{"id":"licensed-surveyors-guidance-of-surveyors-regulations-1961","name":"Licensed Surveyors (Guidance of Surveyors) Regulations 1961","slug":"licensed-surveyors-guidance-of-surveyors-regulations-1961","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"wa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":178569,"registerId":"wa-licensed-surveyors-guidance-of-surveyors-regulations-1961-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Licensed Surveyors (Guidance of Surveyors) Regulations 1961","content":"![Crest]()Western Australia\n\nLicensed Surveyors Act 1909\n\nLicensed Surveyors (General Surveying Practice) Regulations 1961\n\n- **Reprinted under the *Reprints Act 1984* as**\n- **at 6 December 2013**\n\n\nWestern Australia\n\nLicensed Surveyors (General Surveying Practice) Regulations 1961\n\nContents\n\nPart 1 — Preliminary matters\n\n1. Citation 1\n\n3. Terms used 1\n\nPart 2 — General duties of surveyors\n\n3A. Guidelines 3\n\n4. Duties of surveyors 3\n\n5. Accuracy 4\n\n6. Knowledge of relevant legislation 4\n\n7. Other instructions 5\n\nPart 3 — Field records\n\n8. Keeping and lodging field records for authorised surveys 6\n\n9. Distances 7\n\n12. Calculated or original values 7\n\n16. Names 7\n\n17. Certification of field record 7\n\nPart 4 — Field work\n\n20. Calibration 9\n\n22. Connection to old alignment 9\n\n22A. Connections to standard survey marks 9\n\n22B. Re‑establishment using standard survey marks 10\n\n23. Remarking connecting boundary between old and new surveys 10\n\n24A. Additional reference marks in relation to corners 11\n\n25. Re-establishment of original Crown surveys 11\n\n25A. Certificates relating to re‑establishment surveys 12\n\n26. New alignments 13\n\n26A. Special surveys 13\n\n27. Azimuth 14\n\n28. Old surveys: adjustment of distances 14\n\n29. Old surveys: adjustment of angles 15\n\n34. Limits of error of closure 15\n\n35. Distribution of miscloses 16\n\n35A. Calculation of areas 16\n\nPart 5 — Survey marks\n\nDivision 1 — Marking boundaries generally\n\n36. Specification of survey marks 17\n\n37. Placement of reference marks 19\n\n38. Specifications of reference marks 19\n\n39. Intermediate marks 20\n\n40A. Streets, rights‑of‑way, pedestrian access ways, drainage reserves and railways: additional requirements 20\n\n40. Kilometre posts 21\n\n41. Shorter boundaries 21\n\n42. Road surveys 22\n\nDivision 2 — Marking lease boundaries\n\n47. Marking boundaries of pastoral and timber leases 22\n\nDivision 3 — Other matters relating to marking\n\n48. Positioning of marks 23\n\n49. Methods of marking 23\n\n50. Line clearing 23\n\n51. Damage to survey marks 23\n\n53A. Certificate required if plan not lodged within 2 years 24\n\nPart 6 — Drafting\n\n54. Certificate on plan 25\n\n55. Drafting 25\n\nPart 7 — Surveys of land in special survey areas\n\n55A. Application of this Part 26\n\n55BA. Early lodgment for dealings 26\n\n55BB. Standard requirements for survey 26\n\n55B. Field records for subdivisions in special survey areas 27\n\n55C. Network summary 28\n\n55E. Final survey certificate 28\n\n55F. Lodgment of final survey certificate and field record 29\n\nPart 8 — Miscellaneous matters\n\n56. Grounds for disciplinary action 30\n\nNotes\n\nCompilation table 31\n\nDefined terms\n\n  \n\n- Crest **Reprinted under the *Reprints Act 1984* as**\n- **at 6 December 2013**\n\n\nWestern Australia\n\nLicensed Surveyors Act 1909\n\nLicensed Surveyors (General Surveying Practice) Regulations 1961\n\n## Part 1 — Preliminary matters\n\n[Heading inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3455.]\n\n##### 1. Citation\n\nThese regulations may be cited as the *Licensed Surveyors (General Surveying Practice) Regulations 1961* 1.\n\n[Regulation 1 amended: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3456.]\n\n[**2.** Omitted under the Reprints Act 1984 s. 7(4)(f).]\n\n##### 3. Terms used\n\nIn these regulations unless the context requires otherwise —\n\nAct means the *Licensed Surveyors Act 1909*, as amended;\n\nfield record, in relation to a survey, means the field record of the survey;\n\nguideline means a guideline referred to in regulation 3A;\n\nlodge means to lodge with the Western Australian Land Information Authority;\n\n  plans includes diagrams;\n\n  surveyor means a surveyor licensed under the Act whose name appears on the register;\n\n  Surveyor General includes as well any other person appointed by the Governor to approve plans of authorised surveys.\n\n[Regulation 3 amended: Gazette 5 Sep 2000 p. 5054; 26 Jul 2013 p. 3456.]\n\n## Part 2 — General duties of surveyors\n\n[Heading inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3456.]\n\n##### 3A. Guidelines\n\n(1) From time to time the Board may make guidelines as to the practices to be followed by surveyors.\n\n(2) Copies of the guidelines are to be made available at the offices of the Board.\n\n[Regulation 3A inserted: Gazette 5 Sep 2000 p. 5054.]\n\n##### 4. Duties of surveyors\n\n(1) It is the duty of every surveyor making surveys under these regulations —\n\n(a) to work in a professional manner and to study the interests of the State in all the surveyor’s operations; and\n\n(b) to disclose all doubts, discrepancies and difficulties as soon as practicable after discovering them; and\n\n(c) to afford to the Surveyor General all information obtained by the surveyor in the due performance of surveys entrusted to the surveyor.\n\n(2) Before commencing a survey, the surveyor shall obtain the relevant survey information from —\n\n(a) the department of the Public Service principally assisting in the administration of the *Land Administration Act 1997*; and\n\n(b) the department of the Public Service principally assisting in the administration of the *Mining Act 1978*; and\n\n(c) the Western Australian Land Information Authority established by the *Land Information Authority Act 2006* section 5.\n\n[Regulation 4 inserted: Gazette 4 Apr 1997 p. 1758; amended: Gazette 5 Sep 2000 p. 5054; 29 Dec 2006 p. 5899; 26 Jul 2013 p. 3456‑7.]\n\n##### 5. Accuracy\n\n(1) The necessity for the greatest practical accuracy cannot be too strongly impressed upon surveyors.\n\n(2) In many instances no means exist by which errors can be immediately detected.\n\n(3) If it is found that —\n\n(a) a surveyor’s work is not up to the standard of accuracy that is required under a written law or is otherwise necessary; or\n\n(b) a surveyor’s work is generally unreliable; or\n\n(c) a surveyor has in other respects neglected to comply with these regulations,\n\nthe finding may be taken into account in determining whether there is proper cause for disciplinary action under section 21 of the Act in respect of the surveyor.\n\n[Regulation 5 amended: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3457‑8.]\n\n##### 6. Knowledge of relevant legislation\n\nA surveyor conducting authorised surveys under these regulations should be conversant with the provisions of all written laws a knowledge of which is necessary to enable the efficient discharge the surveyor’s duties.\n\n[Regulation 6 inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3458.]\n\n##### 7. Other instructions\n\nA surveyor effecting any authorised survey under the Act shall comply with —\n\n(a) guidelines under these regulations;\n\n(b) directions or guidelines under other Acts under which the survey is effected,\n\nunless the surveyor can demonstrate to the Surveyor General that compliance is inappropriate in the particular circumstances of the survey or that an equivalent alternative action has been taken.\n\n[Regulation 7 amended: Gazette 5 Sep 2000 p. 5054; 26 Jul 2013 p. 3458.]\n\n## Part 3 — Field records\n\n[Heading inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3458.]