Cadastral survey practice, field procedures and data management
Field workflow
A cadastral survey starts with reconnaissance: obtain the title, CSD, plans and field books; search for marks; assess access and hazards. Control is established or checked, then boundary marks are placed or reinstated, witness marks recorded, and observations taken. Field notes must be contemporaneous and legible; digital data must be backed up.
CSD preparation and QA
The CSD is prepared in Landonline with graphics, coordinates, vectors, mark records and a survey report. Quality assurance means an independent check of the boundary definition, mark provenance, areas and compliance with the rules. The licensed surveyor certifies the CSD, so certification must be based on personal review, not trust in software.
Worked example
Before lodging a subdivision CSD, the surveyor checks that every new corner has a mark or an approved exemption, that each mark has a condition and provenance record, and that the areas reconcile with the approved scheme plan. A second surveyor reviews the vectors and the report. The CSD is then certified and lodged.
Traps
Skipping the mark search; failing to record witness marks; lodging a CSD with unexplained coordinate changes; using software defaults as QA; and not retaining field records for the required period.