Before submitting a subdivision application or breaking ground on a construction project, developers and builders need clear and accurate surveying data.
Missing or incomplete survey data, or surveying that doesn’t meet regulatory standards, leads to redesign, approval delays, construction rework and title issues.
However, despite surveying being an essential control point in every property development, there is not one type of survey. Surveying requirements in Western Australia vary by project. The type, location, land tenure, approval pathway and construction scope all impact when and how surveys are used.
Navigating this landscape is complex. So, to help builders, developers, engineers and landowners get it right from the start, our property development consultants have broken down the core surveying requirements in Western Australia.
Why Surveying Is Essential for Development Projects
Surveying provides measured information about a site’s physical condition. From ground conditions to existing structures and services, topography, title boundaries and planned layout, it provides the data that every other discipline relies on – planners, engineers, architects and builders.
In practical terms, surveying enables:
- Reliable site measurements
- Clear boundary definition
- Informed planning and design decisions
- Detailed and timely development submissions
- Compliance with statutory requirements
- Accurate construction delivery
Essentially, survey data becomes the shared reference point for all stakeholders. Whether it’s a residential, commercial, civil, infrastructure or mining project, that means accuracy matters at every stage.
Step 1: Site and Feature Surveys
Feature and Level Surveys
The first step in meeting surveying requirements in Western Australia is establishing a clear picture of the site.
Feature and level surveys capture:
- Existing terrain and contours
- Structures and built elements (retaining walls, fences, roads, kerbs)
- Drainage behaviour
- Services and constraints
This directly informs how a site can be developed.
For developers working with property development consultants, the feature survey is often one of the first documents shared between the surveyor, planner, architect, engineer and builder. It removes assumptions and allows constraints to be resolved before they become design issues.
Step 2: Boundary and Cadastral Surveys
Boundary information is separate from a general site survey. A feature survey may show fences and visible occupation, but fences do not always align with legal title boundaries.
Only a Licensed Surveyor can legally re-establish or define property boundaries. There are two main approaches here:
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Boundary Re-Establishment Surveys
Boundary re-establishment surveys (also called ‘boundary identification surveys’ or ‘re-pegs’) confirm the legal position of existing property boundaries. They’re used for:
- Building fences and retaining walls
- Resolving encroachment issues
- Confirming property extents
- Verifying survey marks (pegs)
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Licensed Cadastral Surveys
Where there is no existing boundary in place or the boundaries need to change, surveyors perform a cadastral survey. These are used for:
- Subdivision
- New lot creation
- Title definition and transfer
- Development approvals
Cadastral survey work must be completed by a licensed surveyor.
Step 3: Surveying for Planning and Development Approvals
Surveying requirements in Western Australia are often most visible during the planning and approval stage.
Planning authorities like Landgate and the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) rely on accurate survey information when assessing development applications and subdivision proposals. Poor-quality data leads to RFIs, redesign and approval delays.
For developers, this is where survey quality directly impacts project planning.
The earlier developers have accurate and compliant survey data, the easier it is to prepare subdivision plans and development applications.
Step 4: Construction Surveys
Once a project moves into delivery, surveying moves from a planning support role to actively progressing construction delivery.
Construction Set-Out
Construction set-out translates approved designs into on-ground marks:
- Building corners
- Gridlines
- Footings
- Slabs
- Roads
- Kerbs
- Drainage infrastructure
- Services
- Retaining walls
- Lot boundaries
- Civil works and earthworks
This prevents builders and contractors from guesstimating the correct location or required levels.
Property development consultants working on larger projects may establish a survey control network. This is a system of fixed reference points with precise known coordinates, and it provides consistency in complex projects.
Step 5: Compliance and As-Built Surveys
Surveying doesn’t stop once construction starts. As-built and compliance surveys confirm that what has been constructed matches approved plans and required tolerances.
As-Built Verification
As-built surveys are the ‘final working draft’ of a construction project. They show what was actually delivered – from drainage systems, roads and pavements to building position, floor levels, retaining walls, services and utilities.
As-built surveys support handover and final documentation, giving owners and asset managers accurate records for future reference.
Compliance Surveys
Compliance surveys work with as-built surveys to show that the final construction meets regulatory requirements. They focus on verification for approvals and certification.
Both types are essential to complete a project. Discrepancies or incomplete data at this stage will delay approval and handover.
Common Surveying Challenges in WA
Surveying requirements in Western Australia can be affected by site conditions, access and regulatory hurdles.
- Site conditions and variability: Ground conditions, drainage and legacy services can vary significantly, even within the same region.
- Regulatory requirements: Strict compliance standards apply to cadastral and compliance surveys.
- Coordination across disciplines: Surveying must integrate with design and construction teams to streamline the project.
- Accuracy across large or complex sites: Maintaining consistent, high-quality data across all stages of larger developments.
Depending on the site and location, there may also be practical challenges that require specific surveying expertise:
- Remote and regional sites may require additional planning for mobilisation, safety, control networks, weather and access
- Urban redevelopment sites often involve existing services, tight boundaries, neighbouring structures and limited working areas.
- Large civil or infrastructure projects might require repeated set-out, progress measurement and conformance reporting.
How Silverstone Supports Surveying Across WA
Silverstone’s property division is known for navigating surveying challenges in a complex landscape. We support developers, builders, planners and landowners, providing confidence across every stage of the project.
End-to-End Capability
From site surveys through to compliance documentation, we support every stage of the project lifecycle.
Licensed Surveying Expertise
Our team provides cadastral, engineering and construction surveying aligned with WA regulatory requirements.
Advanced Technology
We utilise GNSS, total stations and drone surveying to deliver accurate, efficient data capture, no matter the site conditions.
Integrated Delivery
Our surveyors coordinate with design, engineering and construction teams to decrease risk and improve project outcomes. One partner, accountable from initial data capture through to final certification.
Getting Surveying Right from Day One
Meeting surveying requirements in Western Australia is about establishing accurate data early and maintaining control through every stage of the project.
For developers, builders and landowners, this means:
- Engaging expert surveyors early
- Clarifying survey scope to align with design and approvals
- Integrating surveying into project delivery
At Silverstone, we provide the data, control and compliance assurance needed to deliver projects with confidence.
Contact our team to discuss the survey requirements for your next project.
