Brian Milne

Director

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My specialist field of expertise is asset management. I also provide planning and operational support to local government clients, allowing them to complete the parks and recreational projects that enhance our community well-being.

Managing assets is a challenge faced by every council and local government body, which is why I oversee the development and delivery of the Yardstick benchmarking program. In turn, we provide our clients with practical solutions, advice and documentation for a wide range of parks management and planning needs.

Xyst plays an important role, touching the lives of every person in the communities we support. We use our industry leading expertise and experience to help local government and other clients. It allows us to deliver effective and affordable parks, community and recreation plans, and projects and management support.

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My expertise

My experience is vast, spanning over four decades in local government parks and recreation facility management. Specialising in asset management for the parks and recreation industry, I have combined this discipline with strategic planning and service delivery to find practical, achievable solutions for many clients.

Qualifications

Diploma of Horticulture, Lincoln College
Diploma of Parks and Recreation, Lincoln College
National Diploma of Horticulture, RNZIH

Accreditation

Accredited Recreation Professional (ARPro)

Xyst in action

The fact that all Xyst staff have experience in working for councils and local government means we understand how everything works and what is needed to get things done. We were able to demonstrate this expertise when we stepped into an acting management role at Mackenzie District Council at short notice.

Our job was to ensure continuity of service and community response, as well as working to establish management systems and strategic planning. We followed that up with the delivery of a range of reserve developments and other improvements.

Expertise

Service Delivery

From procuring and managing contractors to the practical implementation of strategic work, we can help you to deliver services efficiently

Amenities & Facilities

Good quality, safe and well-maintained public amenities are essential for the convenience and comfort of people using our public spaces

Play Spaces

From redevelopments to new builds, our children need safe, fun play spaces to get them outside for fresh air and exercise

Open Space Planning

Open space planning encompases everything to do with policy for open spaces in our communities including parks and playgrounds

Asset Management

Having accurate information about assets allows you to make practical, workable decisions about maintaining and developing community spaces

My Projects

Playground Performance Assessment Summary Report

A total of 214 playground performance assessments were conducted in 2019 in the Toowoomba Regional Council. Data was captured utilising hand held mobile devices and

South East Queensland Water Playground Performance Assessment

Xyst staff undertook 17 playground assessments in 2019. Data was captured utilising hand held mobile devices and uploaded to an online platform that collated the

Parks Operations Business Improvement Review

Xyst staff initially carried out a desktop analysis of existing documents relating to service levels, service standards, budgets, customer feedback, asset management plans and strategic

Wayfinding Signage Installations

Xyst was commissioned by the Mackenzie District Council to project manage the installation of new park, public space, and wayfinding signage throughout the Mackenzie District.

Twizel Sports Field Concept Plans

The Mackenzie District Council engaged Xyst’s landscape architects and support staff to conduct a comprehensive analysis and scoping of two reserves for potential development with

Township Contract Performance Auditing

Xyst designed a specialized tool for the Mackenzie District Council, leveraging the Safety Culture iAuditor platform. This tailored solution facilitates the inspection of areas maintained

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

Lake Ruataniwha Reserve Management Plan

Xyst was commissioned by the Mackenzie District Council to develop a Reserve Management Plan (RMP) for the Lake Ruataniwha Reserve, in accordance to the Reserves

Parks & Facilities Asset Management Plan

Xyst revisited and enhanced the Mackenzie District Council’s Parks Facilities & Public Places Asset Management Plan (AMP). This involved a thorough review, incorporating new data

Mauka Atua Reserve, Design & Development

Xyst took on the task of designing and developing the Mauka Atua Reserve, transforming it into a functional public space. Collaborating closely with the Lake

Play Strategy

Xyst was commissioned to develop a Play Strategy for the Mackenzie District Council, the region has a modest population of around 8000 residents but welcomes

Public Toilets Strategy

The Mackenzie District Council engaged Xyst to conduct a comprehensive review of the provision of Public Toilets in the District and to formulate a strategy.

Central Otago Parks and Recreation Activity Management Plan

Xyst undertook an update of the Parks and Recreation Activity Management for the 2024-34 LTP. This work including updating information relating to: land and asset

Waipā Parks, Cemetery and Public Toilets Asset Management Plans

Xyst worked with Council staff to update the information in the Parks, Cemetery and Toilets Asset Management Plans to inform the 2024 Long Term Plan.

