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Land Surveyors Regulations

Commencement: 11 February 1985


LAND SURVEYORS REGULATIONS


Order 3 of 1985
Order 34 of 1988
Order 9 of 1991
Order 37 of 1999
Order 50 of 2003


ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS


PART 1 − INTERPRETATION

  1. Interpretation

PART 2 − REGULATIONS AFFECTING ALL LAND SURVEYS MADE UNDER SECTION 18 OF THE ACT

2. Disputes
3. Units of measurement

  1. Systems of co-ordinates and projections
  2. Maintenance of measuring instruments
  3. Presentation of surveys
  4. Permissible errors of measurement
  5. Checking of surveys

9. Information prior to survey
10. Prior approval of statutory authorities
11. Authority for entry upon land

  1. Employment of unqualified assistants

13. Fees
14. Fees chargeable by private surveyors


PART 3 − SURVEY MARKS, BOUNDARY MONUMENTS AND BOUNDARIES

  1. Design and specification of survey marks

16. Placement of survey marks
17. Line monuments and river beacons
18. Placing monument on boundary

  1. Monuments placed from computed data
  2. When monuments cannot be placed
  3. Damaged monuments to be repaired
  4. Trigonometrical stations to be repaired
  5. Missing monuments

24. Re-establishment of missing monuments
25. Redundant monuments
26. Surveys and re-establishment of boundaries


PART 4 − SURVEYS PERFORMED BY TRIANGULATION, TRILATERATION, TRAVERSE AND AIR SURVEYS

27. Guiding principle


Triangulation and Trilateration

  1. Geodetic and secondary triangulation

29. Lower order triangulation
30. Tertiary and minor triangulation

  1. Instruments used for triangulation and trilateration
  2. Method of taking triangulation observations
  3. Fixing of monuments
  4. Isolated surveys

Traverse Surveys

  1. Geodetic and secondary traverses

36. Lower order traverses
37. Angular measurement of traverses

  1. Linear measurement of traverses
  2. Surveys of curvilinear boundaries
  3. Swinging or hanging traverses
  4. Verification of terminals of traverse
  5. Verification of datum

Air Surveys
43. Air Surveys


PART 5 − SUBDIVISIONAL SURVEYS

44. Surveyor’s role

  1. Application for consent to subdivide
  2. Minimum road frontages and areas
  3. Minimum road widths

48. Reclaimed land
49. Amendments, corrections, conditions


PART 6 − FIELD NOTES

50. Field notes to be on special forms
51. Recording of triangulation observations

  1. Recording of traverse observations

53. Description of monuments
54. Method of entering field notes

  1. Erasures and corrections

56. Nomenclature
57. Cover page and index
58. Unorthodox methods
59. Topographical features


PART 7 − COMPUTATIONS

  1. Computations to be on special forms
  2. Method of entering computations
  3. Triangulation and trilateration
  4. Traverses
  5. Independent checks to be made
  6. Method of computing area
  7. Method of measuring areas
  8. Degree of accuracy of calculating areas
  9. Presentation of computation

PART 8 − PLANS

  1. Plans to be drawn on special forms

70. Scales to be used
71. Plotting of curvilinear boundaries

  1. Plotting by co-ordinates

73. General rules
74. Abutting boundaries

  1. Co-ordinates and numerical data

76. Triangulation plans
77. Colours and style of printing

  1. Topographical features
  2. Erasures or corrections
  3. Certificate

81. Authentication by the Director


PART 9 − READJUSTMENTS OF BOUNDARIES OF LAND SURVEYED BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE ACT

82. Readjustments


PART 10 − MISCELLANEOUS

83. Public access to maps and plans


SCHEDULE 1
Form A - Application for subdivisional surveys
Form B - Application for aerial surveys


SCHEDULE 2
Form A - Certificate for unqualified survey assistants
Form B - Authority to enter land
Form C - Certificate for plans surveyed


SCHEDULE 3
Prescribed Fees


SCHEDULE 4
Title Numbers for the purposes of Regulation 46(1A)


LAND SURVEYORS REGULATIONS


To provide regulations for land surveyors and for matters connected therewith.


PART 1 − INTERPRETATION


1. Interpretation

In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires –


“Act” means the Land Surveyors Act, Cap. 175;


“Board”, “Director”, “plan”, “public survey”, “survey”, and “surveyor” shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Act.



PART 2 − REGULATIONS AFFECTING ALL LAND SURVEYS MADE UNDER SECTION 18 OF THE ACT


2. Disputes

If a dispute arises between a surveyor who is not employed in the public service and the Director over the application of the regulations, either party may refer the matter to the Board. The Board shall hear and determine such dispute, and its decision shall be final.


3. Units of measurement

(1) All distances shown on plans shall be in metres and decimals of a metre.


(2) All angular measurements shall be in degrees, minutes and seconds of arc.

