OSG Preservation - Permanent Survey Marks

OFFICE OF THE SURVEYOR-GENERAL

Preservation of Permanent Survey Marks

Permanent Survey Marks (PSMs) are major reference marks placed by surveyors to identify property boundaries. PSMs must not be disturbed without approval of the Surveyor-General. Fines of up to $2000 per PSM can be applied if they are:

  • disturbed
  • damaged
  • moved or removed
  • destroyed

Damage and destruction commonly occurs when:

  • constructing driveways, roads, footpaths and pram ramps
  • building fences
  • landscaping
  • installing underground services.

PSMs must remain accessible. By law, surveyors can break any surface to locate a marker, including driveways, footpaths and landscaped areas.

Email DTI.SurveyOperations@sa.gov.au before starting any ground work to locate a PSM.

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.