Hurunui Halls Feasibility Study

Xyst prepared a feasibility study that included a needs assessment for community halls in both Hawarden and Waikari townships. We prepared concept plans and costings

Timaru Parks and Cemeteries Asset Management Plan

Xyst reviewed the existing plans and updated them with current information to inform the 2021 Long Term Plan.

Wingicarribee Playground Strategy

Xyst undertook a playground performance assessment, developed levels of service, prepared a draft strategy and assessed consultation feedback. We then finalised the Playground Strategy and

Wingecarribee Public Toilet Strategy

Xyst undertook a performance assessment of all public toilets, including user surveys and counting at select sites. We developed categories and levels of service, undertook

Wingecarribee Streetscape Levels of Service and Service Specification

Assessment of current streetscape service levels and workshops with staff with the objective of establishing a consistent approach to service standards for the development and

Woollahra open space data capture, condition assessment and valuation

Xyst provided up to date and complete open space asset collection with GPS locations and condition grading. We established a schedule of replacement rates and

Recreation and Property AMP’s for Waitaki District

Xyst worked with the the Waitaki District Council to update the Recreation (Parks and facilities) Activity Management Plan. We developed the new (first) Activity Management

Fairlie Ashes Circle

The team at Xyst were engaged by the Mackenzie District Council to spearhead the development of the Fairlie Cemetery Ashes Circle. The project started with

Playground Performance Assessment

Undertook site-based performance assessment of all South East Queensland Water Playgrounds and provided a summary report and planning recommendations.

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

Playground Performance Assessment

Xyst conducted performance assessments and an inspection of each site. Data was captured utilising hand-held mobile devices and uploaded to an online platform that collated

Playground Performance Assessment

Performance assessments were conducted on the regions 125 playgrounds. Data was captured utilising hand held mobile devices and uploaded to an online platform that collated

Play Strategy

Xyst prepared a play strategy to set out the approach to the future provision of playgrounds across the region. The methodology and outputs included: performance

Public Amenities Strategy and Implementation Plan

The outcomes of this project included: • To maintain a network of safe, accessible, clean and environmentally sustainable public amenities • To improve the quality

Asset Management Plan

Project included asset management maturity assessment, development of levels of service framework and risk assessment

Open Space Valuation Methodology

Xyst were tasked with researching current industry practice with regard to the application of variable asset lives (and values where appropriate) that reflect the needs

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

Donovan Nursery Review

After conducting a thorough review of the information provided by Invercargill City Council (ICC), Xyst went through a comprehensive evaluation of the operational and financial

Twizel Resource Recovery Park – Planting Plan and Planting

Xyst visited the site and developed a detailed planting plan, then procured plants and engaged contractors to deliver the project.

Ohau Road Reserve Redevelopment

Xyst was engaged by the Mackenzie District Council to revitalise the Ohau Road Reserve in Twizel. The project began with the creation of a concept

Peace Avenue Trees

Xyst undertook a survey of 500 historic trees planted at the turn of the century in and around Fairlie and Kimbell towns. The trees had

Senior Manager Executive Placement

Xyst deployed an experienced and knowledgeable Parks and Facilities Manager to cover a vacancy for the Mackenzie District Council. Xyst seamlessly assumed the vacant position

Parks & Facilities Management

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

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

Spencer Beach Holiday Park Management Transition

The holiday park had been leased from Christchurch City Council for many years and there was a lack of clarity around asset ownership and value

Roto Kohatu Recreation Reserve Management Plan

Christchurch City Council engaged Xyst to assist on the Roto Kohatu Recreation Reserve Management Plan. Preliminary work on the preparation of a reserve management plan

Community Facilities and Open Spaces Levels of Service Development

For Southland District Council, levels of service were prepared by Xyst for a range of assets within six activity areas: 1. Parks and Reserves (Open

Open Space Maintenance Specifications

In 2016 Xyst Ltd established a working group of parks industry colleagues representing both the client and contractor interests, to explore the need for an

Child Care Centre Playground Performance Assessment

Key findings of the performance assessments, accompanied by some high level analytical commentary was completed, with each playground assigned an overall performance assessment score. Analysis

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

Valuation of Land Improvement Assets for Financial Reporting Purposes

Xyst was engaged by Council to undertake a valuation of specified Land Improvement Assets. These standards were valued on the basis of Fair Value and

Valuation of Parks Assets for Financial Reporting Purposes

Xyst was engaged by Council to undertake a valuation of specified Land Improvement Assets. These standards were valued on the basis of Fair Value 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.