The life and times of a Chainman
In the often-overlooked world of land surveying, there exists a breed of professionals who measure the earth's dimensions with nothing but chains, tapes, and a good sense of humour - the survey chainman. These unsung heroes of precision play a pivotal role in ensuring that the ground beneath our feet is accurately mapped out, with a dash of wit and a sprinkle of practicality.
While modern technology has crept into the surveying world, survey chainmen hold onto their classic tools like a proverbial pirate clutching a treasure map. Armed with chains and tapes, they weave through bushes and leap over boulders, all while making sure not to trip over their own measurements (or each other!).
In a world of land surveying, precision is key. A missed measurement of a misrecorded angle could lead to a misplaced building or a legal dispute hotter than a freshly calibrated laser. But amidst the seriousness, survey chainmen bring a touch of levity to the field. Imagine their banter as they debate whether a certain landmark is 'eleven and a half chains to the west' or 'just a stone throw away' - accuracy with a side of sarcasm.
For many survey chainmen, the journey doesn't end with a measuring tapes and muddy boots. Some aspire to become licensed surveyors, mastering the art of cartography and legal boundaries. Others find joy in the camaraderie of the field, swapping stories of encounters with landowners who swear their property line extends to the moon.
So, the next time you see a surveyor's team out in the wild, spare a thought for the unsung heroes - the survey chainmen. They're the ones ensuring your neighbour's fence isn't encroaching on your prized rose garden, all while keeping spirits high and the measurements even higher. After all, in the world of surveying, where precision meets practicality, a good laugh and a steady hand are as essential as the North Star.
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Charting the future generation of Surveyors
Peter from our Auckland office has his boys career paths set out from a young age. They are learning what their Dad does at work. Training the next generation of Surveyors runs in the blood, Pete’s Dad is a lector at Unitech teaching Surveying. Through Pete’s chats with his kids, they are developing important life skills such from problem solving, time management and particularly in the context of surveying, the importance of thorough checking.
“I can already see how these traits are beginning to shape the kids’ education. For example, instead of simply completing mathematical division questions for homework, they tend to use multiplication to CHECK their answer. It’s wonderful to observe how these small but crucial habits are becoming part of their problem-solving approach”
Introducing Tom, our new Resource Mangement Planner
Tom has joined RPC in their Mount Maunganui office as a Resource Management Planner. He is a Tauranga local and enjoys getting out on the water, be it salt or freshwater, for a weekend of fishing.
Having graduated from Waikato University with a BEP, Tom went on to work with Tauranga City Council as a consent’s planner for a number of years before heading off overseas. Tom returned home where he found work with the Department of Conservation as a RMA Planner working on delivering improved conservation outcomes through nationally significant consenting projects and engagement in district and regional plans. Tom is excited to be a part of the team here at RPC and is looking forward to getting you know you all.
What is Planning?
Put simply Planning directs what land owners can and can’t do on their property under the Resource Management Act 1991.
The truth is Planning is more than just ‘red tape’. It has a significant bearing on how communities are shaped and how the environment is protected. Planners work revolves around balancing the demands on land with the needs of the community.
Hiring a professional planner to write your resource consent application offers several advantages over other approaches:
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Expertise in Regulations and Requirements:
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Planners are well-versed in local regulations, district plans, and the Resource Management Act (RMA). They ensure your project aligns with legal requirements, minimising the risk of delays or non-compliance.
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Navigating Complex Processes:
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District and regional plans can be lengthy and intricate. Experienced planners efficiently navigate these documents, saving you time and effort.
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Tailored Solutions:
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Planners customise your consent application based on your specific project. They address unique challenges, such as environmental impact assessments or heritage considerations.
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Efficient Communication with Councils:
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Planners understand council processes and terminology. They communicate effectively with local authorities, streamlining the approval process.
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Cost-Effective Approach:
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While hiring a planner involves a fee, it often saves costs in the long run. Avoiding mistakes or rejections due to incomplete applications can prevent costly delays.
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In summary, a professional planner ensures your resource consent application is thorough, compliant, and well-prepared, ultimately enhancing your project’s chances of success.
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Your Pets Are Curious About Surveying Too!
Pets, with their unyielding curiosity, often become unexpected companions to land surveyors as they diligently work to map out the terrain and property boundaries. Your goats, cats, dogs, cows and chickens have followed our survey teams around your properties in recent months – some venture out to inspect the commotion, few scatter and most follow! Cats, ever the vigilant observers, perch on nearby fences, their eyes following the surveyors' every move with intense interest. Dogs, tails wagging with excitement, eagerly investigate the survey equipment. And goats, cows and chickens, they follow your every step!