\n\n##### 8. Keeping and lodging field records for authorised surveys\n\n(1) A surveyor must keep a field record for each authorised survey conducted by the surveyor.\n\n(2A) The field record for an authorised survey must be kept in such a manner that another surveyor would readily gain from the record a complete understanding of the methodology and scope of the survey, including the marks used.\n\n(2B) The field record for an authorised survey must show everything that was done, or found on the ground, in the course of the survey.\n\n(2C) The field record for an authorised survey that establishes one or more boundaries must be lodged with the plan of the authorised survey.\n\n(2) If a survey is an authorised survey referred to in paragraph (c) of the definition of ***authorised survey*** in section 3(1) of the Act, a field record is to be lodged only if there is in that survey —\n\n(a) a material variation from existing surveys; or\n\n(b) the placement of additional reference marks; or\n\n(c) the replacement of deteriorated survey marks.\n\n(3) A field record required by subregulation (2) to be lodged is to be lodged within 6 months after the date of completion of the relevant authorised survey.\n\n(4) The Board may request a surveyor to give to the Board a copy of the field record for an authorised survey conducted by the surveyor.\n\n(5) A surveyor must comply with a request made under subregulation (4).\n\n[Regulation 8 amended: Gazette 26 Sep 1986 p. 3705; 4 Apr 1997 p. 1758; 26 Jul 2013 p. 3459‑60.]\n\n##### 9. Distances\n\n(1) Distances must be recorded as observed and reduced to a precision of at least 0.005 m.\n\n(2) Referencing distances and offset distances must be recorded with the highest precision practicable.\n\n(3) The reference surface of each distance must be stated.\n\n[Regulation 9 inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3460.]\n\n[**10, 11.** Deleted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3460.]\n\n##### 12. Calculated or original values\n\nAny distance or angle not measured by the surveyor shall be designated “cal.” or “orig.” according to whether it has been calculated by the surveyor or copied from earlier survey data.\n\n[Regulation 12 amended: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3460.]\n\n[**13‑15.** Deleted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3460.]\n\n##### 16. Names\n\nAll known names of rivers, creeks, hills, lakes, localities, etc., shall be recorded.\n\n##### 17. Certification of field record\n\n(1) The surveyor who carried out an authorised survey must certify, in the form set out in the Table, the field record.\n\n**Table**\n\nCertificate\n\nI, ..............................................., licensed surveyor, certify that I accept full responsibility for this field record and the authorised survey it represents and certify that both comply with the relevant written laws in relation to which the survey was carried out and this field record is lodged.\n\n.................................................\n\nName:\n\nDated: .....................................\n\n(2) Each page of the field record on which notes about the survey appear —\n\n(a) must be initialled by the surveyor; and\n\n(b) must bear the date on which the field work recorded on that page of the field record was carried out.\n\n[Regulation 17 inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3460‑1.]\n\n## Part 4 — Field work\n\n[Heading inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3461.]\n\n[**18, 19.** Deleted: Gazette 5 Sep 2000 p. 5056.]\n\n##### 20. Calibration\n\n(1) A surveyor shall calibrate measuring equipment at regular intervals (not exceeding 2 years) in accordance with accepted practice.\n\n(2) The Surveyor General is to arrange for a standard or standards to be available to enable surveyors to comply with subregulation (1).\n\n[Regulation 20 inserted: Gazette 5 Sep 2000 p. 5056; amended: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3461.]\n\n[**21.** Deleted: Gazette 5 Sep 2000 p. 5056.]\n\n##### 22. Connection to old alignment\n\n(1) Each survey must be connected to a previous survey unless otherwise provided by a regulation or guideline.\n\n(2) In all re‑establishment the position indicated by reliable reference marks should be generally accepted in preference to that indicated by the post or peg if there is disagreement between them.\n\n[Regulation 22 amended: Gazette 5 Sep 2000 p. 5056; 26 Jul 2013 p. 3462.]\n\n##### 22A. Connections to standard survey marks\n\n(1) In accordance with the guidelines, authorised surveys are to be connected on a map grid approved by the Board.\n\n(2) For the purposes of subregulation (1) guidelines are to be made specifying —\n\n(a) the map grids approved by the Board; and\n\n(b) the extent of the connection.\n\n[Regulation 22A inserted: Gazette 5 Sep 2000 p. 5056.]\n\n##### 22B. Re‑establishment using standard survey marks\n\n(1) When an authorised survey has been connected to a geodetic station in accordance with regulation 22A any re‑establishment of the alignments and boundaries established by the survey may, at the option of the surveyor, be based on that connection.\n\n(2) For the purposes of subregulation (1) guidelines are to be made specifying details of the re‑establishment.\n\n[Regulation 22B inserted: Gazette 5 Sep 2000 p. 5056‑7.]\n\n##### 23. Remarking connecting boundary between old and new surveys\n\n(1) This regulation applies if a surveyor is required under regulation 22 to connect a new survey to an old survey.\n\n(2) In this regulation —\n\nconnecting boundary, in relation to a new survey, means the boundary connecting the new survey to an old survey.\n\n(3) The surveyor must range sufficient of the connecting boundary to verify its alignment.\n\n(4) For the purposes of subregulation (3), it is sufficient if the surveyor uses —\n\n(a) 3 reliable, reasonably spaced marks; or\n\n(b) fewer such marks as approved by the Surveyor General.\n\n(5) For the purposes of subregulation (3) —\n\n(a) all portions of any old survey line must be carefully measured; and\n\n(b) if the land being surveyed is rural land and the measurements taken in accordance with paragraph (a) are found to be in disagreement with the measurements previously accepted in relation to the old survey line by an average of more than 1:4000 — the old survey line must be carefully remeasured and the results of the remeasure must be recorded in the field record.\n\n(6) The surveyor must, as necessary —\n\n(a) replace the posts and pegs used in the old survey to mark the connecting boundary; and\n\n(b) clearly indicate the direction of the connecting boundary.\n\n[Regulation 23 inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3462‑3.]\n\n[**24.** Deleted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3462.]\n\n##### 24A. Additional reference marks in relation to corners\n\nIf a surveyor uses reference marks at a corner of a location, road, street or subdivisional lot to re‑establish alignments for a survey, whether near or far from the subject parcel, and those reference marks cannot confidently be expected to remain safe from disturbance in the long term, the surveyor must establish additional reference marks in a place which is confidently expected to be safe from such disturbance.\n\n[Regulation 24A inserted: Gazette 4 Apr 1997 p. 1759; amended: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3463.]\n\n##### 25. Re-establishment of original Crown surveys\n\n(1) When re‑establishing original Crown surveys the surveyor must adhere to the principle of the unchangeableness of the position of the boundary marks except as hereinafter mentioned, and where they have been originally established on the ground by a Government surveyor in pursuance of the survey system at that time in force they must be regarded as the true positions even if found by the new survey not to be in the exact position assigned to them.