A contour survey is the beginning of any design process. Termed a detail and level survey, a contour survey enables us to visually understand the land’s vertical and horizontal shape, that is the topography. Once the land contours are clear to the engineers and architects, they visualize and map how much water will be flowing over the property during rainfall, where the rainwater will be collected, and where the soil might be eroded. They can visualize more important water flow characteristics, where should the roads be built, and how should the property be farmed along the contours. By using the simple base, water flow models and stream maps can be developed. Even they determine the right points for creating dams and silt traps.

The Features of A Cotour Survey
All the common features which the Contour Surveys measure constitute of –

• Title Information
• Ground Level (The meters above sea level, or else the level benchmarks to Australian Height Datum that is AHD, as needed)
• Spot Levels
• Contours
• Site coordination parallel to true North
• Existing man-made structures’ locations which include the ridge and gutter heights, heights on the subject site facing wall and the window position)
• Existing adjoining man-made structures and ancillary structures’ locations, which are the sheds, pergolas and parking
• Fences
• Visible services, meaning telecommunications pits and electricity metres
• Drains
• Kerb level and related significant kerb features
• Major vegetation, which is the width, height and often diversity measurements
• Proposed ridge and gutter heights needed for the subject

The contour surveyors include all the significant and additional features which are unique to the site and likely to impact the development, for instance, the water bodies. On request, the additional features needed by the Council, or architect and designer are added.

Why Is A Contour Survey Needed?
A few distinct instances make it clear when a Contour Survey should be conducted.

1. A new structure should be constructed or else an existing structure should be extended on the property.
2. A property’s physical features are to be pointed out and recorded for future reference.
3. All the features of a property are to be showcased for land valuation purposes.

When new developments are to be done on land, then a Contour Survey is compulsory for architects and designers to go ahead with the design process.

Architects and Designers Need Contour Surveys Mandatorily
The engineers, architects and designers need the Contour Surveys for drawing up plans and documents. The landscape’s physical features largely influence the vital design decisions which are –

• The amount of space a new structure occupies
• The place for the proposed structure to have the greatest structural integrity
• The new structure orientation to determine light exposure, wind protection and more
• The needed features for planning around, for example – a protected area.

If the design and construction are not tailored to the lot’s unique physical features, then the outcome is indeed expensive. That is why, any design, land development, building or subdivision should be preceded by a Contour Survey.

Local Council Compliance
Before a new development takes place on the land lot, a Development Application (DA) with the local council should be lodged. The Council has to review the application and ensure all the developments are in compliance with the local planning instruments, like the Development Control Plan (DCP) and the Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and the State Planning and Zoning Laws.

A Contour Survey is very much an essential component of a DA. Councils are not going to consider a lodgement without a Contour Survey because of the importance of the information needed for a successful design and construction.

Once the DA has been submitted, the Local Council will be reviewing the application together with the survey and construction plans. Next, they would be issuing one of the three verdicts –

• Approved
• Approved but subjected to conditions
• Refused

Constructions are to be done only when the local council has approved the lodged DA.

Before the design phase starts for the new development, a registered contour surveyor has to be engaged for conducting the Contour Survey. This is beginning to gather all the needed information regarding the property which will affect the new structure’s design. With the Contour Survey, a complete overview of all the property features is gathered. For instance, the Contour Surveys will note the trees, adjoining properties, existing structures, visible services and more. Through Contour Surveys, you can design development suitable to the property and prevent future problems.