Twizel Man Made Hill Development

The Twizel Community requested the transformation of “Man Made Hill”, an untidy mound of spoil from the Ministry of Works days. In response, Xyst crafted a concept plan for review and implementation by the Mackenzie District Council. The project’s primary goals were to engage the community, revegetate the hill, and enhance the existing walking trail. […]

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 has been prepared for every trail and this will include a complete assessment of all aspects of trail provision including visitor experience, current and recommended grade, accessibility, CPTED, hazards and […]

Regional Trails Master Plan – The Tracks and Trails of Western Australia’s Wildflower Country and Coast

Western Australia’s Tracks and Trails – Wildflower Country and Coasts. Xyst broke the project down into specific tasks made up of: 1. Market Analysis Baseline Data Collation Initial Workshop Desktop Research Benchmarking Levels of Service Framework 2. Site Development: Existing Trails Preparation On-ground Assessments Face-to-Face Consultation Improvements Schedule Existing Trail Mapping 3. Site Development: Proposed […]

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 District Council) a much better idea of how the trail was being used, and the issues associated with its use. The survey was followed up with a summary report of […]

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 satisfaction for the same features. Measuring satisfaction gave an indication of performance as measured against expectations. The difference, or gap between importance and satisfaction, gave a measure of under or […]

Facility Risk Assessment

New management at Council were concerned about the condition and risk of a number of community facilities and asset and invited Xyst to promptly assist

Bass Coast Tracks and Trails Strategy

This strategy identified 36 new trail opportunities to expand the trail network that has been identified during the development of this strategy, (emerging from background research, existing plans and key stakeholder consultation) and to respond specifically to: • recreation trends and preferences • existing trails network gaps • physical linkages/connections • opportunities to enhance community […]

Parks & Facilities Management

Brian Milne

Xyst was brought on board after a thorough risk and performance evaluation of the Mackenzie District Council’s parks and community facilities operations. Xyst was then asked to fill a sudden staff management gap, which quickly evolved into a long-term commitment to manage the District’s public facilities, parks, and community spaces. Throughout this period, Xyst’s team […]

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 develop the ‘Wairarapa Five Towns Trail Network’ as a signature trail experience. We worked with TRC Tourism develop a masterplan including cost estimates that would enable each Council to progress […]

Glacier Country Cycle Trail Feasibility Study

Xyst worked alongside Tourism Resource Consultants to deliver a feasibility report outlining a proposed cycle and walking trail between Okarito and Fox Glacier that would benefit the community economically without significant detrimental environmental effects. Workshops were held throughout and contact was made with key players to consider a possible route, potential constraints, develop costings and […]

Asset Condition Assessment & Valuation

Xyst was engaged to undertake Asset Collection work on behalf of the Mackenzie District Council, where we used a mobile GIS data collection tool to populate asset data throughout the district’s parks, facilities and trails. This asset information was then used to develop a renewal plan and valuation. This information has also been populated onto […]

Trail Signage at Whataupoko Park

Xyst developed a wayfinding signage plan in consultation with the Gisborne MTB Club. This project included: • consultation with immediate neighbours • development of a trail signage design package • development of a signage implementation plan including locations, quantities and installation specifications • project management implementation of signage installation, including sign ordering, procurement and contractor […]

Open Space and Street Furniture Guidelines

The Open Space and Street Furniture Guidelines is a suite of three resources: Practice Notes (this document) – 4 practice notes (people, place, environment, economy) describe context, principles, considerations and further reading relevant to open space and street furniture projects. These act as a general overview in support of the specific design guidelines. Case studies […]

Gender Impact Assessment, Warburton Mountain Bike Destination Project

Yarra Ranges Council is committed to working towards a Yarra Ranges where everyone has equitable access to resources, power and opportunities. This commitment is documented in the current Council Plan 2022-25. The Gender Equality Act 2020 requires local governments to conduct Gender Impact Assessments on all policies, programs and services which directly and significantly impact […]

Contract Performance Auditing

Nelson City Council engaged Xyst to carry out contract performance auditing. Xyst has developed an inspection template using a mobile app that allows performance against a set of performance measures from contract specifications to be scored from 1 to 5 and to produce an overall percentage score for each location. Activities audited include grass maintenance, […]

Trail Survey

Yarra Ranges - 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 Warburton Rail Trail, and the Yarra Valley Trail. This was a follow-up to an earlier survey carried out in 2019. Performance assessments were conducted in March 2022 using the Yardstick […]

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 a range of parks related services and features. The product was initially called Parkcheck and is still known as this by some users. The surveys were taken online in 2015 […]

The Tracks and Trails of WA’s Wildflower Country and Coast

Xyst delivered a Regional Trails Master Plan that was sufficient to enable Western Australia’s constituent councils to give due consideration to the strategic aspects of the question as to whether it is feasible to progress with the planning and physical development of individual trails. Xyst completed a market analysis, site development considerations and feasibility studies […]

Eltham Lower Park Wayfinding Audit

Xyst developed an audit to identify the existing signage placed within the Eltham Lower Park and adjoining areas. This existing signage included signs directing people to the park and within the park. Each sign within the park was assessed to consider the condition, functionality and wayfinding needs for visitors to the park. At the end […]

Trails Strategy 2021

Xyst undertook a comprehensive audit and assessment of the Shires diverse trail network with emphasis on user experience. Alongside the audit, Xyst provided mapping analysis of the Shire’s current trail network and a strategic assessment. Following this a comprehensive report was supplied to Council which helped inform Council’s long-term plan for managing its trail network […]

Kauaeranga Valley Trail Needs Assessment

For preparation of the assessment Xyst undertook a review of current strategic documents, recreation participation, current trail provision, demographics and projections, the tourism setting and active transport opportunities. To understand where community sentiments lay and to gather further localised information community consultation was undertaken via three ways: stakeholder structured interviews, an online survey and drop-in […]

Karl Nesbitt

I have over 30 years’ experience in the horticulture, parks and open spaces, community facilities and customer service sectors. I have been involved in contract management, business development and quality assurance programs such as Yardstick. You can contact me for help with Project management Asset management Environmental landscape Open space development Cemeteries and crematoria Community, […]

Trails

We do everything required to create safe, sustainable trails that allow people to enjoy the outdoors without having an impact on the environment

Anne Relling

To assist councils and other agencies, I work with them to complete strategic and asset planning to help meet the recreational and open space needs of their communities. I also undertake project management on behalf of councils to implement actions identified in their long-term plans. It’s important to understand every client’s needs. That’s why we […]

Tom O'Neill

Since starting with Xyst, I have worked alongside council to fill the role of Parks, Facilities and Customer Service Officer. This role manages the day-to-day operations of the council’s cemeteries, parks, pools, halls and associated community services. I’m also involved in planning and auditing these services to ensure their quality is maintained. Where possible, I […]

Eric Hamilton

I support councils to develop clear policy and guidelines for managing public activities on public land. I do this by supporting council officers to manage natural and built assets, ensuring they are maintained and managed in a sustainable manner. This support includes helping council staff to grow and broaden their knowledge to manage people, activities, […]

Dafydd Pettigrew

As a consultant, I have been involved with a mixture of parks planning, asset management, capital works delivery and programme management projects for councils, charitable trusts and Maori trusts. My role often requires a high degree of consultation and engagement with the public, key stakeholders and mana whenua. In any project, I work with people […]

Paul Wilson

My primary role is to manage the team at Xyst’s Napier office and to assist our other consultants to bring innovative, best practice solutions for our clients. I have deep knowledge across the key areas of Xyst’s services and share it for our collective benefit. I’m the go-to guy for technical issues and problem solving. I […]