WELCOME TO THE SEPTEMBER 2020 ICS EXPRESS
This monthly publication is a communication channel from the ICS Committee to the wider ICS Membership, and alerts you to:
• matters of cadastral importance;
• the status of ICS projects;
• cadastral news and events;
• ICS administrative matters;
Feedback and contributions are welcome, and should be directed to: sec@ics.org.nz or president@ics.org.nz
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PRESIDENT'S MUSINGS
From the desk of ICS President Pat Sole
I think it would be fair to say that the ICS has - for several years - been perceived by many as a breakaway group of cadastral surveyors who are disgruntled with the current regulatory environment (a view that is perhaps not unwarranted).
I suspect that perception is true to some degree, and that the sometimes confrontational nature of our actions has been misinterpreted by officials and possibly not benefited our arguments.
We have been trying for some time to change the way in which we engage, so that we have greater influence over those in a position to make positive change in our area of cadastral surveying. I think we can be proud of our input, for example, into the new Cadastral Survey Rules. I think we can also see our relationship with LINZ developing positively, with regular meetings and senior officials speaking at our recent workshop.
There are obviously times when we will disagree and it is important that we are frank and forthright with our views, but that does not mean we will always succeed. What is important is that we are in a position to attempt to sway the argument. As practicing cadastral surveyors, we are aware of the intricacies and practicalities of the work we do, so can rightly bring that perspective to any required situation or sphere of influence. As practitioners at the front end, our views will always be of some importance, as this is the public face of the spatial cadastre.
Responses or ripostes should be directed to: president@ics.org.nz
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ICS IN ACTION
ICS ADVOCACY PROJECTS
Your ICS Executive Committee continue to engage with other groups and work on various advocacy projects on your behalf. Components of these ‘projects’ often require feedback, comment and contributions from Members.
The ICS projects are progressing, and our recent activities are summarised below, with their status in italics:
- Good Survey Practice – final update of “high-level” summary document – version 3.0
- Good Survey Practice – “detail document” project continues; responses from submissions received are being compiled into a first rough draft - 30% complete.
- Survey Fees – ICS President participating in Review (meetings on hold)
- Cadastral Survey Rules – awaiting S-G summary
- STEP (formerly ASaTS) – watching brief continues
- LINZ Relationship – Meeting held 28-Aug
- S+SNZ – Meeting with Chief Executive 28-Aug
- ICS Member Skills Matrix – more responses still required
- Example Survey Plans – a new project (population of information on-going)
- QA Checklist Template – a new project with CSNZ and S+SNZ (initial compilation of template fields)
Your feedback on these matters is welcomed. If you have any other cadastral survey issues that you want support with – or want the ICS to escalate – then please contact a Committee Member or the Secretary - sec@ics.org.nz
PROJECT: QA (QUALITY ASSURANCE) TEMPLATE
CSNZ have identified a growing issue with Licensed Cadastral Surveyors presenting poor cadastral definitions and datasets.
Stephen Koning is the ICS Representative on the Project, and he will report on progress to Members via the ICS Express as necessary.
PROJECT: GOOD SURVEY PRACTICE – DETAIL DOCUMENT
At the last Committee meeting the decision to press on with the compilation of a first draft document was agreed. This was subsequently discussed (albeit briefly!) and endorsed at the AGM in Wellington in August.