With an estimated 64% of New Zealand households having pet ownership, it is a near daily occurrence that the survey teams meet your pets. Luckily the bigger animals tend to be chained up or enclosed in the backyard, otherwise we all hear a funny story during our Friday afternoon wind-down chips and drink.
We look forward in meeting your pet companions on our next adventure 🐶
By Paul Harvey
Landslide Monitoring
Our dedicated survey team is diligently monitoring the houses atop the recently shifted terrain following the landslide. Armed with the precision of a Total Station, we're conducting x, y, z measurements – a crucial aspect of our detailed monitoring surveys. These precise measurements are not just data points; they are key to assessing the structural integrity of each existing lot above the slip area.
Our focus is unwavering as we work to provide residents with accurate insights into any changes. The Total Station accompanied with post processing technology in the office enables us to capture the slightest shifts, ensuring that safety remains paramount.
These monitoring surveys aren't just about measurements; they're a commitment to the well-being of those living on the edge of change. We'll continue utilising the latest technology to keep everyone informed and secure in the wake of this natural event.
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The Landing Business Park
The Landing is a new business park at Auckland Airport catering to logistics, technology and light industrial sectors. It encompasses 175 hectares and is home to some of the world’s largest logistics companies.
For the past 8 years RPC has been assisting contractors in providing as-builts of the new drainage assets at this new business park. An As-Built Plan typically shows the final position and level of new infrastructure assets. They are usually required by Councils to ensure the assets meet engineering requirements and that this information can be loaded into GIS systems for an up-to-date record.
We also inspect the condition of the new drainage and alert the client/drainlayer of any damage that has occurred during construction.
Once a plan has been accepted, payment received and inspections completed, a completion certificate is issued and Council will take over ownership of any Public assets.
The Importance of a Site Survey and Site Plan
At the start of any subdivision development the initial critical survey is for a site plan of the property. This provides you with all the base information required for the future development.
The site plan will pick up the site and boundary ground levels, any existing building locations in relation to the legal boundaries, manholes and above ground services, street furniture including vehicle crossings, kerb, footpath and any power poles, and stormwater cesspits.
The plan forms the basis of the scheme plan for subdivision and can also be used for any engineering design required. The plan can also be used by an architect for the future house design.
So the importance of a good clear, detailed site survey should not be underestimated.
House Set Out in the Kaimai Ranges
Rodney recently had the pleasure of setting out a house situated in the lower Kaimai Ranges with gorgeous panoramic views over the Western Bay Area.
Building a house is an intricate process that begins long before the first brick is laid, or the foundation is poured. A land surveyor's role in setting out a house cannot be overstated. Their meticulous work in mapping the property, identifying boundaries, and transferring architectural plans to the site is essential for a successful construction project. By ensuring precision and accuracy, land surveyors play a fundamental role in creating not just houses but homes that stand the test of time. Their expertise contributes to the integrity, safety, and legal compliance of every structure, making them an indispensable part of the construction process.
Marking the Journey & School of Surveying's 60th Anniversary
“Marking the Journey” could not have been a better theme for this year’s conference as it was the School of Surveying’s 60th anniversary. The theme also aligned with the republished autobiography of Archie Bogle in the Part I of the three-part book, ‘The Measure of the Man’, allowing us to look back in time to allow us to reflect and appreciate the Journey that has been. “Walking backwards into the future”, a phrase thrown around at the conference, reminding us, that to best prepare ourselves for the future we need to look into the past.
The three-day conference was jam-packed with informative and educating presentations from modernising Landonline, challenges in the City Rail Link project, challenges in large scaled brownfield development from the Piritahi alliance, to a panel discussion on the cadastral system moving to NZTM 2000 and many more interesting presentations.
Upon arriving in Dunedin on the first day, I attended an afternoon session on survey capture in Landonline and in a group we worked through a challenging boundary definition.
If there was a cadastral job to bring out all the cadastral tools out of the toolbox, it was this example. Uplifting the limitations of a parcel that is limited as to parcels, intersections of bearings, half angle calculations, occupation age investigation, questions of adverse possession and questioning what the original intention was of the surveyor, were all required as a minimum to get started.
A job of this complexity required no stone to be left unturned. As a surveyor expecting to sit the professional examination interviews in April 2024, these are the kinds of presentations and group discussions which I can benefit from.
Overall, it was an electric couple of days in the lecture theatres also in the link where it was great to meet former classmates, former lecturers and friends.
The three-day conference was a blast!