(3) For purposes of conversion the following standards shall be used –

Epi and islands to the South

1 metre = 4.971058 links

1 link = 0.20116442 metre

1 hectare = 247114.176 links²

Malekula and islands to the North

1 metre = 4.97097373 links

1 link = 0.20116783 metre

1 hectare = 247105.798 links²


4. Systems of co-ordinates and projections

The figure of the earth and the projection to be used in the computation of co-ordinates of any survey shall be the International (Hayford) (1924) figure having elements: semi-major axis 6378388 international metres, flattening 1/297.0, and the Transverse Mercator Projection for the island on which the survey is carried out. Details are obtainable from the Director for the Transverse Mercator Projection which are currently authorised.


5. Maintenance of measuring instruments

(1) Every surveyor shall maintain his theodolite and EDM equipment along with all other equipment in good order, and the Director may refuse to authenticate any survey which has been made with defective equipment.


(2) Every measuring band, tape, thermometer and spring balance shall be submitted to the Director before use and thereafter not less than once in every 12 months for comparison with the official bases.


(3) The Director may at any time require any surveyor to submit any measuring equipment for his inspection.


6. Presentation of surveys

(1) Every surveyor shall be personally responsible for the accuracy, fidelity, and completeness of every survey presented by him for the approval of the Director.


(2) It shall be the duty of every surveyor making any survey under these regulations to record all the relevant information that may aid in securing the accuracy and completeness of every such survey.


(3) Every surveyor shall perform sufficient work to enable him to apply a thorough check to every part of his survey.


(4) Every surveyor shall present his plan, computations and connected documents of every survey in such a manner as the Director may require, and if any surveyor forwards to the Director any plan, computation or connected document which does not conform substantially with the appropriate requirements, the Director may, at his discretion, return the plan, computation and connected documents to the surveyor and may refuse to authenticate such plan, computation or connected document until it has been made to conform with the appropriate requirements.


(5) All surveys returned to a surveyor shall be resubmitted to the Director without undue delay.


7. Permissible errors of measurement

All measurements must be made in accordance with regulations 32, 33 and 36 and the Director may refuse to authenticate any survey which contains errors in excess of those that can be expected from measurements properly carried out in the manner specified.


8. Checking of surveys

The Director may at any time direct any surveyor to check in the field any survey made by any other surveyor, and such check may include the verification of any information recorded in connection with such survey mark established under the Act or any regulations made thereunder.


9. Information prior to survey

(1) Before carrying out any survey, every surveyor shall be provided, or shall provide himself with all available information in respect of any previous survey of the parcel of land to be surveyed and of any adjoining parcel.


(2) The Director shall make available to any surveyor all technical information under his control or in his possession.


(3) There shall be paid in respect of information received under this regulation the appropriate fee.


10. Prior approval of statutory authorities

Before submitting any survey to the Director a surveyor shall ensure that approval has been obtained for a subdivision or other transaction of any parcel of land in any case where such approval is required by a law and that the survey submitted conforms with such approval.


11. Authority for entry upon land

(1) In pursuance of section 20 of the Act the Director shall furnish every surveyor with an official letter of authority which shall be in the form as set out in Form B of Schedule 2.


(2) Every surveyor shall present his letter of authority to any owner or occupier of land who demands proof that such surveyor is fully authorised to enter upon his land.


12. Employment of unqualified assistants

(1) No surveyor shall employ an unqualified survey assistant without the written approval of the Board:


Provided that the Director may give provisional approval pending the decision by the Board.


(2) When such approval is given it shall be for a period of not more than 2 years in the first instance and may thereafter be renewed for further periods at the discretion of the Board.


(3) The work done by any such assistant shall be under the direct personal control of the surveyor, who shall himself carry out a sufficient check to ensure that the work done by his assistant is correct. The surveyor shall accept full personal responsibility for all work performed by his unqualified survey assistant.


(4) The surveyor shall furnish the Director or the Board with a certificate which shall be in the form as set out in Form A in Schedule 2.


13. Fees

There shall be paid in respect of the several matters specified in Schedule 3 the several fees specified therein.


14. Fees chargeable by private surveyors

The fees in respect of private surveys shall be recommended by the Board and shall serve merely for guideline purposes.



PART 3 − SURVEY MARKS, BOUNDARY MONUMENTS AND BOUNDARIES


15. Design and specification of survey marks

(1) The design of survey marks shall be as specified by the Director, except in special circumstances which shall be set out in the report on the survey.


(2) Every new triangulation or trilateration station other than a purely auxiliary station shall be permanently marked.


(3) In third order traverses as defined in regulation 36 all traverse stations shall whenever possible be permanent points.


16. Placement of survey marks

(1) Monuments placed to define accurately the boundaries of a parcel shall be of such type as the Director may require.


(2) Where a boundary is inadequately defined and it is necessary to place a monument to define the approximate position of the boundary such monuments shall conform to the requirements of subregulation (1).


(3) With a view to facilitating the location of isolated boundary monuments, such monuments shall be referenced to any nearby telephone pole, suitable tree or other prominent physical feature.


17. Line monuments and river beacons

(1) (a) Where a rectilinear boundary intersects a curvilinear boundary and a monument as required by regulation 16 cannot be placed at the intersection, a monument shall be placed on the rectilinear boundary as near as possible to the intersection. Such monument shall be known as a line monument.


(b) Where the rectilinear boundary continues on both sides of the curvilinear boundary, line monuments shall be placed on both sections of the rectilinear boundary.


