Smith Land Surveyors

Our Mission:

To define boundaries, unlock land value and protect development integrity.

Our Core Values:

• CLIENTS

The centre of our business

Smith Land Surveyors exists to help our clients achieve their land development goals. We value their position as property owners or property professionals and believe our clients should know where they stand when it comes to their land and their project. We’re a deep well of surveying insights and expertise and enjoy sharing our knowledge with our clients to help them avoid risk, think big and get the most out of their project. Our clients are our focus. Our team thrives on delivering exceptional service. And we actively encourage client feedback.

• QUALITY

Quality over quantity

We are perfectionists and treat all projects as though they were our own. Our experienced team of licensed surveyors and development consultants deliver high quality land surveying and development planning services to help our clients proceed with confidence and certainty.

• INTEGRITY

Accountability is the best policy

As licensed surveyors it is our duty to protect the integrity of Victoria's legal system of land boundaries (The Cadastre). We value our position in our professional community, and always ensure that our team operates with sound moral and ethical principles to define, manage and protect the legalities of land ownership and property development. No matter how big or small their project is, our clients can trust our team to deliver an honest product with accountable service.

• INNOVATION

Let's do it better

We value improvement. Without innovation we would still be using links and chains to perform surveys. Our talented team actively seeks new tools, technology and techniques to provide our clients with greater data accuracy and efficiency.

• PROFESSIONALISM

Knowledge is power

Our expertise as licensed surveyors provides us with a unique position to legally define, manage and protect land ownership for our clients. We are committed to maintaining our knowledge in cadastral law, planning and titles by meeting the standards of our governing body (The Surveyors Registration Board of Victoria) and fostering industry succession through training of graduate surveyors to become licensed surveyors.

BOUNDARY (CADASTRAL) SURVEYS

A Boundary Survey is a legally binding, accurate diagram of your property’s boundaries.

Our Licensed Land Surveyors investigate the survey history of your property and use the latest equipment and technology to scientifically measure and re-define your boundaries. We present our findings in a detailed plan and/or report, which becomes a legal document once registered with the Titles Office.

Only a Licensed Land Surveyor registered under the Surveying Act 2004 can perform a Boundary Survey (aka Cadastral Survey). The results feed into The Cadastre (regulated by the state government) – the ever-changing, overarching network of land administration that provides the information required for your Land Title.

Titles Office, councils, builders, solicitors and even fencing contractors trust the accuracy of the data from your Boundary Plan.

ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION SURVEYS

Surveys designed for the construction world.

For engineers and construction teams, Engineering and Construction Surveys provide exact measurements on the positioning of your projects, and how they are progressing on the ground in comparison to your design plans.

Our survey team will work with you to develop a sound understanding of your project brief and provide professional surveying services to make sure your structure is planned and built within set tolerances, and complies with quality standards and building regulations.

SUBDIVISION AND DEVELOPMENT

Thinking about completing a backyard development? Or looking to add a large-scale subdivision to your development portfolio? Whatever your plans, our team of experienced Licensed Land Surveyors and development consultants can facilitate your development project from initial feasibility investigations through to completion of subdivision.

If you’re in the market to develop property you’ll need a team of industry experts – legal professionals, designers/architects, builders, planners and licensed surveyors – to help make it happen.

As Licensed Land Surveyors, we are generally your first call when it comes to property development. Our specialists can assess the development potential of your property and help you plan for the best possible outcome for you, your land and our community. We can get your planning permit application on the move and provide professional advice along the way to ease the property development process for you.

Whether your development is big or small, our extensive knowledge of council requirements and state planning legislation will help you get it done successfully.

FEATURE (TOPOGRAPHIC) SURVEYS

A Feature Survey is a scaled diagram of your land and its features, measured scientifically and mapped accurately so you can rely on it.

A Feature Survey (aka Topographic or Land Detail Survey) tells you the exact height and location of significant natural and manufactured features, plus ground levels and contours.

Our qualified team of Licensed Land Surveyors measure and map your property using specialist technology and equipment. We present your survey data on a detailed plan or map. Designers, builders and councils rely on the map’s information during initial design/planning stages of development.

We’re part scientist, part legal-eagle, part detective.

Some call us “suits in boots” because, although we climb all over sites using the latest equipment to collect the data you need for your project,  we also know how to follow a paper trail, prepare documentation and coordinate your planning process.

We’re a deep well of surveying insights and expertise. And we speak the language of surveying in ways that you and your lawyer,  architect, council, builder and lender understand. Your land is our field, our profession and our passion.

GLENN SMITH 

Managing Director / Licensed Surveyor 

Bachelor of Geo-informatics & Surveying – University of South Australia

Glenn brings almost a decade and a half of industry experience to Smith Land Surveyors (SLS), the boutique firm he established in 2010. Beginning as a survey assistant in Adelaide in 2003 and qualifying the following year, he honed his skills as a graduate surveyor before moving to Geelong in 2006 to take up a senior surveyor role. Since completing his Surveying Licence in 2010, Glenn has shaped our team, led our mission to deliver high quality surveying and committed to promoting the surveying profession within the community.

SEBASTIAN WITHYCOMBE 

Licensed Surveyor

Bachelor of Applied Science (Surveying) (1st Class Honours)  

Sebastian joined Smith Land Surveyors in early 2017, with the ink still fresh on his Bachelor of Surveying. While studying, he gained in-the-field experience as a part-time surveyor, doing high-rise setouts in Melbourne CBD and mapping channels along the Murray River. Since joining us, Sebastian has focused on strengthening his skills in cadastral surveying. A fast learner with loads of initiative and enthusiasm, he’s easy to teach – naturally, we have him earmarked as a future licensed surveyor on our team and have since helped him enter a Professional Training Agreement under Glenn’s supervision.

