Research
Empowering our councils and local government agencies with timely, accurate information allows them to make good decisions about their outdoor spaces, facilities and assets. We’re research specialists. Having quality information underpins every project we undertake and allows us to use evidence-based decision making in any recommendations.
Research plays such an important role in the work we do that we developed Yardstick, a suite of benchmarking tools delivering information to inform decision making and improve service delivery.
Combined with our knowledge of the processes, constraints, challenges, the political environment and agendas, we find election-proof solutions and create better management systems for our clients.
if we can help you deliver a project
Our expertise
- Benchmarking
- Intercept Surveys
- Observational Studies
- Performance Assessments
- Consultation Yardstick
Related Team
Related Projects
Tree Risk Management Plan
Xyst developed a comprehensive Tree Risk Management Plan designed to prioritise the inspection and maintenance of amenity trees across the district. This plan is guided
Drone Aerial Imagery of Parks and Reserves
Xyst completed aerial mapping (using a drone) of rural land and reserves to provide a new orthomosaic image to be used for GIS, planning and
Ruapehu Tree Data Collection
Xyst collected tree data on more than 1,600 of Ruapehu District Councils (RDC) street and park trees. Data collected included GPS location, species, maturity, size,
Ashburton Land Status Review and Classification
Xyst undertook a comprehensive review of all park and reserve land held by Ashburton District Council for open space purposes, to determine how the land
GIS Mapping of Cemeteries
Xyst carried out GIS mapping of two cemeteries in South Australia – Port Pirie Cemetery and Crystal Brook Cemetery. The purpose of this project is
Mangawhai Open Space and Facilities Needs Analysis
Xyst was engaged by Kaipara District Council to assess provision of open spaces and recreation facilities in Mangawhai for the next 30 years. We assessed
Hawkes Bay Expressway Mapping
We drew upon a range of spatial information to develop the bespoke maps. These maps showed roading designations across the two Councils as well as
Shortland Cemetery Tree Assessment and Maintenance Plan
Xyst undertook tree condition and risk assessments on almost 100 trees at Shortland Cemetery. The main driver for this work was an aging tree population
John William Hall (JWH) Arboretum Tree Assessment
Xyst undertook tree condition and risk assessments of over 100 trees at the JWH Arboretum. For each tree we collected tree location, species and size,
GIS Mapping of Suburban Parks
Xyst carried out GIS mapping of 32 Suburban Parks within the Brimbank City Council area, identifying shapes and point locations of park asset categories. This
Parks Operational Review
After consulting with Maribyrnong City Council’s management and operational staff, the Xyst team identified areas for improvement and operational excellence. Xyst conducted an audit of
Ashburton District Tree Inventory
Xyst collected tree data on all of Ashburton District Council’s (ADC) street and park trees including GPS location, species, maturity, condition and potential risk features.
Leamington Domain Masterplan
Xyst worked in partnership with mana whenua to undertake site analysis with key staff and lessees, a two-stage public engagement process and community board and
Open Space Embellishment Costing
Developed an open space hierarchy and typical development level of service description on which to base cost estimates for development contributions evaluation. Developed cost estimates
Open Space Level of Service Review
The outputs included: Review current Open Space category hierarchy and identify options for improvements Performance assessment of a range of parks across the municipality Undertake
Parks Service Unit Operational Review
Xyst worked closely with the unit to better understand the current state of their functions and services, and the effectiveness and efficiency of the current
Cemetery Concept Plans and Capacity Analysis
Xyst undertook site analysis with key staff, an assessment of the statutory framework, a two-stage public engagement process, mana whenua engagement, and community board and
Service Planning for the future maintenance of parks and trees city wide
Workshop with client to identify strengths and weaknesses of current approach and consider alternative opportunities
Eastern Porirua Reserves Spatial Plan
Eastern Porirua is going through a period of change as Kāinga Ora Homes and Communities (Kāinga Ora) redevelops large areas of its land to meet
Hastings Library Strategy Consultation
Xyst undertook a multi-method consultation approach to reach all demographics of the Hastings community (including hard to reach demographics such as non-library users, the vulnerable,
Lake Rotorua Recreation Gap Analysis
Xyst was commissioned by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to provide a gap analysis of informal recreation provision in the Rotorua catchment. The analysis
Track Asset Review
Undertook a detailed trail assessment of all Ruapehu District Council (RDC) managed trails using Xyst’s trail assessment system and against HB8630:2004. An individual assessment report
Boat Ramps Observational Study
Xyst undertook counts, using an observational count of vehicles across all boat ramps with the addition of a user count of park users at Marine
Peace Avenue Trees
Xyst was engaged by the Mackenzie District Council to undertake an inspection of the 500 historic Peace Avenue trees planted at the turn of the