\n\n(2) However, to prevent the perpetuation of patent errors in original surveys and to guard against fraud in case where a material disagreement is found to exist between a new and an old survey, the surveyor must, within 3 months after completing the new survey, forward to the Surveyor General a full report, sketch and field record showing the position of and describing all old survey marks and improvements on or near the boundary line.\n\n(3) Where original intermediate marks are not truly aligned between the corners the surveyor may correct the alignment of them provided that no improvements are affected by the alteration.\n\n(4) The original and amended positions of the marks must be clearly recorded in the field record and a full report on the positions of those marks must be forwarded to the Surveyor General within 3 months after completion of the new survey.\n\n[Regulation 25 amended: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3464‑5.]\n\n##### 25A. Certificates relating to re‑establishment surveys\n\n(1) If a survey is an authorised survey referred to in paragraph (c) of the definition of ***authorised survey*** in section 3(1) of the Act, the surveyor carrying out that survey shall within 30 days after its completion give to the registered proprietor of the land surveyed and the client of that surveyor copies of a certificate in the form in the Table to this subregulation.\n\n**Table**\n\n*Licensed Surveyors Act 1909*\n\nSURVEYOR’S CERTIFICATE\n\nI, ......................................., licensed surveyor, certify that on the ..................... day of ...................................., I re‑established the boundaries of * ................................... as shown on the attached ** sketch/plan and that the survey was performed in accordance with all relevant written laws.\n\n............................................... .................................................\n\nDate Licensed surveyor\n\n* Insert parcel identifier.\n\n** Delete “sketch/” or “/plan”, whichever is appropriate.\n\n(2) A surveyor who has given copies of a certificate under subregulation (1) must —\n\n(a) keep a duplicate of the certificate for 7 years after it was made; and\n\n(b) if requested to do so by the secretary or a person authorised by the Chairman on behalf of the Board, make that duplicate available to the secretary or that person.\n\n[Regulation 25A inserted: Gazette 4 Apr 1997 p. 1759; amended: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3465.]\n\n##### 26. New alignments\n\n(1) All new boundary lines shall be accurately ranged and measured except where distances and alignments can be computed from connections with another fully ranged line such as the opposite side of a road, an offset, traverse, or similar line parallel or nearly so.\n\n(2) Boundaries with calculated distances must be cleared and marked in accordance with these regulations.\n\n(3) Where a new survey line intersects an unsurveyed boundary of leasehold land or freehold land, the intersection shall be marked in accordance with these regulations.\n\n[Regulation 26 amended: Gazette 4 Aug 1965 p. 2223; 5 Sep 2000 p. 5057; 26 Jul 2013 p. 3465‑6.]\n\n##### 26A. Special surveys\n\n(1) The Surveyor General may authorise a survey to be conducted by a method other than in accordance with these regulations.\n\n(2) The Board may authorise the conduct of types of surveys by methods other than those set forth in these regulations.\n\n(3) The Surveyor General or the Board, as the case requires, may issue directions or guidelines applying to a survey or type of survey conducted in accordance with an authorisation under subregulation (1) or (2).\n\n(4) The Surveyor General may declare an area to be a special survey area within which special conditions apply.\n\n(5) The conditions referred to in subregulation (4) are to be specified in guidelines under these regulations.\n\n[Regulation 26A inserted: Gazette 5 Sep 2000 p. 5057.]\n\n##### 27. Azimuth\n\n(1) The direction of a survey line with reference to the meridian must be determined —\n\n(a) by observation; or\n\n(b) by applying the correction for convergence from the nearest point of observation for azimuth.\n\n(2) An azimuth may be adopted from an adjoining survey unless there appears to be a reason to doubt its accuracy.\n\n(3) The derivation of azimuth must be obtained at intervals of not more than 8 km.\n\n[Regulation 27 inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3466.]\n\n##### 28. Old surveys: adjustment of distances\n\nIf an old survey line is being re‑established, this information must be recorded in the field record —\n\n(a) the actual distance measurements taken in the survey for that purpose;\n\n(b) the distance measurements previously accepted.\n\n[Regulation 28 inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3466.]\n\n##### 29. Old surveys: adjustment of angles\n\nIf an old survey line is being re‑established, this information must be recorded in the field record —\n\n(a) the actual measurement of the value of each angle taken in the survey for that purpose;\n\n(b) the value of each angle previously accepted.\n\n[Regulation 29 inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3467.]\n\n[**30.** Deleted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3466.]\n\n[**31.** Deleted: Gazette 5 Sep 2000 p. 5057.]\n\n[**32, 33.** Deleted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3466.]\n\n##### 34. Limits of error of closure\n\nAs accurate surveys and a high standard of work shall be the first object of surveyors, they will be expected to obtain as nearly as possible a true closure.\n\n(a) Angular:\n\n| City and suburban.............. 10 seconds per angle |\n| --- |\n| Rural.................................. 15 seconds per angle |\n\n\nFor lines with intermediate set‑ups add 5 seconds for each.\n\nThe position of intermediate set‑ups should be shown in the field record and marked by a spike without trenches.\n\nLimit of closure:\n\n| City and suburban.............. 1 minute |\n| --- |\n| Rural.................................. 3 minutes |\n\n\n(b) Linear:\n\nLinear closure shall be determined by the following formula:\n\nThe square root of the sum of the squares of the differences in latitude and in departure divided by the total perimeter.\n\nThe linear closure shall not exceed the ratio of 1 in 8000 for surveys of city and suburban lands and 1 in 4000 for surveys of rural lands.\n\n[Regulation 34 amended: Gazette 1 Sep 1972 p. 3411; 26 Jul 2013 p. 3467.]\n\n##### 35. Distribution of miscloses\n\nAn angular or linear misclose must be adjusted according to a mathematically sound process that is generally accepted as good survey practice.\n\n[Regulation 35 inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3467.]\n\n##### 35A. Calculation of areas\n\nThe result of calculating an area must be recorded in the field record —\n\n(a) if the result is less than 1 ha — in square metres to the nearest square metre; or\n\n(b) if the result is equal to or greater than 1 ha — in hectares to at least 5 significant figures and at least 3 decimal points.\n\n[Regulation 35A inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3467‑8.]\n\n## Part 5 — Survey marks\n\n[Heading inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3468.]\n\n### Division 1 — Marking boundaries generally\n\n[Heading inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3468.]\n\n##### 36. Specification of survey marks\n\n(1A) The corners and angles of a boundary or land parcel must be marked in accordance with this regulation.