The City of Perth

The City of Perth

The City of Perth is a vibrant urban centre known for its iconic landmarks, thriving business district, and proximity to some of Australia’s most stunning scenery. As the governing body for this dynamic area, the City of Perth is responsible for a diverse portfolio of around 90 buildings, including:

• Town halls,
• Libraries,
• Community centres,
• Administrative offices.

Effectively managing this portfolio requires a thorough approach to asset data to ensure the city remains a vibrant and sustainable hub for residents, businesses and visitors.

The challenge: Lack of Clarity on Roof Assets

The primary challenge stemmed from the limitations of existing asset data. City of Perth had a commitment to gaining a clearer understanding of the condition of the assets in their property portfolio – considering lessons from previous building condition assessment projects. For assets at heights, the objectives could not be achieved through a traditional ground level assessment. The wider consolidation and refinement of detailed asset information, including roof assets, would then empower City to make more informed decisions, paving the way for optimised asset performance and long-term sustainability. 

The Solution:  Enriching Assets With Drone Surveys and a Data-Driven Approach 

Recognising the critical need for accurate and up-to-date asset information, including assets at height, SPM Assets collaboratively developed a tailored solution to address the challenges. The following two-part approach leveraged cutting-edge technology, including high-resolution drones for aerial surveys, to capture comprehensive and detailed data on City's assets as part of a wider condition assessment programme.

1. Drone Operations & Data Acquisition

SPM Assets is accredited with CASA as a commercial drone survey operator (ReOC) throughout Australia. Each drone flight was preceded by meticulous planning in collaboration with City of Perth, including detailed flight plans, Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), and comprehensive risk assessments. Safe take-off and landing zones were identified, and operational flight areas were carefully defined to ensure the safety of personnel, the public, and surrounding property.

Utilising state-of-the-art drones equipped with high-resolution cameras, SPM Assets captured detailed aerial imagery and video footage of City's assets. This enabled the team to get “eyes on the asset" from unique perspectives, overcoming access limitations and providing valuable insights into the condition of hard-to-reach areas. Where access issues or flight restrictions proved insurmountable, an extendable camera was used to achieve a similar outcome.

A robust data collection methodology was implemented, incorporating best practices in aerial surveying, data analysis, and reporting. This ensured the collection of accurate and consistent data, including the identification and classification of defects and the evaluation of overall asset condition – without requiring either estimated data from the ground, or costly and high-risk assessments via walking on roofs or elevated work platforms.

2. Data Analysis & Reporting

The collected data was meticulously analysed and processed using advanced software and techniques. Our drone assessment was embedded into the wider asset register and condition assessments performed for City of Perth, and as such, allows for coordinated and consolidated planning. The SPM Assets software solution was used to store and report on the asset register, including innovative risk-based lifecycle forecasting. This involved identifying and classifying defects, assessing the condition of various asset components, and generating detailed reports with findings, recommendations and prioritised maintenance needs. Therefore, by conducting drone assessments as part of a wider programme City achieved a greater outcome than simply receiving aerial imagery in isolation.

The Results:  A Birdseye View of Asset Conditions & Maintenance Plans 

By leveraging the power of drone technology and data analysis, SPM Assets enabled the City of Perth to achieve significant results, including:

• Enhanced understanding of asset condition: Detailed assessments provided valuable insights into the condition and remaining useful life of each asset that would not be easily visible from ground level.
• Significantly improved data accuracy and completeness: The project resulted in a comprehensive and up-to-date dataset for the City of Perth's assets – including assets assessed via drone.
• Identification of critical maintenance needs and potential risks: Prioritised maintenance schedules were developed to address critical issues and mitigate potential risks, including those based on roof assets.
• Improved decision-making: The project supported data-driven decision-making regarding capital investments, renewals, and asset disposal.

The City of Perth is now equipped to make informed decisions and build a more sustainable future for its assets. SPM Assets’ data-driven approach, combined with a deep understanding of their needs, has empowered the City of Perth to optimise maintenance, plan for the future, and achieve sustainable long-term success.

If you'd like to discuss how we can help you adopt a strategic approach to your asset management, don't hesitate to get in touch.