Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What does development of an Irrigation and Drainage Management Plan (IDMP) entail?
IDMP development involves a holistic approach to water management and environmental issues including consideration of drainage performance requirements.

What irrigation and drainage systems might be relevant to this standard?
These may be pressurised irrigation systems such as micro-irrigation systems, spray irrigation systems or gravity fed irrigation systems.
Micro-irrigation systems include mains pressure, low pressure, below or above ground, sprays systems, drip emitter trickle, t-tape, mini-sprinklers, capillary, ebb and flow, and flood systems.
Spray irrigation systems include travelling irrigators (soft hose, hard hose boom type) centre pivot, linear move, powered side roll hand shift permanent (installed), and bike shift/easy shift.
Gravity fed irrigation systems include border check, contour irrigation, furrow irrigation, hillside flooding, and basin irrigation.
Irrigation systems may range from manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring.

What might be included in descriptions of drainage performance requirements?
Descriptions may include storage, reuse, treatment and natural systems that comply with environmental regulations without necessarily having a drainage system installed.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
OHS issues may include identification and reporting of hazards to health and safety, risk assessment procedures and implementation of risk control measures, safe operation of machinery and equipment, safe manual handling procedures, selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment, safe procedures for working at heights and for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise.

What decisions might be made regarding drainage management?
This may result in a judgement that no drainage strategy is required and, within the performance requirements of this unit, this would be acceptable as long as the judgement is supported by evidence from the assessment.

How might irrigation and drainage development be approached?
At this level of performance, irrigation and drainage is an integrated system within the environment so that the harvest, application and return of water within the environment is planned, with no or minimal impact on the local and regional ecosystems.

What does development of an Irrigation and Drainage Management Plan (IDMP) entail?
IDMP development involves a holistic approach to water management and environmental issues including consideration of drainage performance requirements.

What irrigation and drainage systems might be relevant to this standard?
These may be pressurised irrigation systems such as micro-irrigation systems, spray irrigation systems or gravity fed irrigation systems.
Micro-irrigation systems include mains pressure, low pressure, below or above ground, sprays systems, drip emitter trickle, t-tape, mini-sprinklers, capillary, ebb and flow, and flood systems.
Spray irrigation systems include travelling irrigators (soft hose, hard hose boom type) centre pivot, linear move, powered side roll hand shift permanent (installed), and bike shift/easy shift.
Gravity fed irrigation systems include border check, contour irrigation, furrow irrigation, hillside flooding, and basin irrigation.
Irrigation systems may range from manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring.

What might be included in descriptions of drainage performance requirements?
Descriptions may include storage, reuse, treatment and natural systems that comply with environmental regulations without necessarily having a drainage system installed.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
OHS issues may include identification and reporting of hazards to health and safety, risk assessment procedures and implementation of risk control measures, safe operation of machinery and equipment, safe manual handling procedures, selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment, safe procedures for working at heights and for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise.

What decisions might be made regarding drainage management?
This may result in a judgement that no drainage strategy is required and, within the performance requirements of this unit, this would be acceptable as long as the judgement is supported by evidence from the assessment.

How might irrigation and drainage development be approached?
At this level of performance, irrigation and drainage is an integrated system within the environment so that the harvest, application and return of water within the environment is planned, with no or minimal impact on the local and regional ecosystems.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in developing an irrigation and drainage management plan requires evidence that a person can compile information on a property, its topography, infrastructure, natural resources, enterprise cropping and planting, and existing irrigation and drainage system where this is used. Evidence is also required that the person can use this information to develop an irrigation and drainage management plan (IDMP) with specifications for a new or up-graded irrigation and drainage system.
The skills and knowledge required to develop an irrigation and drainage management plan must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, if is developed for a pressurised irrigation system in one location, it should be evident that an IDMP could be developed for a gravity fed irrigation system in another location.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

measuring and monitoring procedures
soil/plant/water relationships
readily available water
water table and salinity
methods and techniques of irrigation
irrigation system options
computerised irrigation systems
environmental impacts of irrigation systems using water from any ground or underground source
enterprise policies and procedures
relevant enterprise OHS procedures.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

compile and analyse complex information
interpret statistical data and measurements
identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation system activities and recommend appropriate remedial action
develop plans and reports
use a range of irrigation and information management software
develop and implement relevant enterprise OHS and environmental procedures.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

measuring and monitoring procedures
soil/plant/water relationships
readily available water
water table and salinity
methods and techniques of irrigation
irrigation system options
computerised irrigation systems
environmental impacts of irrigation systems using water from any ground or underground source
enterprise policies and procedures
relevant enterprise OHS procedures.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

compile and analyse complex information
interpret statistical data and measurements
identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation system activities and recommend appropriate remedial action
develop plans and reports
use a range of irrigation and information management software
develop and implement relevant enterprise OHS and environmental procedures.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Developing IDMP in manageable structure. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Developing IDMP in manageable structure. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Manipulating irrigation performance and related information. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Manipulating irrigation performance and related information. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Organising irrigation management activities and schedules. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Organising irrigation management activities and schedules. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Co-ordinating activities with staff and consultants. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Co-ordinating activities with staff and consultants. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Managing, manipulating and interpreting statistical data and measurements. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Managing, manipulating and interpreting statistical data and measurements. (1)

Solving problems
Determining and prioritising improvements to the system. (2)

Solving problems
Determining and prioritising improvements to the system. (2)

Using technology
Using a range of irrigation and information management software. (1)

Using technology
Using a range of irrigation and information management software. (1)