(c) Where the curvilinear boundary falls within a river or swamp the line monument shall be placed above flood level and shall be known as a river monument.


(2) When a line or river monument has been placed in accordance with regulation 16(1) the distance from the line or river monument to the actual boundary shall be measured to the precision required by regulation 71(2).


(3) All subdivisions of a parcel, the boundaries of which have been fixed, which is situated across a road reserve shall be fully monumented as self contained units.


(4) Where a curvilinear feature is adopted as a subdivisional boundary of a parcel, the boundaries of which have been fixed, the several subdivisions and any remainder shall be fully monumented as self contained units.


18. Placing monument on boundary

Where a monument is placed on a boundary line that has been fixed, it shall be proved to be on line by establishing either directly or indirectly its relationship with the terminal monuments of the line.


19. Monuments placed from computed data

Where a monument is placed from computed data, its position shall be proved by an independent field check and calculation.


20. When monuments cannot be placed

When the corner of a parcel, the boundaries of which are required to be fixed, falls within inaccessible ground where a monument cannot be placed, the position of such corner shall be permanently referenced by at least one indicatory monument placed on a boundary line as near as possible to the comer. The details of the situation shall be indicated on the plan.


21. Damaged monuments to be repaired

Where an old monument of the parcel under survey is found to be damaged, the surveyor shall repair or renew the monument, and make a record of the repairs in his field notes and notify the Director.


22. Trigonometrical stations to be repaired

(1) Every surveyor engaged on a public survey who discovers any trigonometrical or traverse station to be damaged and in need of repair shall carry out such repair as may be necessary.


(2) A surveyor not engaged on a public survey is not required to repair any damaged trigonometrical or traverse station, but he shall report in writing to the Director the name, number and position of such station and the nature of the damage he has observed.


23. Missing monuments

Missing monuments shall be noted in the surveyor's report and in order to demonstrate that he has searched in the right place the surveyor shall provide such measurement and observations as may be necessary.


24. Re-establishment of missing monuments

If a surveyor is required to re-establish a missing monument, he shall submit his field notes, computations and report to the Director.


25. Redundant monuments

Where the existence of a visible redundant monument is likely to lead to confusion, it shall be removed and replaced by an underground witness mark.


26. Surveys and re-establishment of boundaries

(1) In every survey of land where the position of a feature or monument defining the boundary of a parcel is found to differ from that indicated by the relevant previous survey, the surveyor shall exercise the greatest care −


(a) in establishing that the discrepancy actually exists;


(b) in collecting all evidence which may have a bearing on the eventual action to be taken.


(2) A careful search shall be made in the position indicated by the previous survey to ascertain whether or not any evidence of the old boundary feature or monument still exists and the position of any building or other development in the immediate vicinity of the boundary shall be recorded.


PART 4 − SURVEYS PERFORMED BY TRIANGULATION, TRILATERATION, TRAVERSE AND AIR SURVEYS


27. Guiding principle

Every surveyor shall assist, as far as is consonant with efficient and economical survey, in the establishment and increase of permanent control marks of all types throughout the Republic of Vanuatu.


Triangulation and Trilateration


28. Geodetic and secondary triangulation

All geodetic and secondary triangulation and trilateration shall be carried out under the control of the Director, and shall normally be performed by Government surveyors.


29. Lower order triangulation

(1) All new triangulation and trilateration of a lower order than geodetic or secondary required to provide general control for cadastral surveys shall be brought into harmony with existing control by methods conforming with current survey practice.


(2) When issuing survey data for such work to a surveyor, the Director may recommend either a particular sequence in the computation of new work or any special computations which the circumstances may require, and it shall be the duty of a surveyor so informed not to depart from the Director's recommendation without reasonable cause.


30. Tertiary and minor triangulation

For the purposes of regulations 31 and 32, tertiary triangulation or trilateration means triangulation or trilateration established to an accuracy which makes it suitable for use as a basis of further triangulation or trilateration; minor triangulation or trilateration means triangulation or trilateration established to a lower accuracy and suitable only as a basis for fixing local traverses and monuments.


31. Instruments used for triangulation and trilateration

(1) A micrometer or electronic theodolite of an approved pattern reading directly to one second of arc, or better, shall be used for tertiary triangulation.


(2) A micrometer or electronic theodolite of an approved pattern reading, directly to twenty seconds of arc, or better, shall be used for minor triangulation.


(3) Electronic distance measuring equipment of an approved pattern shall be used for trilateration distance measurement.


32. Method of taking triangulation observations

(1) The minimum requirement for tertiary and minor triangulation shall be two arcs observed on different zeros:


Provided that 2 rounds observed on different faces and different zeros may be sufficient for observations to points situated at a distance of not more than 2 kilometres.


(2) An arc of angular observations for triangulation shall consist of 2 rounds observed in opposite directions on the same zero, 1 round being on face left and the other on face right.


(3) For each arc a suitable reference station shall be selected and both rounds of the arc shall be closed on to it, and the misclosure of each round shall be appropriate to the class of theodolite used.


(4) The difference between measurements of any angle on different arcs shall be appropriate to the class of theodolite used.


