All this sounds more like the work of a veterinarian than a property management company.

Yet it is this breadth of responsibilities that has spawned the specialist discipline of Total Facilities Management, a concept growing in popularity in South Africa following its introduction a little over six years ago, says MD of Broll Facilities Management, Stan Frank.

"The creation of resource-intense property developments - like the proposed 'African Urbanism' and 'Eco Park' concept - requires skills that go beyond those found in traditional property management," says Frank.

"These additional responsibilities, coupled with the ability of outsource partners to provide them more effectively, have created a discipline that is experiencing phenomenal global growth.

"The key to the entire process is the integration of diverse skills into a managed process complete with controls and service-level agreements that meet raised client expectations."

With a portfolio of more than R17-billion under management, Broll is well positioned to take advantage of the swing to a more comprehensive management style.

One development that has benefited from the concept has been The Woodlands - a highly successful, 50ha, low-density "African theme" office park in Gauteng that includes a licensed game park within its urban borders.

The Woodlands - home to some of SA's most prestigious corporations - has successfully integrated the needs of the modern office user with the beauty and splendour of a wide selection of the country's fauna and flora for the past decade.

The Woodlands GM Barry McDonald says : "We draw on several experts to assist us with the management of this venture, including one of the country's most respected wildlife-trained veterinarians.

"Stock rotation in most managed properties means ensuring that you have fresh consumables, at The Woodlands it means ensuring that the various buck within the game park do not inbreed."

Broll is southern Africa's largest full-service independent property services group with operations in all major centres.

The company was established in 1975 and includes Catalyst Holdings and Mvelaphanda Strategic Investments among its shareholders. - The Star