Questions and Answers

This page is dedicated to providing students and candidates with answers to commonly asked questions. These questions have also been printed in past editions of the Institution of Surveyors NSW monthly magazine, "Azimuth".

Cadastral

• Which plans lodged to be registered do not require a subdivision certificate issued?
• I am doing a survey of a lot with a DP number in the range of numbers from 750001 to 760000, what type of plan do these numbers indicate?
• What is a parish map and where can I find them?
• What is a party wall and how are easements created over it?
• Should I show and report on proposed easements that are not noted on title in an identification report?
• What is the process for a road closure application?

Cadastral - Community Title

• I am preparing a road widening plan that affects a community title scheme, is it possible to acquire land and what plans do I need to prepare?
• Under what circumstances can a community subdivision not be registered?

Cadastral - Deposited Plans

• How are tracks in use shown on plans?
• What are the requirements for the preparation of Plans for the lease of land?
• What are the requirements for the preparation of Plans for Survey Information Only?

Cadastral - Old System, Limited & Qualified Title

• What does qualified and limited Torrens Title mean?
• What is adverse possession and when can it be claimed?
• What is limited title and how can the limitation be removed?
• What is qualified title and how can the qualified caution be removed?
• Should I get consent from adjoining owners to the definition of a boundary when the subject and/or the adjoining lot are old system land (including qualified and limited)?

Cadastral - Strata Plans

• Can an easement, profit à prendre, restriction on the use of land and/or positive covenant be created using a strata plan?
• Can a strata plan still be registered if there is an encroachment (wall or structural feature) onto a public space or private property?
• With Strata Plans what should be considered to be included and excluded from common property?
• In strata schemes, what do options A, B & C in regards keeping animals involve?
• When is a plan of survey required to be lodged prior to the registration of a strata plan?

Cadastral - Water Boundaries

• If your land is bounded by a non-tidal river, creek or stream when can you claim to the centre of the river, creek or stream, (i.e. using the ad medium filum aquae rule)?
• How do I show water boundaries on a plan?
• What is the definition of a bank when surveying a non-tidal river or stream?

Engineering

• What factors should I be considering when undertaking a road design?
• What are the steps in determining the size of a drainage culvert?
• How do I design a kerb return?
• What references would be helpful when undertaking a drainage design for the engineering component of registration?

Professional Development

• Now that I have achieved my certificate of competency, how do I get placed on the register of surveyors and recognised by the Department of Lands for the submission of plans?
• What is the Survey Services Portal and how do I get access to it?

Town Planning

• What are Exempt and Complying Development?
• What is the assessment period for a development application and when can council stop and start the assessment ‘clock’?
• When does a development consent lapse and what steps can I take to make sure it doesn't lapse?
• What matters should be considered by a consent authority when determining a development application?
• What is integrated development?
• When can an appeal to the Land and Environment Court be made?
• What is the role of an accredited certifier and what is the process in becoming an accredited certifier?
• When and how can a Development Consent be modified?