpret development and design language
  • Assess potential mechanical and chemical impact of development on trees and determine controls
  • Determine impact of proposed development on trees
  • Provide preliminary feedback to client on potential areas of improvement
       
Element: Contribute to design development
  • Liaise with client on design of development to minimise impact on trees
  • Assess constructability of design to ensure impacts on trees are minimised
  • Liaise with design team to develop tree sensitive design and construction methods
       
Element: Determine indicative and actual TPZ
  • Assess development requirements for site access and logistics
  • Determine extent of encroachment into indicative TPZ
  • Determine impact of works on SRZ
  • Determine extent of actual SRZ
  • Determine actual TPZ for trees to be retained
  • Define and record the actual TPZ
       
Element: Establish site conditions to retain tree viability to major encroachment
  • Determine level of encroachment into TPZ following design development
  • Assess impact of major encroachment on tree
  • Consider implications of major encroachment on health, physiology and structural integrity of tree
  • Assess impact on soil characteristics and volume of past, existing and future structures on tree
  • Consider site conditions and design factors to minimise impact of encroachment on tree
  • Establish site conditions and design factors required to retain viability of tree
  • Determine additional remedial measures to protect tree viability
       
Element: Develop protection measures and advise client
  • Investigate tree protection devices and techniques to mitigate development activities
  • Specify protection devices, techniques and systems to minimise impact of development
  • Specify construction operations to minimise impact on trees
  • Produce working drawings for installation and construction of tree protection systems
  • Provide advice on tree removal and tree pruning program to client
       
Element: Document the relevant reports
  • Prepare draft arboricultural impact assessment report
  • Document tree protection recommendations and drawings
  • Prepare and document tree management and monitoring guidelines and strategies for addressing potential problems
  • Consolidate reports, plans and guidelines into final arboricultural impact assessment report and present to client according to workplace procedures
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has on at least one occasion developed an arboricultural impact assessment report for a development site and has:

identified and researched the impact and specific requirements of legislation, Australian Standards, and local government laws for trees on development site

conducted site assessment and identified conditions that impact tree protection program

identified work health and safety hazards, assessed risk and applied controls for site

identified hazards and assessed the risks that harm trees

located, confirmed and plotted all trees on survey plan

collected plans and documentation

identified and recorded tree by botanical and common name and included a record of:

tree height, crown spread and diameter-at-breast-height (DBH), diameter at ground level and statutory dimensions

age class and estimated life expectancy

tree health in relation to tree physiology and pathology

condition of tree structure in relation to tree anatomy

assessed the following values for trees:

heritage and cultural

habitat, ecological and environmental

location of tree to existing and past site structures

determined the tree retention value

compiled tree assessment data for report

recorded all trees suitable for retention

determined and plotted indicative tree protection zone (TPZ), tree identifiers for each tree on survey plan

documented preliminary arboricultural report

interpreted plans, designs, working drawings, terms, symbols and language for development

assessed and determined controls for mechanical and chemical damage affecting trees

provided client with preliminary feedback for potential improvements

liaised with client on design development and assessed impact of construction on trees

liaised with design team to develop tree sensitive design and construction methods

assessed development requirements for site access and logistics

reviewed indicative tree protection zone and determined:

extent of encroachment into indicative TPZ

impact of works on structural root zone (SRZ)

determined extent of SRZ

determined and recorded level of encroachment and actual TPZ for trees to be retained

assessed the following factors affecting tree viability for a major encroachment:

location and distribution of roots

potential loss of root mass

species tolerance to root loss

age, health, size, lean and stability of tree

assessed impact of encroachment on health, physiology and structural integrity of tree

assessed impact on soil characteristics and volume from past, existing or planned structures

considered site and design factors to minimise impact of proposed encroachment

rationalised all factors to decide on the viability of the tree

determined remedial measures to protect the tree

investigated, specified and produced installation and construction drawings for tree protection devices and systems to mitigate tree damage

provided advice to client on tree removal and tree pruning program

prepared a draft arboricultural impact assessment report

developed a tree protection plan and drawings

prepared, documented tree management and monitoring, including strategies to handle problems

consolidated reports, plans and guidelines into final arboricultural impact assessment report in both:

digital format

print format

presented report to client.