\n\n(1) Posts and pegs are to be made from jarrah, jam (wood) wandoo, steel, concrete or polypropylene.\n\n(2) Survey marks are to be placed so that they are firm and stable.\n\n(3) The size of posts or pegs is determined by the area enclosed by the perimeter upon which they are placed in accordance with the Table to this regulation.\n\n(4) Where pegs or posts are placed on 2 adjoining perimeters of different categories the larger size is to be used on the angles of the common boundary.\n\n(5) Where a mark specified in the Table to this regulation is inappropriate, an alternative mark which —\n\n(a) is of equivalent durability and stability to the specified mark; and\n\n(b) is identifiable as a cadastral mark; and\n\n(c) sufficiently resembles a standard mark so as to be identifiable as such by the public,\n\nmay be used.\n\n(6) Where, in accordance with subregulation (5), an alternative mark is used a full description of the mark is to be shown in the field record.\n\n(7) Where practicable all exposed portions of posts and pegs —\n\n(a) shall be coloured white; or\n\n(b) if they are hardwood pegs 75 mm square, may be coloured red.\n\n(8) All concrete posts are to be topped by a secure non‑corrosive metal plate.\n\n(9) The numbers of all relevant land parcels are to be marked on the post or peg on the side or top respectively facing the parcel and in the direction so as to be read from within the parcel with —\n\n(a) where the land is rural land, “R” marked towards the road abuttal; or\n\n(b) where the land is urban land, “R” marked towards the road abuttal where it would add to clarity.\n\n**Table**\n\n| (a) | Area over 4 ha:<br>A hardwood post, pointed at the top, 100 mm square, at least 0.6 m long, a concrete post, 60 mm square, at least 0.45 m long, a steel post or peg, 60 mm square, at least 0.9 m long or a mark made from polypropylene, 75 mm square, at least 0.45 m long. |\n| --- | --- |\n| (b) | Area 4 000 square metres to 4 ha:<br>A peg, 75 mm square, at least 0.35 m long, a concrete post 60 mm square, at least 0.45 m long or a steel peg 75 mm square, at least 0.6 m long. |\n| (c) | Area under 4 000 square metres:<br>A peg, 50 mm square, at least 0.35 m long or a concrete post, 50 mm square, at least 0.4 m long. |\n\n\n[Regulation 36 inserted: Gazette 5 Sep 2000 p. 5058‑9; amended: Gazette 12 Sep 2003 p. 4075; 22 Apr 2005 p. 1342‑3; 26 Jul 2013 p. 3468.]\n\n##### 37. Placement of reference marks\n\n(1) This regulation applies in relation to the survey of a boundary.\n\n(2) Two reference marks must be placed —\n\n(a) if it is the boundary of a land parcel that is greater than 4 ha — at each angle of the boundary; or\n\n(b) if it is the boundary of a land parcel that is equal to or less than 4 ha — at key points along the boundary; or\n\n(c) if it is another boundary — at each corner and angle of the boundary.\n\n(3) Each of those reference marks must be related by distance and, if practicable, direction to an alignment.\n\n(4) The distance between those reference marks must be measured, and recorded in the field record, to the nearest millimetre.\n\n(5) A single reference mark (without trenching) must be placed at each instrument point that is not otherwise permanently marked.\n\n(6) The objective of the placement of a reference mark is to ensure its long term stability and accessibility.\n\n[Regulation 37 inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3468‑9.]\n\n##### 38. Specifications of reference marks\n\n(1) A reference mark shall be an iron spike at least 0.01 m in diameter and 0.4 m long, driven flush into a paved surface or sunk, where practicable, at least 0.25 m below an unpaved surface.\n\n(2) Where such marks are not reasonably available or conditions are unsuitable for their use, alternative marks of other materials of equivalent durability and stability may be used.\n\n(3) A full description of alternative marks used must be shown in the field record.\n\n(4) Marks with a head or lip such as bridge nails or dog spikes should not be placed in situations where they are to be excavated for use.\n\n[Regulation 38 inserted: Gazette 9 Nov 1979 p. 3520; amended: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3469‑70.]\n\n##### 39. Intermediate marks\n\n(1) On all permanent boundaries that exceed 250 m in length a mark consisting of an iron spike at least 0.01 m in diameter and 0.4 m long driven flush, shall be placed exactly on the alignment at intervals not exceeding 250 m such that from each mark at least one other mark is visible forward and backward.\n\n(2) Where such marks are not reasonably available or conditions are unsuitable for their use, alternative marks of other materials of equivalent durability and stability may be used.\n\n(3) A full description of alternative marks used must be shown in the field record.\n\n[Regulation 39 inserted: Gazette 9 Nov 1979 p. 3520; amended: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3470.]\n\n##### 40A. Streets, rights‑of‑way, pedestrian access ways, drainage reserves and railways: additional requirements\n\n(1) This regulation applies in relation to the survey of a street, right‑of‑way, pedestrian access way, drainage reserve or railway in addition to regulations 37, 38 and 39.\n\n(2) Each corner and angle of the street, right‑of‑way, pedestrian access way, drainage reserve or railway must be marked by a peg or post as specified in paragraph (b) of the Table to regulation 36 the exposed portion of which must be coloured red.\n\n(3) At any truncated corner of the street, right‑of‑way, pedestrian access way, drainage reserve or railway —\n\n(a) the intersection of 2 adjoining alignments must be marked with a single reference mark; and\n\n(b) 2 other reference marks, each being related by angle and distance to those alignments, must be placed in positions so as to minimise the chance of disturbance and to enable the re‑establishment of both alignments.\n\n(4) If a corner or angle of the street, right‑of‑way, pedestrian access way, drainage reserve or railway is not intervisible with an adjoining corner or angle, the intermediate instrument point (being the point from which both corners or angles are visible) must be marked by a single reference mark (without trenching) and the distance to that point from each of those corners or angles must be recorded in the field record.\n\n[Regulation 40A inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3471.]\n\n##### 40. Kilometre posts\n\n(1) If the length of any boundary exceeds 2 km, numbered referenced kilometre posts shall be placed on the boundary.\n\n(2) Posts and reference marks shall be similar to those placed at angles.\n\n[Regulation 40 inserted: Gazette 1 Sep 1972 p. 3412; amended: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3472.]\n\n##### 41. Shorter boundaries\n\n(1) When 2 or more adjoining boundary lines are 100 m or less in length the mark to be placed at the angle between them may be as specified in paragraph (c) of the Table to regulation 36.\n\n(2) If, as in the case of traverse of a natural feature or the marking of a winding road or a railway boundary, there are more than 5 consecutive boundaries less than 100 m long, reference spikes may be omitted from every second pair of angles.\n\n[Regulation 41 amended: Gazette 1 Sep 1972 p. 3412; 5 Sep 2000 p. 5060; 26 Jul 2013 p. 3472.]\n\n##### 42. Road surveys\n\n(1) When marking both sides of a new road, the angle posts on both sides will be referenced according to regulation 37.\n\n(2) Where a surveyor is instructed to mark only one side of a road, the surveyor must set out posts for the angle points on the opposite side of the road, according to its width and reference them, as specified above, but without intermediate marks or trenches or line clearing.