Surveying is a very old science
The ancient Egyptians and Aztecs used surveying when building the great pyramids, and particularly to accurately orient these pyramids with the North-South directions.
The Romans used surveying with importance as they expanded their empire across Europe.
Surveying is critically important
We live on a spherical planet partly covered by land and water. Surveying allows us to accurately describe land areas and this allows us to own different land areas. It also allows us to describe different features on this land such as buildings, roads and fences.
Early surveys included identifying physical objects such as a tree or a rock. Early surveys measured distance with physical survey chains that consisted of 100 links and were 66 feet or 20.117 m long. Today satellites are used extensively to accurately identify spatial locations. And often modern surveys need to reference the old physical objects such as trees as well as satellite data.
Every cadastral survey provides a survey plan and can also include field notes. In Queensland, these survey plans and field notes are held by Titles Queensland (https://www.titlesqld.com.au/) and the relevant State Government department. A surveyor will obtain the previous survey plans from Titles Queensland before they start work. And the surveyor will submit the updated survey plan back to Titles Queensland.
A Survey means assurance
If you are erecting a building or a fence or if you are performing civil works, a survey can provide you with the assurance that the building or the fence is in the right location and that the civil engineering contractor has completed the works as required.
If a building requires certification of the correct setting out of a building and that it is built in the correct location, only a registered cadastral surveyor can complete this.
It is important that the survey is independent of the builder or civil contractor.
How is a Survey undertaken?
No state in Australia currently has a coordinated cadastral database – this means that we can’t give coordinates for lot corners. It is possible to view approximate boundary locations from QLD Globe (https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/), however caution must be used as these are indicative only and can be inaccurate – in some cases 100’s of metres.
Boundaries are determined using the evidence of previous surveys. Regularly we need to determine a full section (block bounded by roads) and work from the whole of the section back to the individual lot. For large rural properties, this means traversing across neighbouring properties to ensure no one is disadvantaged by the survey unequally.
What is a Cadastral Surveyor
(and how is this different to an ordinary Surveyor)?
A cadastral surveyor has the skill and knowledge to interpret and advise on the location of boundaries and if there are any rights or restrictions relating to the property.
The information and measurements taken by the cadastral surveyor are recorded on a survey plan which the surveyor is required to lodge with the relevant government agency. (Relevant State Department)
Registered Surveyors in Queensland have shown competency recognised by the Surveyors Board of Queensland.
An engineering surveyor is not required by legislation to be registered with the Surveyors Board of Queensland. However, many engineering surveyors seek an engineering endorsement and registration with the Board as a sign of their professionalism.