Omokoroa to Tauranga Cycle Trail survey 2020
The Xyst survey team collected a total of 200 intercept and online surveys over a period of a week that gave our client (Western Bay
Swan Canning Riverpark (WA) Parks User Survey
Xyst measured visitor expectations of levels of service by asking them to rate the importance of various park features. These results were compared with visitor
Nelson Responsible Camping Research
Xyst designed a survey and undertook face-to face interviews with 193 campers located at the Camping Hub or free camping sites using preset questions developed
Wairarapa Five Towns Trail Network Masterplan
In 2017 the Wellington Regional Trails Framework was endorsed by the partners who initiated it and contained in the framework is a key recommendation to
Park CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) and Accessibility Assessment Report
Xyst visited four parks, completed full walkovers, took critical measurements and images of areas and spoke to park users as well as completing background research
Open Space and Tree Management Market and Service Delivery Assessment
City of Melbourne engaged Xyst to undertake a market and service delivery assessment and make recommendations on the best model for packaging the Open Space
Open space contract quality audits and asset management condition inspections
The City of Whittlesea maintains 2,173 sites within its municipal boundaries where individual assets are located to be audited. All assets are inspected across the
Manapouri Foreshore Vegetation Management Plan
Southland District Council (SDC) was undertaking a review of the Manapouri Foreshore Reserve Management Plan (2003) which provided for height management of vegetation on the
Waikato Tree Inventory data collection
Using a mobile data collection tool (GIS Cloud) Xyst collected data about the identity, age, condition, location and maintenance requirements of every Council tree in
Trail Survey
In early 2022 Yarra Ranges Council engaged Xyst to undertake a performance assessment of three shared use trails: the Lilydale Lake Trail, the Lilydale to
Yardstick Parks User Surveys
Yardstick Parks User Surveys were developed in around 2008 initially as a paper based intercept survey designed to target park users and measure satisfaction with
Bold Park User Satisfaction Review
Xyst completed a comprehensive engagement strategy involving user intercept surveys, obtaining feedback from non-park-users in surrounding areas, and a matching on-line survey to establish an
Parks Performance Assessments
The purpose of the parks performance assessment was to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each park, from a multi-faceted holistic perspective, and particularly from
Playground Performance Assessment
Undertook an assessment of each playground using the Playable Space Assessment Tool, Play England 2009, which has been adapted by Xyst. The tool enabled an
Recreation Facilities Utilisation Study
The Xyst team undertook an assessment of the sport and recreation facilities across the Ashburton District, providing key provisions including a gap analysis and trend
Parks User Survey
Xyst carried out surveys within various parks and reserves in the City of Greater Dandenong. These surveys recorded visitor expectations of levels of service and
Performance Analysis Report and Improvement Plan
Xyst looked at the City of Joondalup’s park information and management processes and compared these against other Australian organisations. These comparisons provided Xyst with information
Parks and Service Review
Xyst was brought in to undertake a service review of the Parks and Environment section based on a Council resolution of November 2018. We reviewed
Performance Analysis Report and Improvement Plan
Xyst looked at the City of Kingstons park information and management processes and compared these against other Australian organisations. These comparisons provided Xyst with information
Performance Analysis Report and Improvement Plan
Xyst looked at the City of Karratha’s park information and management processes and compared these against other Australian organisations. These comparisons provided Xyst with information
Parks User Survey
Visitors’ expectations for levels of service are measured by asking them to rate the importance of various park features. The results are compared with visitor
Staff Resource Benchmarking Exercise
Xyst used data from Yardstick to create benchmarking metrics to compare four other Victorian councils to Macedon Ranges. Using this data Xyst was able to
Open Spaces and Tree Management Market and Service Delivery Assessment
Xyst worked with City of Melbourne staff to develop an understanding of how the current delivery model is performing and, importantly, what changes are recommended
Park Observation Study
Xyst developed a methodology including a set of observation criteria. Merri-bek City Council used its own labour force to observe people in 230 parks and,
Parks and Gardens Service Review
Xyst undertook a performance quality assessment of operations and maintenance standards across a sample of different parks categories with a geographic spread across the shire.
Contract Management and Contract Auditing
Xyst was engaged to manage the Amenity Tree Maintenance Contract and Open Space Maintenance contract for the City of Port Phillip from May 2023 through
Social Housing CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) Assessment
Xyst conducted interviews with properties and stakeholder relationships staff, and inspected the site both at day time and night time to make site observations on