Together the Performance and Benchmarking Standing Committee and Working Group are responsible for the implementation of the Parks Industry Performance Framework.

Their projects work towards promoting high quality and effective management that is based on best practice.Through these performance measurement programs we aim to enable the parks industry to demonstrate to government and the community the effective and efficient management of resources.

Key projects include:

Great Parks Network Benchmark reports

This program analyses management performance based on organisational benchmarks across environmental, economic, social, cultural and management measures.

Agency Statistics Survey

This important program collects quantitative operational information on aspects such as budgets, hectares managed, visitor and staff numbers. Data is compared across agencies and over time allows us, amongst other things, to scope the relative size of the parks industry.

Peer Review

A service offered to Parks Forum member agencies assisting them to develop business excellence. A review of an agency is undertaken by peers with the aim of identifying strengths and opportunities for improvement. This review is based on the business excellence frameworks of Australia, New Zealand and the United States, focusing on seven areas of excellence, ranging from leadership, customer and market focus to organisational sustainability.

Parks Forum Awards Program 

This newly initiated scheme will be an integral part of the organisation’s performance, benchmarking and standards program. It is open to all members of the park management industry and will recognise integrity, innovation and industry best practice. A key objective is to promulgate successful programs throughout the industry and to the broader community.

Current Standing Committee and Working Group members

• Chair: Digby Whyte,Group Manager, Manukau Parks, Manukau City Council
  
• Dave Jane, Manager, Heritage Appreciation, Department of Conservation, NZ
  
• Liz Sutherland, Performance Coordinator, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water
  
• Peter Livitsanis, Chief Ranger, Fire (West) Parks Victoria
• Andrew Ferris, Executive Manager, Parklands & Environment, Sydney Olympic Park Authority
• Andrew Roberts, Manager, Business Services Branch, Tasmania Parks & Wildlife
• Jean-Pierre Issaverdis, Manager - Marketing and Business, Tidbinbilla, ACT Department of Territory and Municipal Services
• Barry Hayden, Recreation and Tourism Planning Project Officer, Department for Environment & Heritage
• Erik Vander Spek, Eastern Sector Principal Ranger, Greater Wellington Regional Council
• Dino Zanon, Manager, Research & Management Effectiveness, Parks Victoria
• Bob Dobbs, Parkland Curator, Roma Street Parkland
  
• Working Group Chair: Mace Ward, Group Manager - Parks Operations, Auckland Regional Council
• Gyles Bendall, Strategic Parks Planner, Waitakere City Council
• Ingrid Sieler, Program Manager, Parks Forum

Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference for the Standing Committee can be downloaded by members below: