Case Study: City of Sydney – Property & Asset Management Strategy Review
Client: City of Sydney
Location: Sydney New South Wales
Background
Following the amalgamation of two councils, the City of Sydney and South Sydney Council,
Sydney council initiated a strategic overhaul of its property portfolio appoach to ensure
alignment with corporate objectives, improve operational efficiency, and optimise asset
performance. The Property Unit—responsible for property and facility
management—commenced two key initiatives:
Property Strategic Plan
Facilities Management Plans for Council property
Project Scope and Objectives
1. Property Strategic Plan
The objective of the Strategic Plan was to create a framework that:
Aligns asset delivery and performance with the Council’s Corporate and Strategic
Plans.
Supports whole-of-life asset management.
Prioritises capital works and divestment opportunities.
Develops individual asset strategic plans.
Enhances portfolio governance and performance monitoring.
2. Facilities Management Plans
The FM Plans were designed to ensure that each asset has a clear, actionable framework for:
Routine and planned maintenance.
Upgrade and refurbishment programming.
Lifecycle cost management.
Portfolio Overview
Assets Managed: 283 buildings across 196 sites
Total Area: 370,000 m²
Heritage Assets: 48 buildings
Key Recommendations
1. Accelerate Development of Asset Strategic Plans
o Prioritise high-value and high-risk assets
o Leverage external consultants under a structured tender
2. Strengthen Systems
o Invest in an integrated asset management and forecasting system
o Improve scenario planning and portfolio analytics
3. Clarify Governance and KPIs
o Develop individual performance targets aligned to business unit outcomes
o Establish regular formal project and performance review meetings
4. Align Strategy to Execution
o Ensure clearer linkage between Council’s broad corporate objectives and
tactical property decisions
o Develop a measurement framework for ongoing asset contribution to service
delivery
5. Formalise Project Management
o Define project responsibilities more clearly within business plans
o Assign dedicated workstreams with accountabilities and tracking mechanisms
Conclusion
The City of Sydney has laid solid groundwork to transform its approach to property and asset
management. However, to unlock the full potential of its $1.6B portfolio, the Council must
build stronger internal capability, improve systems, and clarify strategic objectives and
governance. With improved planning, accountability, and resource allocation, the Property
Unit can become a key enabler of sustainable, community-aligned infrastructure outcomes.