Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Surveyor do?
Surveyors carry out the necessary design, measurements, calculations, plan and document presentation involved in a particular survey.
What sort of Survey do I need?
Consulting Surveyors offer many services and are very experienced so they will most likely be able to determine your needs.
It is also likely that you have been directed to use the services of a Surveyor by a professional such as a Solicitor or Architect and they would direct you as to your requirements.
How do I find the right Surveyor?
You may wish to engage a Surveyor who operates in your geographic area or you can select a surveyor according to the particular service that they provide.
You'll find our handy Find a Surveyor search useful for finding Surveyors in Victoria.
How do I find out if a Surveyor is licensed?
The Surveyors Registration Board of Victoria has a published register of current licensed Surveyors and this can be accessed via www.surveyorsboard.vic.gov.au. Most CSV members are licensed surveyors.
How long will it take for my land to be Surveyed?
No two surveys are the same with numerous factors considered when determining time frames. Where time frames are important it is recommended you notify your consulting surveyor of this during the fee preparation phase.
If I am in a dispute with a Surveyor who can I contact?
The Surveyors Registration Board of Victoria has developed methods to deal with disputes relating to professional and ethical matters; however the CSV is prepared to have preliminary discussions in the event of a dispute regarding the conduct of a member firm.
What is CSV?
CSV (Consulting Surveyors Victoria) is a body representing the majority of active Survey Firms in Victoria, operating as a collective voice and professional organisation. Among the functions and aims of the CSV is the desire to see professional survey services carried out to the highest standards.
Who are CSV's Members?
Members of CSV are private practicing firms operating in Victoria who have made a commitment to providing the highes
What is a Title Re-establishment Survey?
A Title Re-establishment survey is a survey that confirms or redefines the boundaries of a property and the relationship to existing fencing and other structures near those boundaries. It is in essence the determination of the boundaries of a property as they were intended when the property was first created. This type of survey is usually undertaken to confirm the extents of a property perhaps as part of a purchase, or to support any building on or redevelopment of the property.
What is an Application to Amend Title?
Sometimes re-establishment surveys disclose issues in the property boundaries or those adjacent to the property which may mean that a Title to a property needs to be amended. When this occurs it may be necessary to apply to Land Use Victoria for confirmation of the adopted boundaries for a property, to rectify boundary dimensions to match longstanding occupation or to claim additional land that is occupied but not contained within the ownership of the property. Application surveys may include those for Adverse Possession claims, Amendment of Title, Conversion surveys from General Law land to under the operation of current legislation or Boundary plans which seek confirmation of boundaries that may differ from registered plans.
What is Adverse Possession?
A common application survey is one in support of an adverse possession claim. Adverse possession is a legal rule that enables an application to amend or gain title to land that has been continuously and exclusively enclosed and occupied by someone but is contained within the ownership of someone else. Proof of a minimum of 15 years uninterrupted and exclusive possession of the land is required. The application is made by a solicitor but requires extensive re-establishment survey and documentation to support the application.
What is Consolidation of Titles?
Consolidation of Titles is where land contained in two or more adjacent titles is combined into a single
title.
What is a Building Subdivision?
Where a subdivision contains parcels that are defined by a built structure, it is called a building subdivision. Subdivisions of this type generally create lots that are residential – townhouses or apartments, retail lots, offices or warehouses. Where the lots in these subdivisions have shared services or facilities, there is often the requirement for an owners corporation to be created to manage these on behalf of the member lots. Some building subdivisions can have multiple owners corporations to look after different functions of the building where not all lots have rights to use or ability to access those functions.
What are Floor Area Surveys?
To help parties establish accurate and consistent measurements of tenancies or buildings in accordance with Property Council Australia (PCA) guidelines.
What are Engineering Surveys?
Engineering surveying is generally associated with the design and construction of civil infrastructure projects. These may include high-rise buildings, road freeway systems (including bridges and tunnels), airports, rail construction, treatment plants etc. Engineering surveyors ensure these projects are built in accordance with the design criteria with regards to location, size and shape.
Consulting engineering surveyors are involved in activities such as precise survey set out, coordination of survey control, monitoring and as-built survey of design elements including services, structures and pavements. They can undertake detailed 3D calculations for earthwork volumes, machine guidance and complex concrete and steel structures to help with construction and project program of works.
What are Feature and Level Surveys?
A feature and level survey provides crucial information about existing conditions for a specific area. These surveys encompass all essential information and may include buildings, structures, trees, changes in level, above-ground services, roads, footpaths and any other significant elements specific to the area of interest.
By capturing these details, an accurate representation of the area of interest can be shown in plan or Digital Format such as CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) form.
This data may provide details to allow professionals such as designers, engineers, planners, and authorities the necessary information to make an inform decision.
What are As Constructed/As Built Surveys?
Accurately measuring the built environment, whether it be buildings, services, streetscapes or roads, so it can be replicated in the digital space.
Asset recording including A-SPEC, R-SPEC, D-SPEC etc
A-SPEC is the requirement to supply digital data relating to ‘As Constructed’ infrastructure assets for projects and subdivisions and is generally required by Councils to satisfy practical completion or statement of compliance. There are other requirements also which are defined as R-Spec (assets within the road reserve), D-Spec (drainage infrastructure) and O-Spec (assets within open spaces)
What does Court Representation mean?
Licensed Surveyors provide expert witness services relating to boundary definition, planning matters, land status and development.
What are Spatial Data Systems?
Spatial data systems refer to any type of system that stores information that either directly or indirectly contains a location based, or spatial, reference. Surveyors, amongst others, are constantly creating & storing information about the land on which we live which is ultimately used by the entire community. Details about land ownership, land valuation, land usage, topography and services are just a few examples of the vast amount of spatial information. Spatial Data Systems are ever evolving. Not only do they include spatial data but often associated aspatial data is linked to the visual representation. These systems include but are not limited to, Geographic Information Systems, Building Information Modelling (BIM), virtual representations such as Digital Twins and the creation and storage of survey and administrative information through systems such as E-Plan.