A
Accuracy
How close a measurement is to the true or accepted value.
Aerial Survey
A survey conducted using drones or aircraft to capture top-down imagery and terrain data.
Angle of Elevation
The angle measured upwards from the horizontal to a point.
Azimuth
A horizontal angle measured clockwise from a reference direction, usually north.
B
Bearing
A direction between two points, given in degrees from a reference meridian.
Benchmark
A fixed reference point of known elevation used in levelling surveys.
Boundary Line Adjustment
A legal shift of property boundaries between neighbouring lots.
Boundary Peg
A physical marker placed by a surveyor to identify legal boundary corners.
Building Setout
A survey to mark building positions on-site before construction begins.
C
Cartography
The art and science of making maps.
Chainage
The distance along a curved or straight line, typically used in road and infrastructure surveys.
Construction Setout
Marking the location of structures, services or features according to design plans.
Coordinate System
A mathematical grid used to define a location (e.g. MGA, UTM).
Covenant
A legal restriction or obligation recorded on a land title.
D
Datum
A base reference level or point from which elevation or position is measured (usually AHD).
Detail and Contour Survey
A comprehensive site survey showing both man-made features and land contours.
Digital Terrain Model (DTM)
A 3D representation of the earth’s surface used in planning and engineering.
E
Easement
A registered right allowing limited use of part of someone else’s land (e.g. drainage, access).
Elevation
The vertical height of a point above a standard reference such as the Australian Height Datum.
Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM)
A method using lasers or infrared to measure distances accurately.
Encroachment
When a structure intrudes across the legal boundary into adjoining land.
F
Feature Survey
Shows physical features like trees, buildings, fences and utilities on a site.
Final Identification Survey
Confirms a new structure is built within the correct boundary limits.
Flood Level Survey
Identifies the flood risk of a property based on terrain and drainage levels.
Formwork Setout
Marks edges for formwork before a slab is poured.
G
Geodetic Surveying
A type of surveying that accounts for the Earth’s curvature, used over large areas.
GIS (Geographic Information System)
A digital system for capturing and analysing geographic data.
GNSS
Satellite-based systems (like GPS) used to capture highly accurate positioning data.
Grid Line
A reference line used on construction plans to guide layout.
H
Height Datum
A reference height used for elevation measurements, typically the AHD.
Horizontal Control
Fixed points used to maintain spatial accuracy during a survey.
Hydrographic Survey
A survey of rivers, lakes or coastal areas to map depths and underwater features.
I
Identification Survey
Legally identifies the boundaries and any improvements (buildings, fences) on a lot.
Instrument of Plan
A legal document that registers easements or restrictions (e.g. Section 88B Instrument).
Interference Survey
Used to detect potential clashes between proposed and existing infrastructure.
Intersection Method
A triangulation technique to calculate the location of a distant point.
J
Joint Ownership
When two or more parties share legal ownership of a land title.
Junction Point
A meeting point of two or more boundary lines.
K
Kerb Setout
A type of construction survey marking kerb and gutter positions.
Kilometre Post (KP)
A linear reference point used in long-distance projects (e.g. roads, pipelines).
L
Land Subdivision
The process of dividing one parcel of land into two or more lots.
Land Title
A registered legal record of land ownership and its restrictions.
Laser Scanning
Capturing detailed 3D surface data using laser beams.
Levelling
Measuring vertical differences between points on the ground.
Licensed Surveyor
A qualified professional legally authorised to conduct cadastral surveys in NSW.
Line of Sight
An unobstructed visual path between two survey points.
M
Mark-Out
Physical markings (like pegs or paint) used to show setout points on-site.
Mean Sea Level (MSL)
The average sea level, used as a height reference.
Metes and Bounds
An older method of describing boundaries using physical features and compass directions.
Monument
A durable physical marker used to indicate a survey point.
N
Non-Title Boundary
A boundary not formally recorded on the title but marked by fencing or occupation.
NSW LRS
New South Wales Land Registry Services, responsible for managing land titles and survey plans.
O
Offset
A perpendicular measurement from a known line to locate features.
Orthometric Height
A height measured above mean sea level.
P
Parcel
A legally defined piece of land shown on a title or plan.
Peg Out Survey
A construction survey that marks the location of features using physical pegs.
Photogrammetry
The use of aerial photos or drone imagery to extract measurements and map features.
Plan of Subdivision
A registered plan showing how land is legally divided into lots.
Q
Qualified Surveyor
A surveyor who meets licensing and registration requirements in NSW.
Quadrant Bearing
A compass-based system dividing directions into NE, SE, SW, and NW sectors.
R
Ranging Rod
A coloured pole used as a visual reference point in fieldwork.
Redefinition Survey
Used to relocate or redefine lot boundaries, often due to title inconsistencies.
Reference Mark
A permanent point used to re-establish original survey locations.
S
Section 88B Instrument
A legal document registering easements and restrictions on land in NSW.
Section 149 Certificate
A planning certificate issued by councils that outlines zoning and restrictions.
Setout Survey
Marks out positions for structures, fences, and features before construction.
Slab Setout
Precisely marks the slab’s perimeter and load-bearing points before concrete pour.
Strata Plan
A plan showing how a building is divided into units, lots and common property.
Subdivision Survey
A legal survey needed to create new lots from an existing parcel.
T
Title Boundary
The legally defined boundary of a parcel of land, as recorded in the title.
Topographic Survey
Captures land contours, slope and features. Often used in planning and earthworks.
Torrens Title
The standard title system in NSW where ownership is recorded and guaranteed by the state.
Total Station
A modern survey tool combining angle and distance measurements, often with GPS.
U
Underground Services Survey
Locates pipes, cables, and utilities underground to avoid damage during excavation.
Undulation
The vertical distance between the geoid and ellipsoid used in GPS elevation adjustments.
V
Vertical Angle
An angle measured above or below the horizontal line.
Vertical Control
A network of benchmarks and height references used to maintain survey accuracy.
W
WAE Survey (Work As Executed)
A survey showing what was actually built, compared with original plans.
Wayleave
A legal right of access for infrastructure or service providers across private land.
X
XYZ Coordinates
A three-dimensional system used to describe a location’s exact position in space.
