Plan orientation

Survey control and SCIMS

Current information on survey control can only be obtained from the Survey Control Information Management System (SCIMS).

SCIMS, is a computer database of the State Survey Control network. The system identifies established marks within the vicinity of a proposed survey including both State Survey Marks (SSMs) and Permanent Marks (PMs).

Note  In some instances SCIMS shows SSM's as SS's. This is due to an error in the data entry fields within SCIMS. In these instances the new plan should identify the permanent mark as "SSM....." however if "SS" is used it will not attract a requisition. 

Enquiries regarding information available through SCIMS, deferment of placing marks and exemptions to requirements should be directed to the:

Cadastral Management Unit (Bathurst)
Cadastral Integrity Group LPI
PO Box 143
Bathurst NSW 2795

T:61 2 6332 8224  F:61 2 6332 8230  E:cmu@lands.nsw.gov.au

Plan orientation 

The Survey (Geocentric datum of Australia) Act, 1999 (commencing 31 March 2000) replaced the integrated Survey Grid (ISG) with the Mapping Grid of Australia (MGA).

Wherever available, established Mapping Grid of Australia co-ordinates must be used to determine the bearing for the orientation of the survey. The meridian of the plan will refer to "MGA" see cl.12(1)-(6) Surveying Regulation, 2006.

An established permanent mark is any Trig Station, PM or SSM which has a horizontal "class" of 3A, 2A, A, B or C.

Note  Surveys completed before 31 March 2000 may still use ISG Co-ordinates provided they comply with the provisions set out in the Surveyors Practice Regulation 2001.

In an urban area

Where two established permanent marks exist within a 300 metre radius, the survey must relate to MGA see cl.12(2) Surveying Regulation 2006.

The MGA co-ordinates used to determine orientation of the survey must be obtained from the register of public surveys within 6 months before the date of completion of the survey as recorded in the survey certificate on the survey plan see cl.30(4) Surveying Regulation 2006.

In a rural area

The requirement is the same as for an urban area, except that the radius is extended to 1000 metres see cl.12(2) Surveying Regulation 2006.

In all cases

Where MGA is adopted, the bearing of the orientation must be verified by angular, and (if practicable) distance, connection to at least one other established permanent survey mark see cl.12(3) Surveying Regulation 2006. If a comparison of orientation connections reveals differences exceeding 20mm + 100ppm an additional connection to at least one other established permanent survey mark must be shown on the plan. Alternatively a report may be forwarded to the Surveyor General see cl.12(5) Surveying Regulation 2006.

Where MGA is not adopted for orientation the bearing used must be taken from a plan of survey on public record, or from astronomical or satellite observations, and the surveyor must state the origin of the orientation on the new plan of survey see cl.12(6) Surveying Regulation 2006.

Recording the datum line

On a plan of survey a surveyor must define the terminals of the datum line adopted by using distinguishing characters and making reference to the nature of the marks referred to. The bearing and distance of this azimuth must be shown on the plan. Reference to the terminal points must be included in the Surveyors Certificate on the Administration Sheet.

Where the orientation adopted is MGA a schedule of co-ordinates showing values, zone, accuracy class and order, date, combined scale factor and source of all the established permanent survey marks used for orientation purposes must also be shown on the plan see cl.61(1)-(3) Surveying Regulation, 2006.