(5) Where electronic distance measuring equipment is used sufficient observations shall be taken to eliminate any ambiguities and achieve the accuracy required by regulation 7.


33. Fixing of monuments

(1) Triangulation, trilateration, or a combination of these techniques for determining the position of monuments shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure laid down in regulations 29 to 32 and the method of computation shall conform with current survey practice.


(2) Survey marks may also be fixed by −


(a) intersection, provided at least 3 suitable rays are observed on to the point to be fixed;

(b) resection, provided at least 4 points in favourable positions for such fixing are observed;


(c) any other method which is capable of fixing a point with no less accuracy than that of the methods of intersection and resection:


Provided that no point fixed by any of the methods specified in subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this subregulation shall be used to form the basis of further triangulation or trilateration.


34. Isolated surveys

In areas where no triangulation exists a surveyor shall request instructions from the Director as to the datum and method of survey to be used.


Traverse Surveys


35. Geodetic and secondary traverses

All geodetic and secondary traverses shall be carried out under the control of the Director and shall normally be performed by Government surveyors.


36. Lower order traverses

(1) (a) All main control traverses shall be observed to third order standard;


(b) where such lines are measured by means of a measuring band all such lines shall be double-chained;


(c) where such lines are measured by means of electronic distance measuring equipment sufficient observations shall be taken to eliminate any ambiguities;


(d) all such field operations shall be appropriate to a standard of accuracy of not less than 1:20,000.


(2) (a) All other control traverses for the survey of rectilinear boundaries shall be observed to fourth order standard;


(b) field operations for such surveys shall be appropriate to a standard of accuracy of 1:10,000, but computational misclosures shall be allowed to the same degree of accuracy as the datum supplied by the Director;


(c) no surveyor shall use a loop traverse closing on his starting point if it is practicable to traverse between two previously fixed stations;


(d) when a surveyor is unable to close his work within the limits prescribed by the Director, the Director may at his discretion authorise or instruct the surveyor, to accept a lower order of misclosure, otherwise the surveyor shall close his new work by a loop traverse, orientation being confirmed in a satisfactory manner.


(3) (a) The survey of curvilinear boundaries such as roads, rivers, mean high water marks, etc., shall be made by subsidiary traverse or by air survey methods:


Provided that this regulation shall not preclude any more accurate method;


(b) such surveys of curvilinear boundaries shall be carried out to a standard of accuracy appropriate to the plotting scale of the plan of the survey.


(4) Where traverses are very short, a reasonable misclosure shall be allowed irrespective of the minimum requirements under these regulations.


37. Angular measurement of traverses

(1) A theodolite permitted by regulation 31(1) shall be used for all third order traverses where the distances are measured with electronic distance measuring equipment.


(2) A theodolite permitted by regulation 31(2) shall be used for all other third and fourth order traverses.


(3) At every traverse station of third and fourth order traverses, not less than 2 rounds of angular measurements on different faces and different zeros shall be measured.


(4) Angular measurements for subsidiary traverses, may be made either with a theodolite or a compass of approved pattern, subject to the necessity to achieve the standard of accuracy required by regulation 36(3)(b). If a compass is used, both forward and back observations must be observed at each station.


(5) It is not necessary to close rounds of traverse observations onto a reference station.


38. Linear measurement of traverses

(1) (a) All linear measurements of third and fourth order traverses shall be measured using equipment and methods appropriate to the standards of accuracy specified in regulation 36(1) and (2);


(b) slopes shall be determined by a theodolite, with a degree of precision appropriate to the standards specified in regulation 36(1) and (2), and where the slope is in excess of 10° the theodolite shall be read on both faces;


(c) all measurements shall be reduced to the horizontal at mean sea level. In addition measurements made with a measuring band shall be corrected for temperature and, where appropriate, sag.


(2) (a) All linear measurements of subsidiary traverses shall be measured using equipment and methods appropriate to the standards of accuracy specified in regulation 36(3);


(b) slopes shall be determined by a theodolite or abney level with a degree of precision appropriate to the standards specified in regulation 36(3);


(c) all measurements shall be reduced to the horizontal.


39. Surveys of curvilinear boundaries

(1) In every survey of curvilinear boundaries by the tacheometric method, distances determined by staff readings shall not normally exceed 150 metres and all 3 stadia readings on the staff shall be read.


(2) Offsets to curvilinear boundaries from a traverse line which substantially exceed 50 metres shall be set out instrumentally or geometrically and the method shall be recorded in the field notes.


40. Swinging or hanging traverses

Swinging or hanging traverses unsupported by independent checks shall not be used.


41. Verification of terminals of traverse

Where the means exist, every point of departure of a new traverse and every terminating point shall be verified by observations and/or measurements, which shall be recorded in the field notes.


42. Verification of datum

Where a previously coordinated traverse station is converted for use as a boundary monument or where such traverse station is used to place or fix a boundary monument the surveyor shall verify the station by observations and/or measurements which shall be recorded ill the field notes.


Air Surveys


43. Air surveys

(1) Air survey methods may be employed in special cases with prior written approval of the Director.


(2) All applications for aerial surveys shall be submitted to the Director and shall be in the form as set out in Form B of Schedule 1.


