It’s likely that you might already have been asked for a feature survey if you’re lodging a Development Application (DA) or are planning works that will require council sign-off.
But what’s not always clear is when exactly a feature survey is required, or what should be included in order for you to most easily avoid the headaches of delays, RFIs, or the risk of rejected submissions.
Understanding this early can prevent weeks of frustration later, so let’s go over everything you need to know about the importance of feature surveys for council approvals now.
Firstly, what is a feature survey?
A feature survey is also known as a detail survey, topographic survey, or feature and level survey. Essentially, it maps the existing physical conditions of a site (including structures, natural elements and services) along with ground levels and contours.
Feature surveys are essential for almost every kind of construction or development project, from architectural and building design to town planning and DA preparation, civil design works (stormwater, earthworks, access), engineering assessments, subdivisions and reconfigurations, and more.
Designers, planners, and engineers rely on this information to prepare drawings that reflect what’s actually on site. Without a feature survey, your team will be stuck designing in the dark. And councils won’t accept guesswork when it comes time to organise proper regulations.
When is a feature survey required by the council?
Like most national councils, the Brisbane City Council requires that site plans are based on accurate survey data. That means that satellite images, hand-drawn sketches, or other types of old, outdated plans won’t be accepted.
You’ll need a feature survey most typically if you’re:
- Lodging a Development Application (DA)
- Applying for a Reconfiguring a Lot (ROL) or subdivision
- Designing any new dwelling, extension or addition
- Working near site boundaries or neighbouring properties
- Designing infrastructure like driveways, retaining walls or drainage
- Developing in flood, slope, or bushfire overlay zones
What happens if you don’t provide a survey?
Choosing not to provide a proper feature survey, or relying on a low-detail version, can end up slowing your project down significantly if you’re provided with an RFI (Request for Information). We’ve seen countless projects stalled simply because the survey data didn’t meet council or consultant requirements.
Councils may refuse to assess the application until the accurate survey data is supplied, and planners or certifiers might reject designs that can’t be verified against real-world conditions. In some cases, more accurate survey information is obtained later, forcing costly redesign work.
What should be included in a council-ready feature survey?
A feature survey that will actually move your project forward needs to include:
- Contour lines and spot levels (RLs)
- Location of structures (i.e., buildings, sheds, fences, walls, etc.)
- Vegetation, trees, gardens, and othersignificant flora
- Visible utilities, stormwater connections, and other services
- Kerb, footpath and road levels
- Boundary alignment based on title data
- Easements and legal encumbrances
- Datum and orientation to MGA or local coordinate system
Sonto’s surveys make sure you move faster through council approvals
Sonto has enough surveying experience to know that, in the world of construction or development, time equals money – especially when your capital is tied up in timelines, milestones, and specific deliverables.
Since we know how costly it can be to go without council approvals, our feature surveys are designed to help your project:
- Lodge earlier
- Avoid the risk of costly redesigns
- Move quickly through planning approval
- Provide downstream consultants with everything they need upfront
Our 2-3 week turnaround means you don’t lose months just waiting for survey data. And because we align every survey to legal title boundaries, you can submit without worrying about any costly surprises later on down the track.
So, if you now know the importance of a feature survey that’s accurate, complete, and delivered fast for your council approvals, don’t wait or let a basic survey be the reason your project stalls. You won’t have to wait 6-8 weeks for data you needed yesterday, when you can contact Sonto for fast, council-ready feature surveys that keep your project moving forward today.