Cadastral surveyors play a crucial role in Queensland’s land management and development processes. Their expertise lies in accurately defining, measuring, and mapping land boundaries, which ensures the proper allocation of land ownership, rights, and responsibilities. These professionals are integral to maintaining a well-organized and efficient land tenure system, promoting orderly urban development, and supporting sustainable land use practices across the state.
One of the primary functions of cadastral surveyors in Queensland is to establish and re-establish property boundaries. Through meticulous fieldwork and advanced surveying technologies, they determine the precise location and dimensions of these boundaries. This is essential for preventing disputes between neighbors over encroachments or unclear property lines. Accurate boundary information is also critical for legal transactions involving property, such as buying, selling, or leasing land.
Cadastral surveyors also contribute significantly to urban planning and development in Queensland. They provide vital data for creating subdivision plans, which involve dividing larger parcels of land into smaller lots for residential, commercial, or industrial use. By ensuring that these subdivisions adhere to zoning regulations and property laws, cadastral surveyors help shape the growth and structure of cities and towns in a systematic and organized manner.
Identification Survey
An identification survey in Queensland involves a licensed cadastral surveyor assessing and documenting property boundaries, structures, and improvements. This survey establishes accurate spatial information for legal and property purposes, aiding in property transactions, boundary dispute resolution, and development planning. The surveyor creates a detailed plan, known as an Identification Survey Plan (ISP), outlining the property’s physical features and its relationship to neighbouring parcels. This essential process ensures clarity and transparency in property ownership and rights, contributing to a well-regulated and organized land tenure system in Queensland.
Boundary Realignment
A boundary realignment is an adjustment of the title boundaries that does not increase the number of existing lots. In many cases a boundary realignment is carried out to resolve encroachment issues between adjoining owners. The boundary in question can be realigned to ensure that the encroachment is contained wholly within the lot that the structure is erected on.
You may have property that is comprised of two or more titles where a house straddles the common boundary. A realignment can move the boundary from its current location closer to the side boundary to create a road frontage lot and a rear access lot. Another example is if two adjoining owners wish to realign a common boundary for the purposes of increasing or decreasing their title area. Land is then purchased/transferred between the two owners.
Boundary Identification Plan
An Identification Survey is performed by a Cadastral Surveyor or a registered person under the supervision of the Cadastral Surveyor, to re-establish the existing title boundaries.
In many cases landowners cannot find the pegs that define their boundaries. This can be due to the original pegs being disturbed during construction, the age of the pegs or natural causes. Before a new fence is constructed it is advisable that an Identification Survey is undertaken to ensure the correct positioning of the fence and avoid conflict with adjoining owners
When erecting new structures on land an Identification Survey and remarking of the boundaries will ensure that the improvements are contained within the title boundaries. Identification Surveys are often used to settle boundary disputes between neighbours. In certain cases, a subsequent realignment survey is recommended.
When a Cadastral Surveyor performs an Identification Survey any improvements that are on or near the boundary are located and recorded. If encroachments are found then landowners are notified of this. At the completion of the field work the surveyor prepares an Identification Survey Plan which is given to the client. A copy of this plan is also forwarded to the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy.
Easement
An easement is a right whereby an owner of land allows another owner rights over part of the land in a particular manner. The land encumbered by the easement is known as the “burdened lot” or “servient tenement”. The land advantaged by the easement is known as the “benefited lot” or “dominant lot”.
The easement is recorded on the title and remains within the lot. All future owners of the burdened lot are bound by the easement. However an easement can be surrendered or extinguished with the consent of both parties. Generally, for an easement to exist there must be a benefited and a burdened lot. The exception to this is the case of an ‘easement in gross’ (where there is a burdened lot only) to serve the purposes of local government or a government instrumentality.
An easement survey can only be undertaken by a Cadastral Surveyor or person under the supervision of a Cadastral Surveyor. The extents of the easement are defined and pegged on the ground. This survey is then documented by way of an Easement Survey Plan that complies with the requirements of the Cadastral Survey Requirements and the Registrar of Titles Directions.
Lease Survey
In broad terms a Lease Survey may be required to establish a defined area in either land or a building
If the lease is for part of land then a field survey by a Cadastral Surveyor or person under the supervision of a Cadastral Surveyor, is required to define the extents of the lease on the ground. This survey is then documented by way of a Lease Survey Plan that complies with the requirements of the Cadastral Survey Requirements and the Registrar of Titles Directions. Depending on the term of the lease local government approval may be required.
If the lease is for part of a building and contains no land content then a field survey can be undertaken and a Lease Sketch Plan can be prepared. This work must be carried out by a Cadastral Surveyor or person under the supervision of a Cadastral Surveyor. This Lease Sketch Plan is included in the lease document which is lodged and registered in the Titles Registry. These sketch plans are typically prepared for commercial premises, industrial complexes and shopping centres.