Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to establish an urban permaculture system from a permaculture design, as well as knowledge of a broad range of integrated plant and animal systems, urban retrofitting skills, soil improvement, water harvesting and work site coordination skills.
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. Prepare to establish an urban permaculture system | 1.1 Read and interpret the design for the permaculture system 1.2 Identify the site, planting methods and system features 1.3 Select materials, tools, equipment and machinery |
2. Establish the urban permaculture system | 2.1 Coordinate work tasks 2.2 Establish the permaculture system 2.3 Maintain a clean and safe work area |
3. Prepare the area | 3.1 Undertake site retrofitting as required 3.2 Select and apply additives to the soil as required 3.3 Follow the permaculture design and mark out patterns or positions of elements on site |
4. Position elements in the urban permaculture system | 4.1 Inspect elements prior to planting, introduction or installation and remove plants with major defects 4.2 Trim or treat plants with minor defects to maintain health and vigour 4.3 Position elements to enable them to develop their full potential according to zone and sector analysis, pattern understanding and the permaculture design 4.4 Provide elements with post-installation care |
5. Monitor establishment of the urban permaculture system | 5.1 Monitor the system and take corrective action as needed 5.2 Identify situations which will prevent elements from reaching their full potential 5.3 Complete works for the permaculture design |
6. Complete establishment of the urban permaculture system | 6.1 Remove or dispose of waste material appropriately from the site 6.2 Clean, maintain and store tools, equipment and machinery 6.3 Report work outcomes |
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:
Communicate with work team members, supervisors, contractors and consultants
utilise recording, reporting, analysis and work procedure documents
interpret the permaculture design
install elements progressively to establish the urban permaculture system (over an appropriate period of time)
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
principles of permaculture and practices in an urban context
Urban permaculture systems, such as:
houses and gardens where permaculture is practiced, or a productive section of it
community gardens or city farms where permaculture is practised
school gardens where permaculture is practised, or productive sections of them
Chicken, rabbit, guinea pig or other tractor systems
continuous worm farm systems
chicken dome pattern systems
tyre pond and mandala aquaculture systems appropriate to an urban permaculture system
aquaponics systems
duck and rice systems and other integrated systems appropriate to an urban permaculture system which utilise an animal, fish or bird species to generate a yield in association with plant species
Zone and sector analysis
Consideration of the frequency of use and intensity of need of elements in the system
Consideration of the spatial requirements of elements in the system
Mutual benefit and connections between zones
Consideration of the specific needs of the location of the system in terms of climate, access, slope, potential for wild fire, flood, tsunami or other catastrophic force
Consideration of the neighbouring or local environment, its needs, products and intrinsic features
Elements in permaculture elements
Elements which together form a system
species chosen for their functions in the system, including plants, animals and objects (built or existing)
elements which are chosen for mutual benefit
each important function (energy, water, food, fuel etc.) is supported by many elements
elements support the needs of the system within the overall design
the interactions between plants and animals and how to maximise the benefits
plant and animal species and their cultivars or breeds and what they contribute to the system
cultural requirements, planting procedures and follow-up care for plants
environment and habitat requirements of animal species
the identification of pests, diseases, parasites, and deficiencies that are likely to affect plants and animals and the use of appropriate treatments
soils and appropriate soil amelioration techniques
the ecology of the native species, and their value in a permaculture system
site retrofitting for urban permaculture systems:
constructing soil retainers
installing irrigation and drainage systems including swales, diversion drains, mulch-pit paths
establishing integrated plant and animal systems
collection and storage of nutrients or water
solar passive modifications to structures
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also hold a nationally accredited Certificate III (or higher) in Permaculture. Completion of a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) 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)