Permanent survey marks (SSIR 2024)

For all survey's completed in accordance with the Surveying and Spatial Information Regulation 2017, please refer to this page.

A permanent survey mark by definition means a survey mark of the kind referred to in Schedule 4 Surveying and Spatial Information Regulation 2024.

Permanent survey marks must be connected to or placed and connected to in every survey plan in accordance with sections 42,  44 and 55 of the Surveying and Spatial Information Regulation 2024. 

The position of these marks must be shown on the plan of survey by using the symbol shown in Schedule 5 Surveying and Spatial Information Regulation 2024. It should be noted that trigonometrical stations have a unique symbol.

All permanent survey marks relevant to the survey must be shown on the face of the plan and included in a schedule of co-ordinates.

Surveys defining lots and roads

Section 42 Surveying and Spatial Information Regulation 2024 requires that a survey that redefines or creates parcels of land must connect to:

  • For an urban land survey if the parcel being redefined or created abuts one or more roads;

    • If the parcel of land abuts less than 250m of road the survey must connect to at least 2 permanent survey marks along the abutting road, or

    • Connect to at least 2 permanent survey marks along the abutting road for each interval of 250m of road the parcel of land abuts, or

  • At least 2 permanent survey marks

  • If the road abuts the land being surveyed on both sides, only one side of the road needs to be consider in calculating the intervals of 250m

  • For a survey where the purpose means to:

    • Redefine the frontage of a formed road, or

    • Acquire land for a road, or

    • Create, redefine or widen a road,

the survey must connect to survey to at least 2 permanent survey marks for each interval of;

  • For an urban land survey, for each interval of 250m or

  • For a rural land survey, for each interval of 2000m

Further:

  • the survey must place permanent marks if there is no permanent survey mark within:

    • for an urban land survey a distance of 250m of the land surveyed

    • for a rural land survey a distance of 1500m of the land surveyed

  • if a survey creates more than 10 lots, then at least 2 or a quarter of the permanent survey marks placed, or whichever is greater, must be:

    • for an urban land survey a Type 4 permanent mark, and

    • for a rural land survey a Type 4 or 6 permanent mark 

Affecting interests

An affecting interest means an easement, restriction on the use of land, positive covenant or profit à prendre. A survey for the purpose of creating an affecting interest which exceeds 250 metres must have two or more permanent survey marks for each interval of 2,000 metres (urban surveys) or 4,000 metres (rural surveys) see section 42(4) Surveying and Spatial Information Regulation 2024.

A survey for the purpose of creating an affecting interest that does not exceed 250 metres must, if permanent marks are available within 250 metres of the site, connect to two of those marks.

Connecting to permanent survey marks

Section 44 Surveying and Spatial Information Regulation 2024 requires that the permanent survey marks referred to above must each be connected by direct lines to separate corners of the land surveyed.

All permanent survey marks, other than those used exclusively for height purpose in accordance with section 37 Surveying and Spatial Information Regulation 2024 must be proved by closed loop survey and shown on the plan.

New permanent survey marks

New permanent survey marks should meet the requirements of sections 37, 55 and 73 Surveying and Spatial Information Regulation 2024.

If any 2 of the permanent survey marks connected to in an urban survey have accurate AHD values, an AHD value must be determined to a minimum accuracy of Class “B” or Class ”LD” for all permanent survey marks placed. The determined values must be verified by closed height difference between 2 permanent survey marks with accurate AHD values.

Approved schedules

Surveyor-General’s Direction No.7 contains detailed requirements regarding the format and use of approved schedules.

The format of the approved co-ordinate, height difference and height schedules must be adhered to; use of schedules that are not of the same format as those that are approved will attract a requisition upon lodgment of the survey plan.

NOTE: Any approved schedules required to be shown on the survey plan must not make reference to clause numbers of the Surveying and Spatial Information Regulation 2024 within those schedules. 

Co-ordinates schedule

All MGA co-ordinates shown on the plan must be provided in an approved schedule as required by section 67 Surveying and Spatial Information Regulation 2024. The format of the approved schedule is provided in Surveyor General's Direction No.7.

Height difference schedule

If a survey plan is required to show height values, as determined under clauses 13 or 43(2) Surveying and Spatial Information Regulation 2017 for bench marks or permanent survey mark, it must also include an approved height difference schedule as required by section 67 Surveying and Spatial Information Regulation 2024. The format of the approved schedule is provided in  Surveyor General's Direction No.7.

Height schedule

If a plan is required to show height values, as determined under  sections 23, 29, 37 and 43 Surveying and Spatial Information Regulation 2024  for bench marks or permanent survey marks, it must include an approved height schedule as required by section 67 Surveying and Spatial Information Regulation 2024. The format of the approved schedule is provided in Surveyor General's Direction No.7.


All NSW legislation can be accessed at www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/   
 

Publication Date: March 2025