(3) All aerial photography shall be submitted to the Director for his inspection.



PART 5 − SUBDIVISIONAL SURVEYS


44. Surveyor’s role

A surveyor may survey land that is the subject of an application to subdivide but must adhere to the terms and conditions stated in these regulations concerning such applications.


45. Application for consent to subdivide

(1) An application made to the Director in accordance with section 12(2)(a) of the Land Leases Act, Cap. 163 shall be in the form as set out in Form A of Schedule 1 and shall state whether the subdivision is for –


(a) agricultural purposes; or


(b) the purpose of construction of dwelling houses, industrial or commercial buildings or of any other non-agricultural use.


(2) There shall be attached a statement of intended usage and a plan on durable paper or other stable medium showing −


(a) existing boundaries of the land, the subject of the subdivisions;


(b) the position of existing buildings erected on the land or less than 3 metres from the boundaries of the land; and


(c) where and as appropriate, the proposed position and width of the principal, secondary and residential roads, lanes, footpaths, gutters and drains and the proposed position of houses, septic tanks, water pipes, telephone and electricity supply lines, vehicle parking spaces, pedestrian pavements and green spaces.


46. Minimum road frontages and areas

(1) In an application submitted for the purposes of regulation 45(1)(b) of these regulations in respect of urban land, the minimum road frontage of any lot in a subdivision made in each zone classified in the Port Vila Municipal By-Law No. 9 of 1979 and any amendment thereto, or designated by Luganville Municipality shall be –


for zone A - 25 metres,
for zone B - 20 metres,
for zone C - 8 metres,
for zone D - 15 metres,


and the minimum area shall be –


for zone A - 1,000 square metres,
for zone B - 800 square metres,
for zone C - Residential - 260 square metres,
for zone C - Commercial - 500 square metres,
for zone D - 500 square metres.


(1A) Notwithstanding subregulation (1), in an application submitted for the purposes of regulation 45(1)(b), the minimum area of a lot in a subdivision made in zone D shall be 260 square metres if the lot:


(a) is the subject matter of a transfer in which the National Housing Corporation is the transferor;


(b) has a title number specified in the schedule to these regulations.


(2) In an application submitted for the purposes of regulation 45(1)(b) in respect of rural land, the minimum road frontages of any lot in a subdivision shall be 20 metres and the minimum area shall be 1,000 square metres.


47. Minimum road widths

The minimum widths of roads in any land comprising a lease to be subdivided shall be as follows −


(a) principal roads - 15 metres;


(b) secondary roads - 10 metres;


(c) residential roads, being roads primarily used for access to residences - 8 metres;


(d) lanes, being thoroughfares, primarily used for access to back premises - 4 metres;


(e) pathways, being thoroughfares primarily for the use of pedestrians - 2 metres:


Provided that the Director in his discretion may approve roads, lanes and pathways of less than minimum width where it appears to the Director that the land under subdivision cannot otherwise be fully or properly utilised or that such approval will not unreasonably prejudice future development of adjacent land.


48. Reclaimed land

Where an application is in respect of a lease of land including reclaimed land, it shall be subject to the following additional requirements −


(a) the land shall be adequately compacted and drained;


(b) the land shall have a minimum height above mean high water mark of 1.5 metres; and


(c) all lots in the subdivision shall have vehicular access including access for refuse collection vehicles.


49. Amendments, corrections, conditions

(1) The Director may require the applicant to amend his application and/or plan to fulfil such requirements as he may consider necessary and may approve the application subject to the completion of such amendments and the fulfilment by the applicant of any condition imposed by him pursuant to these regulations.


(2) If the Director is of the opinion that any building or further development is undesirable on the land which is the subject of the application or having regard to the health, amenity or convenience of the neighbourhood, that any subdivision shown on the plan is unsuitable he may refuse the application or he may, in approving the application in whole or in part, impose such conditions as are necessary to give effect to such decision.



PART 6 − FIELD NOTES


50. Field notes to be on special forms

(1) Field notes shall be made on such forms or books as the Director may from time to time specify.


(2) Every surveyor shall pay to the Director the cost price of any blank forms or books supplied to him by the Director pursuant to this regulation.


51. Recording of triangulation observations

(1) At each triangulation and trilateration station every surveyor shall, when taking observations, record in his field notes the date, time, weather conditions and degree of visibility.


(2) When it is necessary, for any reason, for a surveyor to divide his observations at any station into 2 sets, the second set shall incorporate at least 2 stations which have been observed in the first set.


52. Recording of traverse observations

All traverse observations and measurements shall be recorded in the field notes in the sequence in which they are observed or measured.


53. Description of monuments

A full description of every monument and other mark used in the course of the survey, whether placed, found and used or adopted shall be recorded in the field notes.


54. Method of entering field notes

(1) All observations and measurements made in the field shall be recorded clearly and legibly in black ink or hard pencil and shall be in such manner as the Director may from time to time specify.


(2) All entries in field notes, which are not made in the field shall be written in red ink.


(3) All entries in field notes shall be indexed and referenced in such a way that any competent person may be able to prepare a true plan therefrom and the entries shall be in such form that they have only one reasonable and correct interpretation.