\n\n[Regulation 42 amended: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3472‑3.]\n\n[**43, 44.** Deleted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3473.]\n\n[Heading deleted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3473.]\n\n[**45, 46.** Deleted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3473.]\n\n### Division 2 — Marking lease boundaries\n\n[Heading inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3473.]\n\n##### 47. Marking boundaries of pastoral and timber leases\n\n(1) The boundaries of pastoral and timber leases shall be marked in a similar manner to other lands, with the exception that the intermediate marks may be placed at intervals of not more than 500 m.\n\n(2) These marks may be flat‑topped pegs, 0.075 m square, and 0.4 m long, sunk 0.3 m in the ground, with consecutive numbers clearly cut or stamped thereon, or spikes or bottles.\n\n(3) Kilometre posts shall be placed as provided in regulation 40, and alternative use of concrete blocks as specified in paragraph (a) of the Table to regulation 36 shall be permitted.\n\n[Regulation 47 inserted: Gazette 1 Sep 1972 p. 3413; amended: Gazette 5 Sep 2000 p. 5060; 26 Jul 2013 p. 3473‑4.]\n\n### Division 3 — Other matters relating to marking\n\n[Heading inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3474.]\n\n##### 48. Positioning of marks\n\nA mark must clearly indicate the position of the boundary that the mark is intended to indicate.\n\n[Regulation 48 inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3474.]\n\n##### 49. Methods of marking\n\nIf there are no improvements indicating the direction of a boundary, the direction must be clearly indicated by trenches, stakes, stone pointers or other appropriate marks on the ground.\n\n[Regulation 49 inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3474.]\n\n##### 50. Line clearing\n\n(1) Subject to environmental considerations, any new boundary line must be cleared sufficiently to indicate the position of the boundary.\n\n(2) A boundary line or part of a boundary line that has not been cleared in accordance with subregulation (1) must be shown in the field record as not having been cleared.\n\n[Regulation 50 inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3475.]\n\n##### 51. Damage to survey marks\n\n(1) A person must not remove or deface a survey mark.\n\nPenalty: a fine of $1 000.\n\n(2) A surveyor must report the removal or defacement of a survey mark to the Surveyor General as soon as practicable after becoming aware of it.\n\n[Regulation 51 inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3475.]\n\n[**52, 53.** Deleted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3474.]\n\n##### 53A. Certificate required if plan not lodged within 2 years\n\nWhere a plan of a survey is not lodged within 2 years from the time of ground marking, the surveyor shall lodge a certificate to the effect that the survey has been inspected and that all marks are intact.\n\n[Regulation 53A inserted: Gazette 24 Feb 1970 p. 553; amended: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3475.]\n\n## Part 6 — Drafting\n\n[Heading inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3475.]\n\n##### 54. Certificate on plan\n\nA certificate in the form in the Table to this regulation shall be written on every plan, other than a compiled plan within the meaning of the *Transfer of Land (Surveys) Regulations 1995* regulation 4(1), and signed by the surveyor.\n\n**Table**\n\nCertificate\n\nI hereby certify that this plan is accurate and is a correct representation of the —\n\n(a) *survey; and/or\n\n(b) *calculations from measurements recorded in the field records,\n\n[* delete if inapplicable]\n\nundertaken for the purposes of this plan and that it complies with the relevant written law(s) in relation to which it is lodged.\n\n..................................... ......................................  \nDate Licensed surveyor\n\n[Regulation 54 inserted: Gazette 26 Oct 1990 p. 5383; amended: Gazette 4 Apr 1997 p. 1760; 10 Feb 2006 p. 661; 26 Jul 2013 p. 3476.]\n\n##### 55. Drafting\n\nPlans shall be accurately plotted in accordance with the requirements of the department concerned or the Western Australian Land Information Authority, as the case requires.\n\n[Regulation 55 amended: Gazette 29 Dec 2006 p. 5900.]\n\n## Part 7 — Surveys of land in special survey areas\n\n[Heading inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3476.]\n\n##### 55A. Application of this Part\n\nThis Part applies to a subdivision in a special survey area declared under regulation 26A(4).\n\n[Regulation 55A inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3476.]\n\n##### 55BA. Early lodgment for dealings\n\nA plan of survey for a subdivision may be lodged in order for dealings before completion of field marking if the survey is in accordance with this Part.\n\n[Regulation 55BA inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3477.]\n\n##### 55BB. Standard requirements for survey\n\n(1) The subdivision must have adequate connections to the State geodetic network in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Surveyor General under regulation 26A(5).\n\n(2) Sufficient control points must be placed in safe and protected areas so as to survive the engineering and construction works.\n\n(3) The corners of each lot in the subdivision must be marked prior to the plan of survey being lodged in order for dealings.\n\n(4) Notification to the Western Australian Land Information Authority can be by lodgment of a certificate in a form that is the same as, or sufficiently similar to, the Initial Survey Certificate set out in the guidelines issued by the Surveyor General under regulation 26A(5).\n\n(5) A certificate lodged under subregulation (4) must state —\n\n(a) that the marks referred to in subregulation (3) are in place; and\n\n(b) that final marking will be carried out when the subdivision has been completed.\n\n(6) Final marking must be completed not more than 14 days after the day of practical completion of the engineering and construction works.\n\n(7) These documents must be lodged with the Western Australian Land Information Authority within 14 days after the day on which final marking is completed —\n\n(a) the plan of survey for the subdivision;\n\n(b) a field record referencing the final marking;\n\n(c) a Final Survey Certificate referred to in regulation 55E.\n\n(8) The plan and the field record must be annotated “Reg. 26A‑referencing/final marking deferred”.\n\n(9) The surveyor who carried out the survey must take reasonable steps to ensure —\n\n(a) that it is disclosed to purchasers of lots on the plan referred to subregulation (8) that access to the land may not be possible at the date of settlement; and\n\n(b) that those purchasers are advised of any changes to the timeframe for practical completion of the engineering and construction works.\n\n[Regulation 55BB inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3477‑8.]\n\n##### 55B. Field records for subdivisions in special survey areas\n\n(1) Every subdivision (involving one or more plans) must be effected through a control survey network, integral with the re‑establishment of the original boundaries and be shown in a lodged field record.\n\n(2) The marks of the control survey should be placed as far as possible so as to remain undisturbed throughout the installation of services and until permanent cadastral survey marking is completed.\n\n(3) The field record shall contain —\n\n(a) Western Australian Planning Commission file number;\n\n(b) re‑establishment survey;\n\n(c) graphic summary of control network including observed values and adjusted, adopted values;\n\n(d) connections between control network and re‑establishment survey.