Mark Smith

Director

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As a Director I am able to support clients in many ways with my specialities in asset management, procurement, maintenance contract options, service reviews and project management support.

My experience allows me to be flexible in the options I provide for client support. I take a pragmatic and diligent approach to client queries, and having a naturally inquisitive mind, I’m highly adept at finding a variety of solutions for clients.

You can contact me for help with

My expertise

Prior to joining Xyst, I served the Tauranga City Council for 15 years, most recently in the role of Manager Parks and Recreation where I led the planning for open space and indoor space recreation. I’m recognised nationally as a leader in the delivery of outstanding parks and am acknowledged for my talents in efficient and inclusive delivery of organisational and customer expectations.

I bring outstanding organisational skills to any project, along with a serious pedigree in asset management, procurement and project management. I’m a long-time supporter and previous member of the Parks Advisory Team for Yardstick Parks.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science: Human Geography, Open University
Diploma in Geography, Open University

Xyst in action

One memorable and rewarding project was leading the team that created sports fields in a greenfield location. This was in response to growth pressures creating congested parks at peak times and challenges for sports codes to be accommodated in their preferred location.

By initiating a review of the demand and needs analysis, reserve management plan update and being successful in seeking funds at the LTP, we helped to create a new sports park with all associated facilities for the benefit of field sports, passive recreation and play.

Expertise

Service Delivery

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

Research

Along with Yardstick, our international benchmarking program for local government, if you need research to make good decisions, we can get it for you

Amenities & Facilities

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

Project Management

We specialise in providing specialist project management skills for parks, recreation and community projects.

Cemeteries

With the growing demand for land and space, we can provide you with efficient strategies and solutions for managing cemeteries

Camping

From design and planning to maintenance, we can help to ensure people have a great experience when they enjoy your campgrounds and facilities

Asset Management

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

My Projects

Artificial Water Features in Parks

Risk Assessment Xyst conducted a risk assessment on Council-owned artificial water features located in public spaces. Xyst worked with Council to identify the assets to

Site Operational Plan Template

Xyst workshopped with key parks staff, discussing delivery outcomes, levels of service, desired operational plans format and expectations for inclusion. This facilitated our understanding of

Review of Service Standards

We worked with the team to refine the park categories and quality standards i.e., high, medium or basic. The purpose of this work was to

Aquatic Services Provision

Service Delivery Section 17a LGA 2023 This review was conducted to determine the most appropriate service delivery model to achieve the desired outcomes in a

Schedule of Quantities and Operational Review

Xyst reviewed the current schedule of quantities and aligned the contract delivery outcomes, enabling cost analysis at multiple levels. This allowed Xyst to undertake benchmarking

Asset Fair Value Assessment

Xyst was engaged by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council to determine the replacement values for its Parks and Coastal Assets. This project involved

Whangārei Aquatic Centre Asset Management Practices Review

Xyst supported Smartz in its review of the pool that is run by Sport Northland (SN) and Community Leisure Management (CLM), by providing the asset

Risk Assessment Artificial Water Features in Reserves

This report is intended as a follow up to our previous report; Artificial Water Features in Recreation Reserves dated 2 August 2023. The original report

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

Parks Operational Review

Xyst worked with staff from the Parks and Open Spaces Maintenance Team, along with other departments, to understand how parks maintenance operations are currently performing

Waipā Development Levels of Service

As a result of gap’s identified in the preparation of Waipa’s Asset Management Plans, Xyst was engaged to prepare a parks hierarchy detailed development levels

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.

Asset Management Plan Peer Review

Xyst undertook a peer review of the Bay Venues Limited Asset Management Plan (2024-2027) structure and approach and provided an insight as to whether it

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

Putāruru Water Park – Stage 2 Visitors Precinct – TIF Application

Xyst detailed the proposal, the project description, the proposed infrastructure, funding source investigation, the project milestones, risks and mitigations for the project in the application

Contracts and Specifications Review

Xyst worked to facilitate a series of tasks that have a focus on operational management of the portfolio of open space. This includes: project management

Review of Open Space Maintenance Delivery

Xyst was engaged to review the Council’s service delivery, with the overall aim of ensuring the service is delivered effectively and efficiently and that it

Freedom Camping Review

Xyst was engaged to review the current state of freedom camping in the Ōpōtiki District and provide options and recommendations for the future management of

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

Property and Facilities Activity Management Plan review

Xyst provided an at-a-glance review of the asset management plan as the first stage of Council’s plan rewrite. We prepared a report that lists suggested

Reserves and Facilities Asset Management Plan Improvement Support

The project for WBOPDC was driven by the need to better structure and streamline the AMP sections, to align the sections to the adopted LTP

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

Community Experience Group Organisational Structure Review

Xyst undertook a review for Whakatāne District Council, looking at areas of the business that have the potential for positive change. Three types of change

Memorial Headstone Safety Audit

The intent of the audit by Xyst was to inspect memorial headstones for stability/soundness and identify any headstones that may present a risk to cemetery

Asset Condition and Data Assessment of Parks Assets

Xyst collected asset information on the parks portfolio of assets. The portfolio is spread over 75 parks, reserves and cemeteries across the South Waikato district

Parks renewals forecast and budget submission

In order to prepare a budget forecast and prepare a supporting narrative for the submission, Xyst conducted an analysis of July 2021 asset data and

Street Tree Data Collection

Identified each street by botanical name and common name and recored the trees stage of life, condition, issues such as located under power wires and

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

Section 17a Open Space Maintenance Service Review

Xyst worked with the Parks and Reserves team at South Waikato District Council to compare and analyse options including outsourcing delivery, in-house delivery, shared service

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

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

Reserves and Facilities Asset Management Plan Peer Review Proposal

Reviewed and scored each section based on IIMM 2016, IPWEA Parks Practice Notes and the Local Government Act 2002

Open Space Asset Data Verification and Condition Inspection Program

Inspection of roughly 5,000 open space and sports field assets to provide GIS spatial location, and asset condition. The project included improving the accuracy of