55. Erasures and corrections

(1) In no circumstances shall any erasure be made in field notes.


(2) Corrections shall be made by drawing a thin line through the erroneous entry so is to have the original entry legible; the correct entry shall be written outside the erroneous entry and not across it.


(3) Corrections to field notes shall be made in the field and shall be a true record of actual measurements or reobservation and shall be initialled by the supervisor.


56. Nomenclature

(1) The letters, names or numerals, by which any monument or survey mark is described in field notes shall be written in Roman script.


(2) In choosing suitable descriptions, every surveyor shall take care to avoid nomenclature which is likely to lead to confusion and the letters I, O, S and Z shall not be used except in pronounceable words.


57. Cover page and index

(1) The cover page of field note forms or the cover of field note books shall contain such information as the Director may from time to time specify.


(2) This information shall include the standard temperature and tension for the measuring band used in the survey and where measurements have been made in catenary the weight per 100 M of the measuring band.


(3) The pages of field notes shall be numbered and an index in alphabetical and numerical order of all observations and measurements in the field notes shall be given on the reverse of the cover or cover page.


58. Unorthodox methods

When any surveyor is compelled to use unorthodox methods of survey owing to obstructions or difficulties in the field, he shall give explanatory notes and, where necessary, diagrams in the field notes to explain clearly the method he has used and recorded.


59. Topographical features

(1) Sketched topographical features in the vicinity of a monument shall be recorded, where possible, to facilitate its location.


(2) All developments on any plot such as buildings, wells, boreholes, etc., shall be surveyed. Any other development such as pipelines, which in the surveyor's opinion may involve a question of easement, right of way or any prescriptive rights shall also be surveyed.



PART 7 − COMPUTATIONS


60. Computations to be on special forms

(1) Computations shall be made on such forms or computer printouts as the Director may from time to time specify.


(2) Every surveyor shall pay to the Director the cost price of any blank forms supplied to him by the Director pursuant to this regulation.


61. Method of entering computations

Computations shall be clearly and legibly set out in black ink, and the entry of numbers or words to indicate checks on the computations shall be made in red ink. Green ink will be reserved for the use of the checking staff of the Department of Land Surveys.


62. Triangulation and trilateration

Every survey carried out by triangulation or trilateration shall be set out and computed by the direction method, or in conformity with any current standard survey method.


63. Traverses

(1) In surveys carried out by traverse methods, each separate traverse shall normally be set out in suitable form so as to demonstrate the initial datum bearing or bearings, the bearing misclosure and the consequent adjustment of bearings.


(2) The positional misclosure, its distribution through the traverse, and the finally adjusted values of all traverse points shall be demonstrated in conformity with current standard survey practice.


64. Independent checks to be made

Before any surveyor forwards any computations to the Director for authentication he shall make an independent and complete check of all his calculations, and such checks shall accompany the computations and be clearly demonstrated.


65. Method of computing area

(1) The rectilinear areas of parcels, the boundaries of which have been fixed, shall be computed mathematically.


(2) When a portion of the boundary of a parcel, the boundaries of which have been fixed, is a curvilinear boundary, the area of the parcel shall be determined partly by computing from co-ordinates and partly by planimeter determination from a drawing of the curvilinear boundary which has been drawn in conformity with regulation 71.


(3) If necessary, the co-ordinates of accurately scaled points on the drawing of the curvilinear boundary shall be used in the computation, in order to reduce to a minimum the area to be determined by the planimeter.


66. Method of measuring areas

The areas of parcels, the boundaries of which are approximate only, shall be determined by planimeter measurement.


67. Degree of accuracy of calculating areas

Areas shall normally be calculated to the nearest square metre and presented in the form of ___ ha ___ a ___ ca.


68. Presentation of computation

The computations of every survey submitted for authentication shall be preceded by −


(a) a report; and


(b) a general index to the computations; and


(c) a complete list of final co-ordinates of every point adopted or calculated in the survey; this list shall be arranged in groups comprising datum points, new triangulation, trilateration, and traverse stations, old or re-established boundary monuments and new boundary monuments, arranged in alphabetical and numerical order; and on this co-ordinate list a description of every point shall be given, and reference shall be made to the source of co-ordinates including datum plans or pages of computations.


PART 8 − PLANS


69. Plans to be drawn on special forms

(1) All plans shall be drawn in waterproof inks on such plan forms as the Director may from time to time specify.


(2) Every surveyor shall pay to the Director the cost price of any plan forms supplied to him by the Director pursuant to this regulation.


70. Scales to be used

Plans shall be plotted at the same scale as the cadastral plan of the area in which the parcel is situated:


Provided that in special circumstances plans shall be plotted at such scale as the Director may from time to time specify.


71. Plotting of curvilinear boundaries

(1) Where the consent of the Director has been obtained for the adoption of an existing survey of a curvilinear boundary, the surveyor shall −


(a) make an accurate reduction of the larger scale plan for use at a smaller scale; or

(b) make an accurate transfer for use at the same scale; or


(c) replot from the original field notes and computations for use at a larger scale.


