A common question posed to Surveyors is the old classic “Can my land be subdivided?” Often the answer to this question is relatively simple; however there are many factors which must be considered. The factors to be considered when looking to subdivide land include, but of course are not limited to the following items. [...]

In order to own land in New South Wales, the details of the land and the legal owner are noted on a Register maintained by Land Registry Services NSW. The most secure form of land title is a title issued under the Torrens title system. The Torrens title system is based on a single [...]

A Community Plan is a subdivision of a parcel of Real Property land into three or more separate lots. The first lot of the Community Scheme, Lot 1, is the Association Property. This is shared property between the other lots in the scheme and is similar to Common Property in a Strata Scheme. Association [...]

Coping skills Working in remote regions of NSW often involves solving problems. The best problems, of course, are the ones that aren’t yours! It’s much easier to solve somebody else's problems, especially when the solution falls into your area of expertise. The worst problems are your own, especially when the solution is beyond your [...]

The Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, as enacted in 2017, requires proposed development to be rigorously assessed in relation to potential impacts on biodiversity. Part 6 of the Act sets out requirements for a Biodiversity Offset Scheme, which is intended to maintain sustainable levels of flora and fauna by calculating the impact of a development [...]

When planning any kind of development, dealing with local Council can be a daunting and confusing experience. Communicating to the Council officers the details of your proposal is not always easy. So what is the process for obtaining development consent? When starting the planning for a development that requires approval, you should ensure that [...]

Surveyors are often called in to resolve disputes between neighbours in regard to dividing fences. A dividing fence can be a structure of almost any material that separates the lands of adjoining owners. A dividing fence does not include a retaining wall or the wall of a building. Where should the fence go? [...]

An easement is an acquired legal right over land benefiting the owner of other land or an Authority such as Council or a service provider. The site of an easement must be defined in a Deposited Plan or a plan annexed to a Real Property Dealing. Another type of easement is a Restriction on [...]

Federal Capital Sites – a case of “What if…” In 1900, the search began for the site of the new Federal capital city. The newly drawn up Constitution set out rules for the Federal capital site requiring that any such site must be located approximately midway between Sydney and Melbourne and not within 100 [...]

Geomorphology is a study of how land changes over time. Fluvial Geomorphology is a study of how watercourses change over time. This blog details work undertaken by Compass Consulting Surveyors in preparing a Geomorphic Assessment of a stretch of the Macquarie River at Montefiores (Wellington), NSW. In 2013, Compass Consulting Surveyors were engaged by [...]