\n\n[Regulation 55B inserted: Gazette 26 Sep 1986 p. 3705; amended: Gazette 4 Apr 1997 p. 1761; 26 Jul 2013 p. 3478‑9.]\n\n##### 55C. Network summary\n\n(1) Observed and adjusted values for the control survey network shall be shown on the network summary in the field record.\n\n(2) Distances and angles shown must result in zero closures (or negligible miscloses due to rounding errors only) for all polygons, including new (precalculated) lots.\n\n[Regulation 55C inserted: Gazette 26 Sep 1986 p. 3705; amended: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3480.]\n\n[**55D.** Deleted: Gazette 4 Apr 1997 p. 1760.]\n\n##### 55E. Final survey certificate\n\nA final survey certificate in the form in the Table to this regulation shall be signed and given by the surveyor to the Surveyor General in relation to a survey conducted in accordance with this Part.\n\n**Table**  \nCertificate\n\nI hereby certify that —\n\n(a) I accept full responsibility for the plan shown on Plan No. .......... and the authorised survey it represents; and\n\n(b) the plan of survey is an accurate representation of the results, observations, measurements, calculations and adopted values which have been validated and found to be accurate and in strict accordance with the *Licensed Surveyors (General Surveying Practice) Regulations 1961* and in particular regulations 23 and 34 of those regulations; and\n\n(c) the plan of survey conforms with the relevant law in relation to which it is lodged; and\n\n(d) the marks shown on the plan of survey and in referencing Field Records Nos. ....................... were in place on.........................................\n\n(date)\n\nDate..................................... .................................................\n\nLicensed Surveyor\n\n(*strike out whichever does not apply)\n\n[Regulation 55E inserted: Gazette 26 Oct 1990 p. 5383‑4; amended: Gazette 4 Apr 1997 p. 1760; 26 Jul 2013 p. 3480‑1.]\n\n##### 55F. Lodgment of final survey certificate and field record\n\n(1) Before any examined plan will be passed for dealings, the surveyor must lodge the certificate required by regulation 55E in relation to the plan and the field record recording referencing detail.\n\n(2) The field record shall contain —\n\n(i) Western Australian Planning Commission file number and plan number;\n\n(ii) road casements sufficient to show positioning of reference marks;\n\n(iii) 4 connections from the control network to the subdivision.\n\n[Regulation 55F inserted: Gazette 26 Sep 1986 p. 3706; amended: Gazette 26 Oct 1990 p. 5384; 4 Apr 1997 p. 1761; 26 Jul 2013 p. 3481.]\n\n## Part 8 — Miscellaneous matters\n\n[Heading inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3482.]\n\n##### 56. Grounds for disciplinary action\n\nWhether a surveyor has or has not acted in accordance with these regulations may be taken into account in determining whether there is proper cause for disciplinary action under section 21 of the Act in respect of the surveyor.\n\n[Regulation 56 inserted: Gazette 26 Jul 2013 p. 3482.]\n\n![dline]()\n\nNotes\n\n1 This reprint is a compilation as at 6 December 2013 of the *Licensed Surveyors (General Surveying Practice) Regulations 1961* and includes the amendments made by the other written laws referred to in the following table. The table also contains information about any reprint.\n\nCompilation table\n\n| **Citation** | | **Gazettal** | | **Commencement** | |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| *Licensed Surveyors (Guidance of Surveyors) Regulations 1961* 2 | | 28 Nov 1961 p. 3253‑60 | | 1 Jan 1962 | |\n| Untitled regulations | | 4 Aug 1965 p. 2223 | | 4 Aug 1965 | |\n| *Decimal Currency Act 1965* assented to 21 Dec 1965 | | | | Act other than s. 4-9: 21 Dec 1965 (see s. 2(1));   s. 4-9: 14 Feb 1966 (see s. 2(2)) | |\n| Untitled regulations | | 24 Feb 1970 p. 553 | | 24 Feb 1970 | |\n| **Reprint of the *Licensed Surveyors (Guidance of Surveyors) Regulations 1961* approved 22 Feb 1971** (see *Gazette* 4 Mar 1971 p. 583-93) (includes amendments listed above) | | | | | |\n| Untitled regulations | | 1 Sep 1972 p. 3411‑13 | | 1 Sep 1972 | |\n| Untitled regulations | | 9 Nov 1979 p. 3519‑20 | | 9 Nov 1979 | |\n| *Licensed Surveyors (Guidance of Surveyors) Amendment Regulations 1982* | | 26 Feb 1982 p. 648 | | 26 Feb 1982 | |\n| *Licensed Surveyors (Guidance of Surveyors) Amendment Regulations 1983* | | 23 Sep 1983 p. 3799 | | 23 Sep 1983 | |\n| **Reprint of the *Licensed Surveyors (Guidance of Surveyors) Regulations 1961* as at 20 Jan 1986** (see *Gazette* 5 Feb 1986 p. 367-82) (includes amendments listed above) | | | | | |\n| *Licensed Surveyors (Guidance of Surveyors) Amendment Regulations 1986* | | 26 Sep 1986 p. 3705‑6 | | 19 Jan 1987 (see r. 2 and *Gazette* 31 Dec 1986 p. 5027) | |\n| *Licensed Surveyors (Guidance of Surveyors) Amendment Regulations 1990* | | 26 Oct 1990 p. 5382‑4 | | 25 Nov 1990 (see r. 2) | |\n| *Licensed Surveyors Amendment Regulations 1997* Pt. 2 | | 4 Apr 1997 p. 1757‑67 | | 5 Apr 1997 (see r. 2 and *Gazette* 4 Apr 1997 p. 1750) | |\n| *Licensed Surveyors (Guidance of Surveyors) Amendment Regulations 2000* | | 5 Sep 2000 p. 5053‑61 | | 5 Sep 2000 | |\n| **Reprint of the *Licensed Surveyors (Guidance of Surveyors) Regulations 1961* as at 2 Aug 2002** (includes amendments listed above) | | | | | |\n| *Licensed Surveyors (Guidance of Surveyors) Amendment Regulations 2003* | | 12 Sep 2003 p. 4074-6 | | 12 Sep 2003 | |\n| *Licensed Surveyors (Guidance of Surveyors) Amendment Regulations 2005* | | 22 Apr 2005 p. 1342‑3 | | 22 Apr 2005 | |\n| *Licensed Surveyors (Guidance of Surveyors) Amendment Regulations 2006* | | 10 Feb 2006 p. 660-1 | | 10 Feb 2006 | |\n| *Licensed Surveyors (Guidance of Surveyors) Amendment Regulations (No. 2) 2006* | | 29 Dec 2006 p. 5899‑900 | | 1 Jan 2007 (see r. 2 and *Gazette* 8 Dec 2006 p. 5369) | |\n| **Reprint 4: The *Licensed Surveyors (Guidance of Surveyors) Regulations 1961* as at 6 Jun 2008** (includes amendments listed above) | | | | | |\n| *Licensed Surveyors (Guidance of Surveyors) Amendment Regulations 2013* | | 26 Jul 2013 p. 3449-82 | | r. 1 and 2: 26 Jul 2013 (see r. 2(a));   Regulations other than r. 1 and 2: 1 Oct 2013 (see r. 2(b)) | |\n| **Reprint 5: The *Licensed Surveyors (General Surveying Practice) Regulations 1961* as at 6 Dec 2013** (includes amendments listed above) | | | | | |\n\n\n2 Now known as the *Licensed Surveyors (General Surveying Practice) Regulations 1961*; citation changed (see note under r. 1).\n\nDefined terms\n\n*[This is a list of terms defined and the provisions where they are defined. The list is not part of the law.]*\n\n**Defined term Provision(s)**\n\nAct 3\n\nconnecting boundary 23(2)\n\nfield record 3\n\nguideline 3\n\nlodge 3\n\nplans 3\n\nsurveyor 3\n\nSurveyor General 3\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Yes. The regulations have expanded and modernised significantly from their original 1961 form. Additions and changes include explicit, detailed field record requirements and certification (regs 8, 17), precision and recording standards (reg 9, reg 35A, reg 34), mandatory equipment calibration (reg 20), detailed material and dimensional standards for marks (reg 36), connection to State geodetic networks and approved map grids (regs 22A–22B), formalised procedures for special survey areas including early lodgment and final certification (regs 26A, 55BB, 55E, 55F), stronger administrative oversight through Board guidelines (reg 3A) and clearer disciplinary/penalty hooks (regs 51, 56). Those additions move the instrument beyond basic guidance into a comprehensive, prescriptive regulatory regime governing both technical practice and administrative lodgments."