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

legislative and regulatory framework for trees on development sites, including:

role of Australian Standards AS2303, AS2223, AS3743, AS4970 and AS4373

specific requirements of statutory authorities

local government tree protection and preservation regulations

construction drawings, plans and documentation, including:

types of drawings and plans

terms, symbols and language used in development

version control of drawings, including revision and issue dates

working and communicating with clients and development design personnel

conducting site assessment and conditions that impact tree protection programs, including:

development site safety and safe access procedures

plotting trees/tree identifiers onto survey plans

naming and recording tree by botanical and common name

methods for determining tree dimensions, height, crown spread and DBH

age class and estimated life expectancy

tree health in relation to tree physiology and pathology

assessing and determining the viability of a trees

soil volume and characteristics on development sites

tree values and importance, including:

heritage and cultural values

habitat, ecological value

environmental values

methods of determining retention value

the principles of TPZ, including:

methods of mechanical and chemical damage to trees on development sites

impact of proposed development on trees

SRZ

levels of tolerance to encroachment and potential loss of root mass

species tolerance to root loss

type and structure of tree impact assessment reports, including:

purpose and structure of preliminary arboricultural report

purpose and structure of arboricultural assessment report

use and interpretation of development plans and documentation

drawing techniques for illustration in reports and plans, including digital images

tree protection plans and drawings

purpose and structure of tree management and monitoring guidelines

presenting reports in digital or paper-based formats

tree protection devices, methods and systems, including:

designs and their purpose

tree response to tree protection systems

installation and construction methods for tree protection.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Identify and research impact of legislation and Australian Standards of trees on site 
Determine requirements of statutory authorities for trees on development site 
Determine local government planning laws, tree protection and preservation regulations for site 
Assess or survey trees on adjacent site and determine legal status and suitability for retention 
Conduct a site assessment and identify conditions that impact tree protection program 
Identify hazards, activities and circumstances that have potential to harm trees and assess the level of risk 
Locate and confirm trees plotted on survey plan 
Plot trees not represented onto survey plan 
Collect available relevant plans and documentation 
Identify and record affected trees with botanical and common name on development and adjoining site 
Record tree dimensions according to statutory requirements 
Determine age class and estimate life expectancy 
Determine tree health in relation to tree physiology and pathology 
Determine condition of tree structure in relation to tree anatomy 
Assess heritage and cultural value of trees 
Assess habitat, ecology and environmental impact of trees on site 
Assess impact of location to existing and past site structures 
Determine the retention value 
Compile all tree assessment data required for report 
Record all trees and groups of trees suitable for retention 
Determine indicative tree protection zone (TPZ) and structural root zone (SRZ) for each tree 
Plot tree identifiers and indicative TPZ on survey plan 
Document preliminary arboricultural report 
Interpret existing plans, working drawings, terms and symbols 
Interpret development and design language 
Assess potential mechanical and chemical impact of development on trees and determine controls 
Determine impact of proposed development on trees 
Provide preliminary feedback to client on potential areas of improvement 
Liaise with client on design of development to minimise impact on trees 
Assess constructability of design to ensure impacts on trees are minimised 
Liaise with design team to develop tree sensitive design and construction methods 
Assess development requirements for site access and logistics 
Determine extent of encroachment into indicative TPZ 
Determine impact of works on SRZ 
Determine extent of actual SRZ 
Determine actual TPZ for trees to be retained 
Define and record the actual TPZ 
Determine level of encroachment into TPZ following design development 
Assess impact of major encroachment on tree 
Consider implications of major encroachment on health, physiology and structural integrity of tree 
Assess impact on soil characteristics and volume of past, existing and future structures on tree 
Consider site conditions and design factors to minimise impact of encroachment on tree 
Establish site conditions and design factors required to retain viability of tree 
Determine additional remedial measures to protect tree viability 
Investigate tree protection devices and techniques to mitigate development activities 
Specify protection devices, techniques and systems to minimise impact of development 
Specify construction operations to minimise impact on trees 
Produce working drawings for installation and construction of tree protection systems 
Provide advice on tree removal and tree pruning program to client 
Prepare draft arboricultural impact assessment report 
Document tree protection recommendations and drawings 
Prepare and document tree management and monitoring guidelines and strategies for addressing potential problems 
Consolidate reports, plans and guidelines into final arboricultural impact assessment report and present to client according to workplace procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCARB509 - Develop an arboricultural impact assessment report
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Assessment Record Sheet

AHCARB509 - Develop an arboricultural impact assessment report

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