Contact Fully Qualified & Experienced Surveyors in ACT & NSW

Land surveying is the practice of measuring and mapping the environment with the help of specialised technology, software, and mathematics.

Commonly, the information gathered is used in determining property boundaries, preparing contour maps, or setting out the location of roads, tunnels, and buildings. Although we call it land surveying, the practice also covers planning and charting the sky and the oceans.

A land surveyor’s role is to determine land size and related measurements, which is required to guide the work of engineers, architects, and developers. Land surveyors are needed for a broad range of construction projects, from land subdivisions to mineral exploration. Land surveyors are also required to know the legal framework surrounding land ownerships boundaries and development. They ensure proposed plans for a project are in line with the applicable laws.

Along with engineers and architects, land surveyors play an integral part in the structuring of our surroundings. By measuring and mapping the land, they lay down the groundwork for any development or construction, residential or commercial, including mining, subdivisions, roads, and more. Surveyor measurements are utilised by engineers to safely and efficiently plan any structure or project. Surveyors also advise on legal requirements for any project and ensure regulation is adhered to. 

If you are building, renovating, or subdividing, chances are you do need a surveyor’s help. They will be able to provide you approval for your project and ensure it is safe and structurally sound. Land surveyors are experts in land management law, titles and planning, and is the only profession authorised by the government to legally define boundaries and prepare subdivision plans.

Be careful to use a registered surveyor, as you can get issues down the track relating to structural encroachments, violations, and building compliance. Your insurance may also not cover work surveyed by a non-registered surveyor.

There are many instances you may need a land survey performed on your property. This applies for both commercial and residential property owners. Here are some of the instances where you may need to call a professional surveyor: 

• When developing a strata title plan.
• For large scale development involving roadworks and large-scale construction.
• To establish the position of your property boundaries/wanting to build on or close to the boundaries.
• When documenting the land and buildings on the land.
• Subdividing.
• To create an easement over your property.
• To determine the levels of your land.

The tools used by today’s land surveyors differ vastly from the tools used a few decades ago. The advancement of new technology has provided surveyors with the ability to measure and report data more efficiently than ever before. Some of these advancements include 3D laser scanners, drones, and GPS navigation systems.

3D laser scanners help surveyors better understand the shape of the land and objects on the land, such as buildings. Surveyors provide the data to architects, who then can accurately visualise the land they are going to build or design on.

Surveying professionals nowadays rely on GPS navigation systems to quickly and accurately provide the data required for use in mapping and surveying work across a range of industries, developments, and applications. To learn more about the main methods of GPS measurement in surveying, read our recent blog post: GPS Surveying Explained

Drones are the most commonly used tool for land surveyors for photography and mapping and are used for large-scale sites, difficult-to-access sites, and detailed buildings where the traditional survey is unfeasible, such as heritage sites. Drones provide the same functionalities as conventional aircraft but are easier to navigate and much cheaper to use.

Surveying (land surveying) is the measurement and mapping of the landscape using a combination of mathematics, specialised technology, and equipment. 

Surveyors can measure just about anything on the land, in the sky, or on the ocean floor.

Land surveyors assess the surrounding landscape for the purpose of development.

Modern developments, subdivision, and/or building/tunnelling projects are complex and require. 

This complexity combined with the sheer scale of some projects means that accurate surveying data is required to ensure no mistakes are made during construction.

Surveying is essential.

Architects and engineers depend on the measurements that come from surveys such as a topographic survey or 3D laser scanning survey so that they know what they are working with. 

This plays a part in the larger world, as people need buildings and their surroundings to work, live, and enjoy their leisure time in.

Decisions influenced by surveying can be as diverse as deciding the routes of major infrastructure projects to planning a simple house extension.

Comparing survey data over time can help map coastlines, erosion, and climate change. 

It is also important for the conservation of land, buildings and the safety and maintenance of buildings and quarries.

Registered surveyors are the only professionals authorised by the government to legally define boundaries and prepare subdivision plans. 

If you are involved in property development, construction, renovations or subdivision you will likely require the services of an experienced Surveyor. 

The advancement of new technology means surveyors can conduct surveys and report data with increased speed and accuracy. 

Modern surveyors use the latest technology to get their job done every day, such as:

• Total Stations: Electronically calculate distances over hundreds of metres with precision to the centimetre.
• 3D Laser Scanners: Scan areas of land and create digital 3D models.
• Satellite Position Systems (GPS): Measure land features or points anywhere in the world from space.
• GIS Software: Capture and analyse data to create digital maps of areas (a good example of this is Google Maps.)
• Deep Tows: Deep ocean floor survey systems fitted with sonar or cameras which are towed along the ocean floor.
• Drones/UAVs: Drones, or 'Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, are used for aerial photography and mapping. They are much nimbler than a helicopter or other conventional aircraft.

A licensed surveyor will be required when you need to:

• Establish the exact position of your property boundaries.
• Build on or close to a property boundary.
• Accurately document the buildings and improvements on your land.
• Set up a subdivision.
• Create an easement over your property.
• Develop a strata title plan.
• Determine the levels of your land.
• Measure the area of land or space within a building or shop for rental purposes.
• Work on large-scale developments that involve roadworks, tunnelling, and construction.