{"id":"standard-survey-marks-regulations","name":"Standard Survey Marks Regulations","slug":"standard-survey-marks-regulations","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"wa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":182029,"registerId":"wa-standard-survey-marks-regulations-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Standard Survey Marks Regulations","content":"![Crest]()Western Australia\n\nSTANDARD SURVEY MARKS ACT 1924\n\nStandard Survey Marks Regulations 1935\n\nWestern Australia\n\nStandard Survey Marks Regulations 1935\n\nContents\n\n1AA. Citation 1\n\n1A. Interpretation 1\n\n1. Surveys to be carried out by licensed surveyor 2\n\n2. Surveys to be in accordance with regulations 2\n\n3. Angular measurements 2\n\n4. Linear measurements 2\n\n5. Records 3\n\n6. Permissible error 3\n\n7. Standard Survey Mark 3\n\n8. Position of standard mark at road intersections 3\n\n9. Measurements at road intersections 4\n\n10. Field notes and plans to be lodged 4\n\n11. Form of surveyors certificate 4\n\n12. Inspection of plans 4\n\n13. Copy of approved plans to Registrar of Titles etc. 5\n\n14. Care, control and maintenance of Standard Survey Marks 5\n\n15. Interfering with Standard Survey Marks 5\n\n16. Alteration of Standard Survey 5\n\n17. Surveyor to report movement or destruction 6\n\nNotes\n\nCompilation table 7\n\nDefined terms\n\n  \n\nWestern Australia\n\nSTANDARD SURVEY MARKS ACT 1924\n\nStandard Survey Marks Regulations 1935\n\nDepartment of Lands and Surveys,\n\nPerth, 30th January 1935.\n\n4109/94\n\nIT is hereby notified, for general information, that His Excellency the Lieutenant‑Governor in Executive Council has been pleased to approve, under Section 7 of “The *Standard Survey Marks Act 1924*,” of the Regulations set out hereunder being made for the purpose of the said Act: —\n\n##### 1AA. Citation\n\nThese regulations are the *Standard Survey Marks Regulations 1935*.\n\n[Regulation 1AA inserted: SL 2021/151 r. 4.]\n\n##### 1A. Interpretation\n\nIn these regulations —\n\n  Authority means the Western Australian Land Authority established by the *Land Information Authority Act 2006* section 5.\n\n[Regulation 1A inserted: Gazette 29 Dec 2006 p. 5911.]\n\n##### 1. Surveys to be carried out by licensed surveyor\n\nAll Standard surveys shall be performed under the instructions of the Surveyor General, and must be carried out by Surveyors licensed under “The *Licensed Surveyors Act 1909*.”\n\n##### 2. Surveys to be in accordance with regulations\n\nNo Standard surveys shall be accepted nor approved by the Surveyor General unless same are in accordance with these Regulations, and such amendments thereof, as may from time to time be authorised.\n\n##### 3. Angular measurements\n\nA micrometer theodolite, or other theodolite approved by the Surveyor General, of not less than five inches in diameter, and with sensitive bubbles, shall be used on all Standard surveys, and angles read with the greatest possible accuracy. At least four repetitions of each angle shall be made, both verniers or both microscopes being read at each repetition, and the whole of the readings being recorded in the field record. One half of the repetitions of the angles should be taken with circle right, the other with circle left, and a note to this effect must be made in the field record.\n\n[Regulation 3 amended: SL 2021/151 r. 5.]\n\n##### 4. Linear measurements\n\nLinear measurements shall be made with a steel or invar band, tested frequently with the Authority’s standard. A constant tension, to be shown in the field record, shall be applied and measurements corrected, where necessary for temperature. The temperature shall be observed as each length is taken, and recorded in field notes. The method of chaining shall be as approved by the Surveyor General.\n\n[Regulation 4 amended: Gazette 29 Dec 2006 p. 5912; SL 2021/151 r. 6.]\n\n##### 5. Records\n\nAll work performed in the field, with temperature and other corrections shall be fully recorded, while in each field record the temperature and tension at which the chain used is standard shall be plainly noted. Each page of a field record where notes appear shall be initialed by the Surveyor and shall bear the date on which the survey was made.\n\nThe following certificate shall be signed by the Surveyor at the end of the field record —\n\nThis is to certify that these field notes have been taken in the field by me personally and are the actual results of the observations and measurements\n\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n\nLicensed Surveyor.\n\nDate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n\n[Regulation 5 amended: SL 2021/151 r. 7.]\n\n##### 6. Permissible error\n\nThe limiting error of closure shall be one half link per mile: provided that, in special circumstances, approved by the Surveyor General, any other limit may be allowed.\n\n##### 7. Standard Survey Mark\n\nThe Standard Survey Mark shall be of such a nature as may be determined upon by the Surveyor General\n\n##### 8. Position of standard mark at road intersections\n\nAt street or road intersections, the position of the Standard mark shall, as far as possible, be determined with due regard to the nature and convenience of traffic, but subject thereto, the mark shall be placed in such a position as to form a starting point for the standard traverse of such streets or roads, and to enable radiations to be recorded to the corners of each section.