OSG Geodetic Surveying

OFFICE OF THE SURVEYOR-GENERAL

Geodetic Surveying



Geodetic surveying involves accurately determining the position of points on the earth’s surface. This is critical to accurately determine property locations, boundaries and collect and manage geospatial data.

The Survey Operations Unit: 

  • provides high precision geodetic surveys
  • supports Geoscience Australia to operate a network of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS); the strategically located reference stations continuously receive GNSS signals and provide real-time, high-precision positioning data, enabling surveyors and other users to determine accurate locations
  • works with the Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping to develop standards and guidelines for geodetic surveying practice. 

Airborne Gravity Survey


As part of an ongoing improvement process, the Government of South Australia is collaborating with Geoscience Australia to undertake an airborne gravity survey over Adelaide and surrounding regional areas in July 2024.

This survey will collect new gravity data which will provide more accurate height information and improve the Australian Vertical Working Surface (AVWS), a new reference surface for heights in Australia. This new surface will improve height determination from GPS positioning but will not replace the Australian Height Datum (AHD). 

Height information is used when producing elevation models crucial for construction and development activities, as well as environmental risk analysis (i.e. flooding, sea level rises and bushfire risk).

Find more information about the gravity survey
Factsheet - Airborne gravity survey
Download PDF | 194 KB

Visit the Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping website for more information about the Australian Vertical Working Surface. 

In the meantime, if you have any questions, or would like to register for updates, please contact us at dti.surveyoperations@sa.gov.au 

Resources



More information

We acknowledge and respect Aboriginal peoples as the state's first peoples and nations, and recognise them as traditional owners and occupants of land and waters in South Australia. Further, we acknowledge that the spiritual, social, cultural and economic practices of Aboriginal peoples come from their traditional lands and waters, that they maintain their cultural and heritage beliefs, languages and laws which are of ongoing importance, and that they have made and continue to make a unique and irreplaceable contribution to the state. We acknowledge that Aboriginal peoples have endured past injustice and dispossession of their traditional lands and waters.