Surveying Specialisations
There are many specialisations within Surveying you can choose from, depending on your interests and whether you want to work in the city, country or coastal areas.
Land Surveying
Land (Cadastral) Surveyors determine and advise on property boundaries when land is subdivided, bought or sold. Cadastral Surveyors need to hold a special license as their findings determine the status of land ownership.
The Seabank Estate is a residential subdivision located in Barwon Heads. The challenge of this project was to create a site that is a sustainable living environment. Prior to the commencement of the project, the site did not have an outfall for drainage which posed a threat to the conservation of wildlife and vegetation.
Surveyors assisted in creating an open space for storm water retardation and as a holding area for the water to be pumped down to the Barwon Heads Golf Course, where water is stored in a reservoir and used for irrigation purposes.
Surveyors were a key element in the Eureka Tower project. Their skills and expertise were required in the initial land survey of the site, identifying title boundaries and location of features on and adjacent to the site. Surveyors were able to work in stages, so that the lower levels in the tower could be occupied while the upper levels were being constructed. With multi-usage areas in the tower being occupied by retail, residential apartments and a car park, it was a challenge for Surveyors working on the project to ensure all could operate effectively without hindrance to each other.
Engineering
New freeway systems, bridges and high-rise buildings all need precise planning. Engineering Surveyors ensure they are built in the exact location to exact specifications.
Mining
Mining Surveyors design and measure mines, tunnels and other underground works. They are also integral in the exploration for new resources. Mining Surveyors are generally paid more due to the remote location of their work.
Hydrographic
Hydrographic Surveyors map the sea floor and other waterways. These Surveyors work in coastal areas and overseas.
Environmental Projects
Surveyors are integral to sustainable development and environmental projects as they measure the change in geographic information.
Geodesy
Geodesy is a science of the measurement and mapping of the earth’s surfaces. Surveyors in this field track rising sea levels, measure earthquakes and continental drifts using instruments like GPS, laser technology and electronic distance devices to measure global parameters and locate positions accurately on the earth’s surface for global mapping, research and natural disaster prevention studies.
Topographic
Topographic Surveyors measure elevation points on land and the environment. Topography is related to cartography and mapping, which involves plotting points as contours of the earth’s surface including; valleys, rivers and lakes on a map by making field measurements and taking aerial photographs to develop maps.
Remote Sensing
Surveyors monitor changes on the earth’s surface using satellites and other digital technologies to monitor for trends in the environment. The data collected by Surveyors are then used for research and emerging environmental studies. Surveyors in this field are involved in creating maps for Google Earth and Street View technologies.
GIS
Geographic information systems are used widely for planning decisions. A Surveyor in this field is involved in the visualisation, design and development of data content for online and mobile phone mapping and navigation. In-car navigation systems use maps which is provided by the work of Surveyors.
Archaeology
Surveyors work with archaeologists to define the parameters of an archaeological search area and mapping out locations to identify points to excavate for objects, artifacts, human remains and cultural heritage land.
Forensics
Surveyors are used to provide information for special investigations and crime scenes.
Eg. During the investigation into the ‘’backpacker murders’’ in the NSW southern highlands, Surveyors were called to the Belangelo State Forest after human remains were found and were invaluable to convicting Ivan Milat.