Playground Equipment Asset Inspections
Willoughby Council manages an extensive and diverse portfolio of open space and parks assets across its Local Government Area and wanted to ensure that all playground assets are accurately recorded. The project focussed on playground asset data verification, identification of new or disposed assets, condition rating in accordance with the IPWEA scales, and estimation of […]
Recreational Facilities Asset Data Collection, Validation and Revaluation
Xyst carried out a comprehensive field audit, condition assessment and fair value revaluation of Ku-ring-gai Council’s parks and recreation assets, which numbered well in excess of 13,000 assets. The work included the collection and validation of asset data, reconciliation against existing records within Council’s Asset Management System, identification of missing or decommissioned assets, GPS data […]
Tree Management Service Review
Xyst undertook a comprehensive review of Council’s tree management/urban forest service within the Parks and Gardens Department, to assess organisational capability, service delivery, systems and data governance, policies and procedures, forward planning, and tree risk management practices. The review evaluated the effectiveness of current operations against industry standards, statutory requirements and recognised best practice, identifying […]
Passive Park Asset Mapping
Xyst worked collaboratively with the City of Greater Dandenong (CGD) to develop a comprehensive spatial inventory of the municipality’s passive park assets, including grassed areas, garden beds, and granitic surfaces. The mapping was undertaken as a desktop exercise using QGIS digitising tools and up-to-date aerial imagery. To ensure the accuracy of the final dataset, the […]
Open Space Park Furniture Inspection
Condition Assessment Willoughby City Council were keen to undertake a comprehensive condition assessment on open space park furniture across the Council-managed parks and reserves. The purpose of the engagement was to obtain open space asset condition data for future renewal planning. The work involved detailed field inspections and verification of all existing asset data, identification […]
Business Improvement Plan
Greenspace Services Xyst conducted a business health check, or service review, of the open space and sports field Business Units. This review aimed to identify gaps in the business and provide recommendations for improving service delivery, management practices and strategically positioning council (parks maintenance) for the next ten years. The review incorporated the factors that […]
Shade Audit
Bunurong Memorial Park The project involved undertaking a comprehensive shade audit at Bunurong Memorial Park to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of both natural and built shade for customers and staff. Xyst undertook observations of radiant light across the site and its materials to understand how light behaves (bounces) within different spaces. This approach enables […]
Kindergarten Play Space Design Guidelines and Assessment
Melton City Council sought expertise from Xyst to develop comprehensive Kindergarten Play Space Design Guidelines for the 25 licensed facilities under its administration. The guidelines were to reflect best‑practice early childhood design principles, relevant Victorian Government requirements, and insights from Council’s draft Community Infrastructure Planning Tool (2022). The project included the development of design standards […]
Business Improvement Plan
Greenspace Services Blacktown City Council engaged Xyst to identify gaps in their parks, gardens, sports fields and playgrounds operations and recommend steps to bridge these gaps. This ensures the Greenspace Business Unit are well-informed and positioned to plan and deliver high-quality, economically sustainable open space services, that meet current and future demands, while fulfilling community […]
Asset Data Collection at Childcare Centres – City of Port Phillip
The City of Port Phillip planned to tender the maintenance of outdoor play spaces across its childcare centres but lacked a clear understanding of the type, quantity and condition of its outdoor assets. This uncertainty would have resulted in tenderers inflating prices to account for risk and incomplete information. Xyst delivered an asset data capture […]
Scot Hedge
I am a highly experienced manager with over 25 years’ operating within environmental, recreational and operational services, in both the public and private sectors. My experience includes management of strategic and operational planning and projects, development and implementation of capital works programs, environmental management of construction activities, and delivery of maintenance programs for public open […]
Tom Nicholls
My background and passion is in horticulture and open space design. I have had over 15 years’ experience in landscape design and construction, from being a landscape apprentice to small business operator. With these tools I have furthered my education in sustainable landscape design and project management, adding to my desire to design and build […]
Yardstick Trails User Survey
Yarra Ranges Council asked Xyst to carry out a targeted intercept survey of the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail and the Yarra Valley Trail. For the survey we used the Yardstick Trail User Survey developed specifically for Yarra Ranges in 2019, and suitable for use on any trail. The survey includes a set of questions […]
Yardstick Parks User Survey
Yarra Ranges Council asked Xyst to carry out a Yardstick parks user survey on fifteen of its parks and reserves. The intercept survey includes around 40 questions, some of which were optional additions to the standard survey content. The survey took place in November 2025 and involved collection of 180 intercept surveys to collect data […]
Kindergarten Play Space Design Guidelines
Xyst developed a comprehensive Kindergarten Play Space Design Guidelines document for outdoor play spaces, at the licensed facilities, under the administration of Melton City Council.