(2) Where a rectilinear boundary intersects a curvilinear boundary and the provision of regulation 17 is applicable, the distance from each line or river monument to the intersection shall be shown to the nearest decimetre, but the distances between successive monuments along the rectilinear boundary shall be shown to the degree of precision required by regulation 75(3).


(3) Where a curvilinear boundary of a parcel has been fixed, such curvilinear boundary shall be distinctively described.


72. Plotting by co-ordinates

All plans shall be plotted by rectangular co-ordinates.


73. General rules

(1) All details shown on the plan shall be distinct and the cramping of figures shall be avoided.


(2) The north point on every plan shall be upwards and parallel to the sides of the plan form.


74. Abutting boundaries

All boundaries abutting on any parcel which has been surveyed shall be shown on the plan.


75. Co-ordinates and numerical data

(1) In every survey the co-ordinates of permanent control stations shall be tabulated on the plan.


(2) Where boundaries of parcels have been fixed, the following additional information shall be given on the plan −


(a) the co-ordinates of block corners of regular shaped figures and of all monuments of irregular shaped parcels shall be tabulated;


(b) the length and bearing of every boundary shall, when possible, be inscribed along the line to which they refer and such lengths and bearings shall be deduced from the final co-ordinates tabulated on the plan.


(3) Co-ordinates, and lengths when required by subregulation (2) of this regulation, shall be shown to nearest centimetre.


(4) (a) The area of every parcel shall be inscribed where possible within the figure to which it refers to the degree of accuracy prescribed by regulation 67;


(b) sufficient space shall be left for the title number to be inserted by the Director;

(c) no title number shall be inserted by any surveyor.


(5) All other data which may serve to clarify or complete any survey plan, shall be shown on the plan.


76. Triangulation plans

When surveys have been made by triangulation or trilateration or a combination of these techniques, a plan shall be made showing all rays observed or measured, or both. Such plans shall show a tabulated list of final co-ordinates of all permanent control points:


Provided that it shall not be necessary to draw a separate plan where the control points have been surveyed by methods permitted in regulation 33(2).


77. Colours and style of printing

Every survey plan shall be drawn in accordance with the requirements of the Director, in respect of colours, style of printing and other details.


78. Topographical features

(1) All topographical features that have been accurately fixed by survey, or have been sketched with reasonable precision, in accordance with regulation 59(1), shall be shown in their correct plotted positions on the plan.


(2) When form lines add nothing of significant value to the plan, they shall not be shown.


(3) Topographical information may be taken from any official map published by the Director or any authority approved by him with due caution in regard to the limitations enjoined by the scale of the map.


(4) Where topographical information is taken from aerial photographs, the source shall be shown on the plan.


79. Erasures or corrections

(1) No erasures shall be made after a plan has been drawn in ink.


(2) Necessary corrections shall be made by scoring through the incorrect work, letter, or numeral in ink and writing the correct work, letter, or numeral. Every such correction shall be initialled by the surveyor.


80. Certificate

Every plan shall have on it a certificate as set out on Form C of Schedule 2.


81. Authentication by the Director

The Director may refuse to authenticate any plan submitted by a surveyor which, in his opinion has been drawn carelessly and untidily, or is received by him in a dilapidated or damaged condition.



PART 9 − READJUSTMENTS OF BOUNDARIES OF LAND SURVEYED BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE ACT


82. Readjustments

Any boundaries, areas, shapes and positions of any parcels of land surveyed before the commencement of the Act (11 February 1985) may be readjusted wholly or in part as the Director may specify.


PART 10 − MISCELLANEOUS


83. Public access to map and plans

(1) Any person shall have access, free of charge, to every map and plan in the possession of the Director:


Provided that the Director or his representative may refuse access as he may deem necessary in the public interest.


(2) A search fee of VT 200 per plan shall be paid in advance by any person who is not a surveyor or not on official duty, for access to any unpublished plan and the search fee shall be credited against the price of any print of the plan purchased at the time of the search.


SCHEDULE 1


(regulation 45)



FORM A


APPLICATION FOR SUBDIVISIONAL SURVEYS


To: Director of Land Surveys


I, _________________ of ______________ being registered Land Surveyor No. ____ hereby make application to subdivide a parcel or parcels of land situated at ______________ for -


[The purpose and use of the land on which subdivisional survey is intended to be carried out and the development conditions, if any, in addition to those set out in regulation 45 must be set out herein.]


Date: ______________________ Signature: __________________________


FORM B (regulation 43)


APPLICATION FOR AERIAL SURVEYS


TO: Director of Land Surveys


I, __________________________ of ___________________ being registered Land Surveyor No. __________ hereby make application to carry out aerial survey of -


[Any part or parts, or island or islands of Vanuatu intended to be air surveyed and the purpose or purposes of the air survey, must be set out herein.]


Date: _________________________ Signature: ___________________________


SCHEDULE 2


FORM A (regulation 12)


CERTIFICATE FOR UNQUALIFIED SURVEY ASSISTANTS


I hereby certify that all the work performed in the field and in the office by my assistant, ________________________________ has been carried out under my personal direction, and I take full responsibility for all the work so performed.


Made at _______________ this ____ day of ________________, 20____.


