What is Land Surveying and Why is it Important?

Given the vital role Land Surveying played in shaping Australia’s development for several centuries, it is surprising that this discipline isn’t given the respect or appreciation it deserves. This may in part be because many people have no idea what surveying involves or what a surveyor does.
Land surveying is certainly not new and has been used for several thousand years. The oldest records date back thousands of years to the ancient Egyptians who used surveyors annually to divide, mark and re-mark the fertile flood plains around the Nile River.

In Australia , many early explorers such as Burke and Wills possessed surveying experience and skills. These early surveyors defined both urban and rural property boundaries which made land settlement in the various territories possible.

What is Land Surveying?

Land surveying, often known simply as surveying, involves the measuring and mapping of the environment using specialised technology and equipment such as scanners, sophisticated GPS’, drones, and RTS (Robotic Total Stations). It is not only land that is measured in this way; the sky and ocean floor are also mapped.

The measurements, calculations and photographs that are obtained in the field are then analysed and used to create detailed, hyper-accurate maps thanks to sophisticated software. Other software and programmes, such as Auto-cad, can produce plans for on-site developments.
Given surveyors work on a wide range of project types – from mining, construction, road works and land subdivision – they are able to provide accurate measurements and advice to engineers, developers and architects.

The importance of Land Surveying

Land surveying has shaped, defined and helped to create the modern world, including Australia. When the European colonists first arrived in Australia, they understood how crucial this function was. This is borne out by the fact that the office of Surveyor-General and that of the Governor of New South Wales were the very first public offices to be established.

As with any newly settled land, the initial task of the surveyor in Australia was to record the constantly changing frontier between explored and unexplored territory. Part of this was the measuring and recording of the boundaries of areas of land that were either grants or sales. Once this early phase was largely completed it became necessary to move from regional to national areas.

Within each of the colonies that had been established, surveyors were required to constantly map more land. They were vital in defining towns and later cities and regional landmarks. In turn, these sometimes required re-defining. In addition, the extent and shape of the individual colonies also needed defined boundaries. These later became the states of the federation.

The most astounding feature of these first, ground-breaking surveyors is that they lacked the precision equipment that we take for granted today; the equipment and software utilised by contemporary land surveyors would have been beyond their wildest dreams!

What is Land Surveying used for?

Land surveying is the first step in any development project. Surveyors are first onto a site in order to accurately define, map and measure it. They are involved with commercial and residential buildings, recreational structures, infrastructure such as roads and bridges and agricultural sites. They ensure that the proposed development is both possible from a construction point of view and will fit in the landscape.
The data and advice land surveyors provide inform the decisions made by those who will carry out the designing and planning of structures and infrastructure. These individuals or organizations include town planners, geologists, architects and engineers. Without the input of the surveyor these other professionals would be unable to function as they do.

When should land be surveyed?

Many of us are only familiar with a land surveyor when we spot him or her on roadworks or a building site or next to a road. Those who are going to build or renovate a property will need to learn more about their function and use. The reason is that unless you have the land surveyed you cannot continue with the project.

Any project that will involve additional, new or extended structures on an existing or new site must be feasible and meet town planning codes. Even if you simply wish to subdivide land or renovate an existing building you need certain permissions such as a planning permit.
Once you know that what you have in mind is possible, and you have the required plans and permits, they must be lodged with the relevant government department. There, they will be assessed for compliance with the various codes, restrictions, land size provisions, protections (wildlife and / or vegetation) and overlays such as wildfire.

How much does land surveying cost?

Just as surveyors perform a range of functions in diverse industries, the fees associated with their services vary too. The average fee for an uncomplicated task will be in the region of $450 to $500. However, the costs of land surveying can be from $375 to tens of thousands of dollars for larger, more complex projects. There are also factors that can impact cost:

• Physical land features: terrain that is difficult to access and survey (mountains, heavy plant growth, rivers, and so forth)
• Location: the survey site is difficult to reach or is heavily overgrown
• Shape: irregular shaped land is harder to measure than a regular shape such as a rectangle
• Size: the larger an area the more time it will take to complete the survey

While some feel that land survey costs are high, they are in fact a small percentage of the overall project costs and essential for the later development.