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple substantive Parts (8 Parts) with technical and procedural rules across field work, marking, drafting and special survey areas","Numerous cross‑references to the Licensed Surveyors Act and other statutes and agencies (eg. WALIA, Land Administration Act, Mining Act)","Several defined terms and regulatory discretion (eg. guideline, Surveyor General, Board) that change how rules are applied (regs 3, 3A, 26A)","Technical specifications with numeric tolerances and measurement precision (reg 9, reg 34 linear/angular tolerances, reg 35A area rounding)","Detailed material and dimensional tables for survey marks (reg 36 Table) and conditional sizing rules by land area","Multiple time limits and lodgment deadlines (eg. reg 8(3) 6 months, reg 25A(1) 30 days, reg 53A 2 years, reg 55BB various 14‑day deadlines)","Conditional rules and exceptions (eg. different rules for rural vs urban, special survey areas, old surveys vs new surveys)","Administrative requirements: certificates, initialling pages, field record contents, network summaries (regs 17, 54, 55B, 55C, 55E)","Amendment history and deleted provisions create interpretive complexity in practice (frequent amendments listed in compilation table)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What these regulations do (mechanically)**\n\n- They set detailed professional duties and technical standards that licensed surveyors in Western Australia must follow when carrying out authorised land surveys. Key requirements include keeping and lodging field records, meeting stated accuracy and marking standards, calibrating equipment, connecting new surveys to existing surveys or the State geodetic network, and supplying certificates and lodgments to government authorities. (See regulations 4, 8, 9, 17, 20, 22A–22B, 34, 36, 54, 55E.)\n\n- The Board and the Surveyor General are given continuing roles to make and publish guidelines about surveying practice, to approve plans, and to authorise alternative methods or special survey areas. (See regulations 3A, 26A, 22A, 22B.)\n\n- The regulations prescribe precise technical details for field practice: how field records must be kept and certified (reg 8, reg 17), minimum measurement precision (reg 9), methods for handling re‑establishment of old surveys and miscloses (regs 23, 25, 34, 35), and specifications for physical survey marks (reg 36 and Table). They also set time limits for lodgment and notification (eg. field records within 6 months: reg 8(3); re‑establishment certificate within 30 days: reg 25A(1)).\n\n- There are mandatory drafting and lodgment requirements for plans and certificates before plans are passed for dealings (regs 54, 55, 55E, 55F). A penalty applies for removal or defacement of survey marks (reg 51).\n\n**Who is affected**\n\n- Licensed surveyors: primary duty‑holders. They must meet the procedural, technical and record‑keeping requirements, calibrate equipment, place specified marks, lodge field records and certificates, and comply with guidelines and directions (regs 4, 8, 20, 36, 54, 55E, 56).\n\n- Clients and landowners: receive certificates for certain re‑establishment surveys (reg 25A) and may be affected by survey timing or marking (eg. early lodgment rules in special survey areas: reg 55BA, 55BB).\n\n- The Western Australian Land Information Authority (WALIA) and the Surveyor General: receive lodged plans, field records and certificates and exercise approval and enforcement roles (see definitions and regs 3, 8, 55F, 55E).\n\n- The Board (the professional body): issues guidelines and may request field records or authorise survey methods (regs 3A, 8(4)–(5), 26A).\n\n**Why it matters (official purpose and how it plays out practically)**\n\n- The regulations aim to protect the integrity of the cadastral record and the State’s interest in land boundaries by ensuring uniform, documented and traceable surveying practice (express purpose implicit across reg 4, reg 8, regs 22A–22B, reg 54). That is, they convert field work into reproducible, lodgable records and impose minimum technical standards.\n\n- Practical effects and incentives:\n  - Surveyors must invest time and money in compliance: maintain detailed field records (reg 8), initial and date pages (reg 17(2)), calibrate equipment regularly (reg 20), and place and describe specified marks (reg 36, 37, 38). Those are direct compliance costs borne by surveyors and likely passed on to clients.\n  - The Board and Surveyor General exercise discretion through guidelines and authorisations (regs 3A, 26A). That discretion determines implementation detail (eg. approved map grids, re‑establishment methods in regs 22A–22B, 26A(3)) and therefore affects how onerous or prescriptive compliance is in practice.\n  - Time limits (eg. lodging field records within 6 months — reg 8(3); final marking within 14 days after practical completion in special survey areas — reg 55BB(6)) create scheduling and operational constraints for surveyors and developers.\n\n**Costs, trade‑offs and implementation risk**\n\n- Compliance burden: detailed technical specifications (measurement precision, marking sizes, placement and recording) impose ongoing operational costs on surveyors (regs 9, 34, 36–39). Additional recordkeeping (certificates, network summaries) increases administrative load (regs 17, 55B, 55C, 55E).\n\n- Discretion and variability: the Board’s and Surveyor General’s power to issue guidelines and authorise alternate methods (regs 3A, 26A, 22A–22B) centralises decision‑making about standards. That enables adaptation to new technologies or conditions but also means rules can change, requiring surveyors to follow new published guidelines.\n\n- Benefits concentrated, costs dispersed: the primary, concentrated beneficiary is the State and future land users who rely on a stable cadastral record; the costs are concentrated on licensed surveyors and their clients, who must perform the work and meet record‑keeping standards.\n\n- Implementation risk depends on administrative capacity: timely processing by WALIA and clear, accessible guidelines from the Board/Surveyor General are necessary for smooth operation (see regs 3A, 8, 55F). Delays or unclear guidance create practical risk for surveyors and developers.\n\n**Who pays, who decides, and what behaviour changes**\n\n- Who pays: licensed surveyors must meet the technical and administrative requirements and incur outlays for equipment calibration, materials for marking, time for field recording and lodgment. Those costs are typically passed on to clients (see regs 8, 20, 36, 17). The State (WALIA/Surveyor General/Board) bears administrative costs of processing lodgments and publishing guidelines.\n\n- Who decides: the Board issues guidelines (reg 3A) and may authorise survey methods (reg 26A(2)); the Surveyor General approves plans, may declare special survey areas and issue directions (regs 26A(1), 22A–22B, and the definition of Surveyor General at reg 3). WALIA receives lodgments (reg 3 definition of lodge).\n\n- Behavioural changes required: surveyors must keep fuller, certified field records, use specified marking materials and sizes, connect surveys to approved map grids or geodetic stations when required, calibrate equipment regularly, lodge certificates and plans on prescribed timelines, and report damaged marks (regs 8, 17, 36, 22A–22B, 20, 25A, 51).\n\n**Selected concrete rules and timeframes (examples with section references)**\n\n- Field record must be kept for every authorised survey and lodged with plans that establish boundaries (reg 8(1), (2C), (3)).\n- Distances recorded to at least 0.005 m precision where applicable; reference and offset distances to highest practicable precision (reg 9).\n- Calibration of measuring equipment at intervals not exceeding 2 years (reg 20(1)).