______________________________

Registered Surveyor


FORM B (regulation 11)


REPUBLIC OF VANUATU


AUTHORITY TO ENTER LAND


I hereby duly authorise __________________ being a registered Land Surveyor under and in accordance with the Land Surveyors Act, Cap. 175 to enter upon any land to perform any duty which he is required to perform thereon under the said Act.


Made at _____________ this ____ day of ______________, 20____.


____________________________

Director of Land Surveys


FORM C (regulation 80)


CERTIFICATE FOR PLANS SURVEYED


I, __________________ of ___________________ being a registered Land Surveyor No. _______ hereby certify that the attached plan/plan/has/have been drawn as a result of a survey carried out by me or under my direction at _____________ on _______________ (date).


Made at _____________ this _____ day of ________________, 20____.


________________________________

Registered Surveyor


SCHEDULE 3


Prescribed Fees

(regulation 13)


1.


(1) Land Survey Fees - Vatu per man hour


Particulars
Government
Private
Field Surveyor
1,800
2,400
Field Assistant
800
1,000
Computing
1,500
2,000
Draughting/Office
1,5005
2,000

(2) Materials At cost for photocopying or printing


(3) Transport 10% of total fieldwork charges


2. Cartographic Charges


(1) Maps Vatu


(a) 1:2500 maps of Port Vila or Luganville per sheet 600

(b) 1:50,000 or 1:100,000 maps of Vanuatu per sheet 600

(c) 1:100,000 map of Vanuatu (coloured) per sheet 900

(d) 1:10,000 map of Port Vila or Luganville (coloured) per sheet 900

(e) 1:10,000 map of Mere Lava (coloured) per sheet 600

(f) Port Vila uncontrolled photo map (1985) per copy 600

(g) Port Vila or Luganville 1:10,000 photo map (1990) per copy 1,800

(h) Wholesale rate for 10 or more sheets/copies less 20%


(2) Cadastral extract, copy of official plans


(a) Certified cadastral map extract, official plan, per copy 600

(b) Uncertified cadastral map extract per copy 300

(c) Photocopy (A4) of official A3 plan per copy 300


(3) Prints


(a) Paper print of map or cadastral plan, per metre 1,500

(b) Other paper print from the Department's documents, per metre 1,200
(c) Paper print from tracing supplied by the applicant, per metre 600

(d) Paper print of the aerial photography diagram 900

(e) Film positive of a tracing supplied by the applicant, per metre 1,500

(f) Photocopy of map/print (A4 size) per copy 300

(g) Minimum fee per order 300


(4) Survey Control date


(a) Co-ordinates with station description, per point 500

(b) Co-ordinates without station description, per point 300

(c) Height of bench marks (each) 300
(5) Search Fees


(a) To locate details of plans, aerial photographs, valuations,

computations or mapping details, per sheet 700

(b) Minimum fee 200


(6) Survey Administrative fees 10,000


3. Valuation Charges


(a) Annual valuation for municipality rates: Port Vila 1,000,000
Luganville 200,000


(b) Application for estimated market value, per title 1,000


(c) Application for valuation survey per title: Urban 10,000
Rural Efate 30,000
Rural Other 50,000


(d) Valuation certificate, per title 3,000


(e) Valuation plan, per copy 1,200


(f) Inspection of valuation material, per document 300


(g) Transport at cost


[NOTE: The Department of Land Surveys may in its discretion require that some payments towards costs be paid in advance.]


SCHEDULE 4


TITLE NUMBERS FOR THE PURPOSES OF REGULATION 46(1A)


11/0G31/010 up to and including 11/0G31/027
11/0G31/029 up to and including 11/0G31/040
11/0G31/051


11/0G32/002 up to and including 11/0G32/019
11/0G32/021
11/0G32/026
11/0G32/028
11/0G32/034
11/0G32/035
11/0G32/037 up to and including 11/0G32/050
11/0G32/052 up to and including 11/0G32/065
11/0G32/069 up to and including 11/0G32/092
11/0G32/094 up to and including 11/0G32/107


11/0G33/086
11/0G33/090 up to and including 11/0G33/099
11/0G33/101 up to and including 11/0G33/140
11/0G33/142
11/0G33/144
11/0G33/146


11/0G34/030
11/0G34/031
11/0G34/035 up to and including 11/0G34/055
11/0G34/057 up to and including 11/0G34/072


11/0H33/042 up to and including 11/0H33/068
11/0H33/070 up to and including 11/0H33/072
11/0H33/074
11/0H33/075
11/0H33/077 up to and including 11/0H33/081
11/0H33/083
11/0H33/084
11/0H33/086 up to and including 11/0H33/089


11/0H34/001 up to and including 11/0H34/004
11/0H34/006
11/0H34/009 up to and including 11/0H34/080
11/0H34/082 up to and including 11/0H34/124
11/0H34/126 up to and including 11/0H34/137



Table of Amendments


46(1) Amended by Order 34 of 1988
46(1A) Inserted by Order 37 of 1999
Sched 3 Substituted by Order 9 of 1991, amended by Order 50 of 2003
Sched 4 Inserted by Order 37 of 1999


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