\n\n##### 9. Measurements at road intersections\n\nAccurate measurements shall be made from the Standard Survey Mark to each section corner and the angle to the standard traverse carefully observed. The distance between each section corner across the street or road shall be carefully measured, and each section corner be connected to any building, wall, or other improvements in the vicinity.\n\n##### 10. Field notes and plans to be lodged\n\nField notes and plans of all Standard surveys shall be lodged with the Authority. The plans shall be drawn to a scale approved by the Surveyor General, and in such a manner as to show clearly the details at the street corners.\n\n[Regulation 10 amended: Gazette 29 Dec 2006 p. 5912.]\n\n##### 11. Form of surveyors certificate\n\n  The following certificate, signed and dated by the Surveyor, shall be written or printed on every plan: —\n\nI hereby certify that this Standard survey was performed by me personally in strict accordance with the Regulations, under the *Standard Survey Marks Act 1924*,and that this plan is in all respects accurate.\n\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n\nLicensed Surveyor\n\nDate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n\n##### 12. Inspection of plans\n\nThe inspection and examination of all plans, field records, and computations shall be entrusted to such officers as shall be specially deputed by the Surveyor General, and such officers shall be responsible to see that the Regulations have been adhered to.\n\n[Regulation 12 amended: SL 2021/151 r. 8.]\n\n##### 13. Copy of approved plans to Registrar of Titles etc.\n\nWhen any plan showing any Standard Survey has been approved, certified copies of same shall be supplied by the Surveyor General to the Registrar of Titles, the chief executive officer of the department principally assisting in the administration of the *Public Works Act 1902*, and the Local Authority.\n\n[Regulation 13 amended: Gazette 29 Dec 2006 p. 5912.]\n\n##### 14. Care, control and maintenance of Standard Survey Marks\n\nThe care, control, and maintenance of Standard Survey Marks shall be vested in the Surveyor General, who shall at all times have access thereto, and may take proceedings for the recovery of penalties for any breach of the clauses relating to Standard Survey Marks.\n\n##### 15. Interfering with Standard Survey Marks\n\nWhen any person, Local Authority, or Government Department proposes to carry out any work which would be likely to interfere with any Standard Survey Mark, such person, Local Authority or Government Department shall give notice to the Surveyor General, who shall, where advisable, take all necessary steps to safeguard such Mark, and the proposed work shall not be commenced until advice has been received from the Surveyor General that such steps have been taken. The cost of any work carried out by the Surveyor General under this clause shall be paid by and be recoverable from such person, local authority or Government Department.\n\n##### 16. Alteration of Standard Survey\n\nIf any alteration of any Standard Survey be made by the Surveyor General, he shall record such alteration on the plans retained by the Authority and on the certified copies supplied to the Registrar of Titles, the chief executive officer of the department principally assisting in the administration of the *Public Works Act 1902*, and the Local Authority, and such certified copies shall be delivered to the Surveyor General on demand to enable such alterations to be made.\n\n[Regulation 16 amended: Gazette 29 Dec 2006 p. 5912.]\n\n##### 17. Surveyor to report movement or destruction\n\nAny Surveyor who in the course of his profession finds that a Standard Survey Mark has been moved or destroyed, shall forthwith report the fact to the Surveyor General.\n\n![]()\n\nNotes\n\nThis is a compilation of the *Standard Survey Marks Regulations* and includes amendments made by other written laws. For provisions that have come into operation see the compilation table.\n\nCompilation table\n\n| **Citation** | **Published** | **Commencement** |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| *Standard Survey Marks Regulations* | 1 Feb 1935 p. 200‑1 | 1 Feb 1935 |\n| *Standard Survey Marks Amendment Regulations 2006* | 29 Dec 2006 p. 5911‑12 | 1 Jan 2007 (see r. 2 and *Gazette* 8 Dec 2006 p. 5369) |\n| *Lands Regulations Amendment (Surveys) Regulations 2021* Pt. 2 | SL 2021/151 31 Aug 2021 | 1 Sep 2021 (see r. 2(b)) |\n\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\nAuthority 1A\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"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"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Amendments modernise administrative and procedural details (eg definition of the Authority, lodging plans with the Authority, updated inspection delegation and instrument approvals) but do not expand the core regulatory scope. The regulations still govern standards for surveys and marks, duties of the Surveyor General and licensed surveyors, and obligations on third parties regarding interference and cost recovery."