CALUM MIDDLETON 

Surveyor

Bachelor of Applied Science (Surveying)  

Calum joined Smith Land Surveyors in mid-2014 as a part-time survey assistant. With a life-long passion for maps, he’d already begun studying towards a surveying career. Calum has completed his Bachelor of Applied Science (Surveying) and is now a full time Graduate Surveyor. An enthusiastic team player with great attention to detail, Calum energetically applies his theory-based learning to the practical craft of surveying, onsite and off. We look forward to supporting him in his goals to complete his studies and gain his surveyor licence over the coming years.

LEIGH WILSON 

Surveyor

Bachelor of Applied Science (Surveying) (Honours)

Leigh joined Smith Land Surveyors in mid-2017, having already gained experience as a part-time survey assistant while studying towards a Diploma of Surveying. Since leaving secondary school, Leigh has pursued a survey-sector career path and has recently completed his Bachelor of Applied Science (Surveying) with Honours! Leigh has proven himself a fast, energetic learner who applies his theoretical knowhow and powerful eye for detail to help the team accomplish whatever’s needed on each project.

HAMISH MIDDLETON 

Survey Technician  

Diploma of Surveying (In progress)  

Hamish joined our team nearing the end of 2018 after living and working abroad in Scotland. After a short while working as a survey assistant Hamish soon discovered a passion for the industry and is currently completing his Diploma of Surveying, followed by his Advanced Diploma starting early next year. Hamish has been a valued and reliable addition to the survey team, we look forward to fostering his growth as an up and coming surveyor.

BEN WOLFRAM 

Senior Surveyor

Bachelor of Applied Science - Surveying – RMIT

HENRY GIBBS

Surveyor

JACK MILLER

Survey Technician

LIAM EDGAR

Survey Assistant

LACHLAN PFAENDER

Survey Assistant

DARCY HALL

Survey Assistant

MITCHELL COLLINS

Survey Assistant

ISAAC SCERRI

Survey Assistant

LIAM RADCLIFFE

Survey Assistant

MATTHEW STEWART

Survey Assistant

JOEL JUHASZ

Surveyor

SAM MEIER

Surveyor

WHAT ARE YOUR FEES?

We generally charge fixed price fees based on the hourly rate it will take our team to complete your survey and plan. When we quote your your survey, we take into account many variables including:

• Age and density of your area
• Available survey information about your property
• Your project requirements.

For every potential project, we provide a free, no obligation fee proposal outlining all the steps and costs involved. Once you complete your Quote Request Form we’ll usually send you a fee proposal within 3-4 working days.

HOW LONG WILL YOU TAKE TO DO MY SURVEY AND PLAN?

Our team will usually deliver your survey plan within three weeks of receiving your survey fee acceptance letter.

Site Survey: We’ll aim to be on site to perform your survey within approximately two weeks of getting your letter.

Survey Plan: Back at the office, our team of Licensed Land Surveyors will thoroughly review the survey data. Our drafting team will carefully draw up your plan ready for checking by the leading surveyor. Within approximately three weeks of receiving your acceptance letter, we’ll provide your plan to you as a PDF file.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LAND SURVEYOR AND A BUILDING SURVEYOR?

As Licensed Land Surveyors, we’re qualified to measure and map your land to determine your boundaries, exact location of all structures and surrounding properties, as well as topography, slope and geographical features of your land.  

A building surveyor’s role is to make sure your construction follows building laws, codes and construction standards.  

Depending on your project and your land, you may need to engage both a land surveyor and a building surveyor. For your protection, we encourage you to check that your land and building surveyors are both licensed and insured.  

At Smith Land Surveyors, we are experienced Licensed Land Surveyor, registered with the Surveyors Board of Victoria. We’re fully insured and will provide our certificates of currency on request. 

WHAT IS SPEAR?

SPEAR stands for Surveying and Planning through Electronic Applications and Referrals. SPEAR is a free web-based platform designed and created by the State Government of Victoria to allow subdivision planning permits and certification applications to be processed and monitored online.  

SPEAR users include Victorian councils, land surveyors, solicitors/conveyancers, referral authorities and members of the public (basic information only). Your application can be accessed by any authorised user at any time.  

Our subdivision team are trained SPEAR experts who use the system on a daily basis to lodge and co-ordinate your development planning permit and certification of subdivision applications. 

WHY DO I NEED A CONVEYANCER/SOLICITOR?

As Licensed Land Surveyors, we’re qualified to prepare and submit your new plan of subdivision with council.  

After council approves your application, you’ll need to lodge an application with Land Use Victoria to legally change title particulars. The application process is complex. We recommend you engage a legal representative (solicitor or conveyancer) to prepare and lodge your application documentation, and monitor its progress at Land Use Victoria until your new titles are issued.  

As your Licensed Land Surveyors, we will liaise with your legal representative (usually via the SPEAR online platform) as your application nears lodgement stage.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BUILDING PERMIT AND A PLANNING PERMIT?

Most land development projects will require both a building permit and a planning permit. They’re separate legal documents you obtain prior to making changes on your land.  

Planning permits authorise the use and/or development of your land (for example, subdividing land, constructing or altering a building, or starting a new use on your land).  

Building permits refer to the construction method of your building or development. You must get a building permit prepared by a building surveyor before starting any construction works.