Western Australia runs on big projects. Iron ore in the Pilbara, gold across the Goldfields, rail expansions and new energy hubs all rely on precise spatial data. Surveying underpins that data. If you’re weighing up support for a mine, a road duplication or a new plant, it helps to understand what surveyors actually deliver, which standards apply in WA, and how to select the right team.

Where surveying fits in the project lifecycle

Surveyors are involved from day one. Early works call for control networks, feature and contour mapping, and subsurface utility information. During construction, teams perform set-out for earthworks, structures and services, manage machine control models, and provide rapid as-built checks to keep works compliant. On operating mines, a mining surveyor manages pit or stope pick-ups, volume reconciliation, deformation monitoring and compliance with design. The same discipline supports rail, port and energy facilities through deformation surveys, asset capture and periodic audit.

Common techniques you’ll see on WA projects

• GNSS and total stations for control establishment, set-out and high-accuracy checks
• 3D laser scanning for rapid as-builts, clash detection and brownfield tie-ins
• UAVs and lidar for large-area mapping, stockpile volumes and hard-to-access features
• Automated monitoring using prisms, radar or scanning for pit walls, conveyors and structures
• Mobile mapping along long corridors such as rail, pipelines and highways
• SUI and locating integrated to AS5488 quality levels

Good survey teams combine these tools with disciplined QA so that every coordinate, level and model is traceable back to control.

Typical deliverables and how to read them

Survey output should be clear and construction-ready. Expect:

• Control reports and adjustment files linked to GDA2020 and MGA zones
• Feature and contour models in DWG or IFC, with layers that reflect design packages
• Machine control models with consistent surfaces, breaklines and naming conventions
• As-built models and reports showing tolerances against design
• Monitoring dashboards and exception reports with thresholds agreed in advance

If you are comparing property surveyors Perth, ask for recent examples that match your scope, not just a generic capability statement.

Survey services at a glance

Service	Typical purpose	Common outputs
Engineering set-out	Civil and structural construction	Stakeout files, checked markups, daily reports
UAV mapping	Earthworks progress and volumes	Orthophotos, DSMs, volume certificates
Laser scanning	Brownfield tie-ins, dimensional control	Registered point clouds, mesh models, clash checks
SUI to AS5488	Utility risk reduction	Quality-level report, surveyed utilities, GIS layers
Deformation monitoring	Pit walls, TSFs, structures	Trend plots, alerts, monthly summaries
Cadastral surveys	Subdivision, easements, titles	Legal plans certified by a licensed surveyor

WA-specific considerations

Remote logistics shape fieldwork. Fly-in fly-out rosters, access tracks, cyclonic weather in the north and heat management all influence program and methodology. Data connectivity can be patchy on site, so crews need offline workflows and robust sync once back in coverage. Cultural heritage obligations also apply on many tenements and infrastructure corridors; build enough time for approvals and restricted-access protocols.

For records and design coordination in Perth and the regions, lock down file naming and datum conventions early. If your design team sits interstate, spell out the MGA zone and vertical reference used on each package to avoid rework. For a brownfield site survey Perth, insist on a clash-aware model, not just 2D plans, so engineering can pick up conflicts before they reach the field.

Choosing the right survey partner

Look past the equipment list. Consider the following checks:

1. Competency and accreditation
   For cadastral deliverables, confirm you are engaging licensed surveyors Perth who can sign plans under WA legislation. For UAV works, ask for CASA RePL and ReOC details, and for monitoring systems, seek demonstration of alarm logic and data retention controls. 
2. Quality systems
   Ask for examples of control reports, GNSS baselines and scan registration statistics. A capable Perth surveyor will explain error sources, not gloss over them.
3. Local knowledge
   WA’s geology, climate and access rules vary widely. Crews who know Pilbara rail safety protocols or Main Roads WA specifications will save time at inductions and audits.
4. Integration with designers and contractors
   Agree on file formats, model naming and review cycles. If your procurement team typed land surveyors near me and picked the cheapest, make sure the deliverables still align with your BIM or machine control standards.
5. Safety and environment
   On mines, confirm alignment with the WA ground control guidance and your site’s geotechnical management plan, including survey roles in trigger action response plans. 

All in all, surveying is the quiet backbone of WA’s mining and infrastructure work. When the control network is solid, the datum is consistent and monitoring is reliable, everything downstream runs smoother. Whether you’re planning a regional road upgrade or expanding a processing plant, get survey involved early, specify GDA2020 deliverables, tie any utility scope to AS5488 quality levels, and keep safety guidance close at hand. If you need a rapid mobilisation for a corridor job, a well-briefed site survey Perth team will set you up for fewer surprises and cleaner handovers.