What is the Purpose of a Contour & Feature Survey
A Contour and Feature Survey provides accurate, scaled information about your site’s existing conditions - including levels, boundaries, vegetation, structures, and services. It forms the base layer for all design, engineering, and approval documentation, ensuring your project reflects the real conditions of the land. Accurate survey data allows designers, engineers, and certifiers to confidently assess compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) and Queensland Development Code (QDC), as well as relevant local planning overlays.
What the Survey Includes
A typical Contour and Feature Survey shows:
- Property boundaries and lot dimensions
- Existing structures and improvements
- Existing home location and accurate wall positioning
- Ground levels and contours
- Spot levels at key site points
- Trees, fences, retaining walls, and other features
- Easements, sewer mains, and service connections
- Location of adjoining property features (as visible from site)
The survey provides a precise digital base file (DWG or PDF) used directly for design drafting and engineering.
When an Identification (Ident) Survey May Be Required
For Knockdown-Rebuild (KDRB) projects or renovation/extension designs close to property boundaries, a Registered Surveyor may be required to undertake an Identification Survey (Ident Survey) in addition to a contour and feature survey.
An Ident Survey precisely confirms legal title boundaries and the position of existing or proposed structures in relation to those boundaries. This is particularly important when:
- Existing fencing or retaining walls are assumed to be on the boundary (but may not be)
- Proposed works are within setback distances or near easements
- Certifiers or councils request formal boundary verification before approval
Having an Ident Survey early helps prevent boundary disputes, construction errors, and delays in certification or compliance stages.
Guidance from Realex Design
At Realex Design, we can coordinate Contour and Feature Surveys (and Identification Surveys when needed) with licensed surveying professionals to ensure your project starts on an accurate foundation.
We’ll advise when a survey is required, help arrange it through trusted surveyors, and integrate the digital data directly into your design drawings for efficient, compliant documentation.
Our goal is to eliminate uncertainty, ensuring your design reflects the true conditions of your site from the very beginning.