\n- Re‑establishment certificates to client and registered proprietor within 30 days for certain re‑establishment surveys (reg 25A(1)).\n- Penalty of $1,000 for removal/defacement of survey marks (reg 51(1)).\n- Final marking and lodgment rules for special survey areas, including mandatory connections to the State geodetic network and lodging of final certificates/field records within prescribed windows (regs 55BB, 55B, 55C, 55E, 55F).\n\n**Source’s stated aims versus trade‑offs**\n\n- The regulations’ stated and implicit aim is to secure a reliable cadastral record and to ensure professional, consistent surveying practice (reg 4; see also reg 54 and reg 55E certificates). Implementing those aims requires prescriptive technical rules and administrative steps that raise compliance costs and impose timelines on surveyors and clients.\n\n- The rules create bureaucratic decision points (guidelines and authorisations) that allow flexibility but also place a practical dependence on the Board and Surveyor General for interpretation and operational detail (regs 3A, 26A, 22A–22B). This is a trade‑off between standardisation and adaptability.\n\n**Bottom line**\n\nThese regulations are a technical and administrative rule‑set that defines how licensed surveyors must conduct, record and lodge cadastral surveys in Western Australia. They matter because they standardise practices that underpin title boundaries and property dealings, while shifting clear procedural and cost obligations onto licensed surveyors and their clients and vesting ongoing interpretive authority in the Board and the Surveyor General."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Originally enacted in 1961 as the 'Guidance of Surveyors' Regulations focusing on basic field practice and marking standards, the legislation has expanded significantly beyond its original scope. The 2013 amendments (Gazette 26 Jul 2013) represent a major restructuring: adding Part 7 for 'special survey areas' (enabling deferred marking for property development), introducing modern geodetic network requirements (regulations 22A, 22B), creating new certification regimes for re-establishment surveys (25A), and incorporating contemporary environmental considerations (regulation 50). The regulations now function as a comprehensive code covering not just technical surveying practice but also development facilitation, consumer protection (requiring disclosure to purchasers in 55BB), and integration with modern digital land information systems. The original 1961 regulations ran to approximately 8 pages; the 2013 reprint spans 31 pages with substantially denser technical requirements."},"complexity_factors":["52-year legislative history with 15+ amendment instruments creating a fragmented structure (evidenced by numerous 'deleted' and 'inserted' notations)","Extensive cross-referencing between regulations, guidelines, and multiple Acts (Licensed Surveyors Act 1909, Land Administration Act 1997, Mining Act 1978, Land Information Authority Act 2006)","Nested conditional requirements with multiple thresholds (e.g., different marking specifications based on area: >4 ha, 4,000 m²–4 ha, <4,000 m²; different accuracy standards for city/suburban vs rural; different timeframes for special survey areas)","Technical surveying terminology throughout (azimuth, misclose, geodetic station, convergence, departure, latitude in surveying context) requiring domain expertise","Multiple certificate forms with specific formatting requirements embedded in Tables within regulations","Dual nomenclature system (regulations originally titled 'Guidance of Surveyors' but renamed 'General Surveying Practice' while maintaining original numbering)","Conditional exceptions allowing alternative methods when standard approaches are 'inappropriate' or 'not reasonably available', creating discretionary gaps"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations set out the professional rules that licensed surveyors in Western Australia must follow when conducting land surveys. They cover everything from how surveyors should behave professionally, to the technical details of measuring land, marking boundaries with physical posts and pegs, keeping detailed field notes, and drawing up final plans.\n\n**Key things the rules require:**\n\n- **Professional conduct**: Surveyors must work accurately, disclose any problems they find, and share information with the Surveyor General (the government's chief surveyor).\n- **Field records**: Surveyors must keep detailed notebooks showing exactly what they measured and found on the ground, then lodge (officially submit) these records with the Western Australian Land Information Authority.\n- **Accuracy standards**: There are strict limits on how much error is allowed in measurements — for example, angles must be precise to within 10-15 seconds in cities, and distances must close within 1:8000 accuracy in urban areas.\n- **Physical marking**: Boundaries must be marked with specific types of posts or pegs depending on the land size — from hardwood posts for large rural properties to smaller pegs for suburban blocks. Reference marks must be placed to help future surveyors find the boundaries again.\n- **Special survey areas**: In designated development areas, surveyors can lodge plans before final marking is complete, provided they meet extra requirements for control networks and certificates.\n- **Certificates**: Surveyors must sign formal certificates taking legal responsibility for their work on both field records and final plans.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Licensed surveyors working in Western Australia\n- Property owners getting land surveyed\n- Government agencies managing land titles and development\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThese rules ensure property boundaries are recorded accurately and consistently. This prevents disputes between neighbours, protects property rights, and ensures the government's land records are reliable. If surveyors break these rules, they can face disciplinary action including potential loss of their licence."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"summary":{"complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope cannot be assessed as the legislative text is unavailable. No comparison between original intent and current provisions is possible from the retrieved content."},"complexity_factors":["No legislative content is available to assess — the source page returned a 'not found' error","Cannot evaluate technical complexity, cross-references, definitions, or operative provisions","The minimal score of 1 reflects the absence of analysable content, not simplicity of the underlying law"],"plain_english_summary":"The Licensed Surveyors (Guidance of Surveyors) Regulations 1961 are a Western Australian secondary law likely setting out professional guidance and conduct for licensed surveyors — affecting surveyors, landowners, and anyone relying on legal boundary surveys. Dated 1961, the regulations may be outdated, amended, repealed, or replaced; check the WA legislation website or PCO helpdesk for the current text."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/licensed-surveyors-guidance-of-surveyors-regulations-1961","history":"/api/acts/licensed-surveyors-guidance-of-surveyors-regulations-1961/history","analysis":"/api/acts/licensed-surveyors-guidance-of-surveyors-regulations-1961/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/licensed-surveyors-guidance-of-surveyors-regulations-1961/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/licensed-surveyors-guidance-of-surveyors-regulations-1961/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/licensed-surveyors-guidance-of-surveyors-regulations-1961/documents"}}