Role of a Licensed Surveyor
Licensed land surveyors play a pivotal role in the use and development of land across the state and country. They are experts on the rights associated with land use and development, combining their technical knowledge with a thorough understanding of the legal framework which governs land use and rights.
Victorian land surveying services that can only be undertaken by a Licensed Surveyor:
Title Consolidation
Adverse Possession and Title Amendment Application Surveys
Removal, Variation and Creation of Easements/Restrictions/Covenants
Land surveyors are professional experts who use specialised measurement instruments and mathematics to accurately measure and map our surrounding environment. This can include any natural or man-made features and structures that exist on land, underground, or under the sea.
Land surveyors also have an intimate understanding of the legislation and rules relating to the ownership, transfer, use and development of land and local planning laws which govern land ownership as well as what can and can’t be done with land.
One of a land surveyor’s main roles is to accurately and correctly determine the legal boundaries of a given parcel of land. This may differ from any physical boundaries of the parcel, for example, existing fencing, which in a surprising number of cases does not lie on the true boundary of the land parcel.
Licensed Land Surveyors uphold the integrity of the cadastre
ensuring that the interests of the Community are always paramount
This is usually done by way of a ‘title re-establishment’ or ‘title boundary survey’ which involves determining the exact dimensions of the land using a combination of historical information relating to how the parcel was initially created or set aside, and modern technology to precisely determine the physical position of features or monuments, in relation to each other.
Land surveyors also provide professional advice on the legal aspects of land ownership and development, and this advice, along with the plans and maps they produce, guides the work of many other consultants including architects, builders and engineers.
Our society depends heavily on land surveying to ensure there is order and consistency in our physical environment. Without the work of land surveyors, we would not be able to build communities and cities and could not have any confidence in our legal ownership of land, which underpins the property market and our economic system. We would not know where to build structures and critical infrastructure, and would not know who owns which land and the extents of that land. The work of a licensed land surveyor not only affects every member of society in some way, but future generations too.
The work that land surveyors do is an essential part of the process for any project involving the ‘development’ of land, whether that be a simple extension of an existing dwelling, a subdivision of a lot into two or more lots, a claim for adverse possession of land, or the creation or removal of easements and other legal rights associated with land use.
A good licensed land surveyor can prevent major legal and financial issues associated with incorrect or unlawful land development but can also assist you to maximise the value of property or land you own.
“Trust our team to deliver your project on time and on budget”
Andrew Humphries - Licensed Surveyor
If you own or intend on purchasing land or property, with the goal of developing or making improvements to the land or property, you will likely need to engage a licensed land surveyor at various stages of the process.
For example, if you are looking to undertake renovations and or an extension which require a planning permit, you will need a licensed land surveyor to survey the property and create a detailed plan which shows all of the existing features in and around the land including street detail, fencing, dwellings, vegetation, utilities and surrounding buildings. This high level of detail is required to inform the design of the new development or improvement and ensure that it is compliant with any relevant laws and planning regulations.
If you intend to subdivide land into two or more lots, you will also need a licensed land surveyor to survey the existing lot, define/mark the boundaries of the new lots being created and to prepare and submit a plan of subdivision as part of an application to subdivide land.
A licensed land surveyor will also work closely with other consultants involved in a project involving land development, including your architect or designer, to ensure that the development runs smoothly and in accordance with any planning or legislative requirements that may be applicable.
In summary, the services of a licensed land surveyor will be essential to anyone who owns or develops (or plans to own or develop) a parcel of land, to ensure that the risk of financial and/or legal issues is adequately mitigated, and that informed decisions are made about the use and development of the land.
Humphries Land Surveying is a professional team which provides a full suite of land surveying services for a wide range of projects across Victoria. Get in touch with our friendly team today to discuss your land surveying needs or for any general enquiries.
