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
Parks Service Unit Operational Review
Working closely with the unit to better understand the current state of their functions and services, and the effectiveness and efficiency of the current team
Waipā District Council Cemetery Concept Plans and Capacity Analysis
We undertook site analysis with key staff, an assessment of the statutory framework, a two-stage public engagement process, mana whenua engagement, community board and council
Whittlesea 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
Ruapehu District Council 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
Tauranga City Council 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
Mackenzie District 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
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
City of Melbourne 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
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
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
City of Darebin – 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
City of Darebin – 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
Ashburton District Council – 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
City of Greater Dandenong – 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
City of Joondalup – 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
City of Kalamunda – 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
City of Kingston – 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
City of Karratha – 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
Macedon Ranges Shire Council – 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
Macedon Ranges Shire Council – 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
City of Melbourne – 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
Merri-bek City Council – 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,
Shire of Northam – 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 worked with client to improve contract management practices supported by quality audit inspections.
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