},"complexity_factors":["Technical measurement requirements (theodolite dimensions, repetitions, tension, temperature corrections, permissible closure error)","Detailed record‑keeping and certification obligations for surveyors (field notes, signed certificates)","Operational discretion vested in the Surveyor General to approve methods, instruments, and alterations","Inter-agency interactions and notification duties (Surveyor General, Authority, Registrar of Titles, local authorities, Public Works chief executive)","Cost recovery duty when third parties’ works may interfere with marks","Amendments updating administrative references (definition of Authority, lodging with Authority) creating cross‑statutory links"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations set technical and administrative rules for “Standard surveys” in Western Australia: who may perform them (licensed surveyors under the Surveyor General’s instruction), the required instruments and measurement methods, record‑keeping, lodging of plans, placement and maintenance of survey marks, and procedures when marks are disturbed. They affect licensed surveyors, the Surveyor General (and the Authority), local authorities and government departments by requiring compliance with specified measurement, certification and notification duties and making responsible parties liable for costs to safeguard or alter marks."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulations remain tightly focused on their original purpose: establishing technical standards for survey marks and the surveys that create them. The 2006 and 2021 amendments merely updated institutional references (replacing 'Department of Lands and Surveys' with 'Western Australian Land Authority') and modernised language without expanding the scope."},"complexity_factors":["Only 1 defined term ('Authority') in the interpretation section","Straightforward procedural structure with 17 short regulations","Minimal cross-referencing — only references to the parent Act (Standard Survey Marks Act 1924) and related legislation (Licensed Surveyors Act 1909, Land Information Authority Act 2006, Public Works Act 1902)","Technical but clear requirements (specific equipment sizes, measurement tolerances like 'half link per mile')","No nested exceptions or conditional logic beyond simple provisos ('provided that in special circumstances...')","Length is approximately 6 pages with simple formatting"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this legislation does:**\n\nThese regulations set out the technical rules for creating and maintaining **Standard Survey Marks** in Western Australia — physical reference points used by surveyors to accurately measure land boundaries and map property.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n* **Licensed surveyors** — they must follow strict procedures when conducting \"Standard surveys\" (official surveys that establish these reference marks)\n* **The Surveyor General** — oversees the entire system, approves equipment and methods, and controls the marks\n* **The Western Australian Land Authority** — receives and stores all survey records and plans\n* **Local councils, government departments, and property owners** — anyone planning construction work that might disturb a survey mark must notify the Surveyor General first\n\n**Key requirements:**\n\n* Surveys must use approved precision instruments (theodolites with 5-inch diameter, steel or invar measuring bands)\n* Surveyors must take multiple measurements, record temperatures, apply corrections, and sign certificates verifying accuracy\n* Marks must be placed strategically at road intersections to serve as starting points for future surveys\n* All field notes and plans must be lodged with the Land Authority\n* **Damaging or moving a Standard Survey Mark is prohibited** — anyone planning work near one must get approval first\n* Surveyors must report any damaged or moved marks immediately\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThese marks form the backbone of Western Australia's land title system. They ensure property boundaries are consistent and legally defensible. Without them, disputes over land boundaries would be chaotic, and infrastructure projects could be built in the wrong locations. The regulations ensure every surveyor works to the same high standard, creating reliable records that last for generations."},"summary":{"complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Cannot assess scope — no legislative text was provided for analysis."},"complexity_factors":["No legislative content was provided — the submission contains only a website error/redirect page","Unable to assess complexity without actual legislative text"],"plain_english_summary":"**No legislation content available.**\n\nThis submission does not contain any actual legislative text. The page returned is an error/redirect notice from the Western Australian Parliamentary Counsel's Office website, indicating that the URL for the *Standard Survey Marks Regulations* (WA) is no longer valid due to website upgrades.\n\n**What this means for you:** No analysis of the *Standard Survey Marks Regulations* can be provided based on this content. To access the actual regulations, visit the Western Australian legislation website and search for \"Standard Survey Marks Regulations\" directly using the site's search or menu functions."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/standard-survey-marks-regulations","history":"/api/acts/standard-survey-marks-regulations/history","analysis":"/api/acts/standard-survey-marks-regulations/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/standard-survey-marks-regulations/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/standard-survey-marks-regulations/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/standard-survey-marks-regulations/documents"}}