It is recognised that this phase of the project is a large task and that it relies on the contributions from member practitioners to populate the text*. The planned stages of the project are:
- Initial population of copy from contributors into an ‘initial draft’
- When approximately 60% populated, release to editorial team for general review and refinement
- Completion of remainder sections and second round or review/refinement
- LINZ-OSGRelease of ‘first draft’ to selected parties for comment (initial authors; S+SNZ Cadastral Stream; OU; CSLB; and
- Consideration of comments and document update as necessary. Publication of ‘version 1.0’
*Contributions are still being sought for various sub-sections and will be gratefully received by the project team. The sub-sections (in itallics) within each of the chapter categories yet to be populated include:
- Project General: Survey planning
- Office: Pre-calculations
- Field Survey: Equipment; Measurement techniques; Boundary marks (old/new); Occupation
- Data processing: Data reduction; Reporting/audit trail; Bearing/Scale adjustments; Observation adjustments; Observation precision; Adoptions; Mark naming
- Definition: Offset pegs; Unit Title surveys; Cross Lease surveys
- Cadastral Survey Data: Calculation sheets; Plan generation; Requisitions; Schedules; Traverse Sheets; Legal information
- Other: Project closure; Equipment calibration; Survey system maintenance; Ethics; Quality control/assurance; Adjoining landowners; Professionalism
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LANDONLINE ISSUES AND NEWS
CURRENT PROCESSING TIMES AT 8/9/20
LANDONLINE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY STATEMENTLINZ have now released the revised Landonline Terms and Conditions and Landonline Privacy Statement. The ‘notice of change period’ of 30 days was announced on 3-Sept-2020 and after this the documents will become current. For those interested in the revised Landonline Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement they can be viewed at: https://www.linz.govt.nz/land/landonline
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LINZ UPDATES
CADASTRAL SURVEY RULES REVIEW
No significant update. A summary of the submissions and decisions have yet to be published. Implementation of the Rules will be after the June 2021 release of Landonline (required to enable LINZ to get all the changes needed to support the Cadastral Survey Rules 2021 in place).
S-G’S GUIDELINES - RETAINING UNIQUE IDENTIFIERS FOR EXISTING SURVEY MARKS
This change was notified within the June-2020 “Landwrap”. It may have slipped your notice [Ed. or maybe just ours].
A change has been made to the Surveyor-General’s guideline on Survey Mark Names to clarify the application of Rule 9.6.2(d)(ii) – a Diagram of Survey must include the identifier for a survey mark or point where an identifier already exists.
In situations where unique identifiers have been added to pre-existing non-unique survey marks, there has been some confusion about whether that identifier must be retained on subsequent CSDs. In some cases, the identifier has been removed on the basis that Rule 8.4 requires the mark name to be unchanged from the plan that originally placed it.
The Surveyor-General’s guideline on Survey Mark Names has been updated to:
If an existing non-boundary mark or boundary point does not have a unique name, a unique identifier may be added in brackets before the CSD reference. For example, marks adopted from DP 7700 could become IT (1) DP 7700 and UNMK (2) DP 7700. This unique name will then be used on future CSDs to comply with rule 9.6.2(d)(ii), unless there are duplicate names, in which case the identifier may be changed to make it unique.
LINZ will not requisition for this matter until 3 August 2020 to allow surveyors to update their quality assurance processes.
ICS supplementary questions:
- “a unique identifier may be added…”. This implies that the unique identifier is optional - correct?
- As the S-G guidelines are not “legally binding”, then will a requisition to enforce the addition of a unique identified be able to be resisted?
Member comments and discussion is invited on this guideline. Post any comments, opinions, criticisms, or rants to the ICS “Field Notes” Forum under the “Cadastral Surveying” Message Board:- https://icsnz.proboards.com/thread/337/retaining-unique-identifiers-existing-survey
PROPERTY RIGHTS REGULATORY SYSTEM – LINZ REVIEW
LINZ have recently released a report following a comprehensive Property Rights Regulatory System review. Some members from the ICS (responding as individuals) were invited to be interviewed in 2019. The Report noted that the Property Rights Regulatory System is “robust and generally fit-for-purpose”. Read the summary and find the link to the full report here:
https://www.linz.govt.nz/news/2020-08/review-finds-property-rights-system-robust
It may be questionable if the collective views of a large variety of stakeholder contributors with different drivers and levels of interaction with the property rights system could be satisfactorily assessed and weighted sufficiently in order to provide the interviewers with a clear commentary of the ”issues”. Nevertheless, an introspective and independent (?) review of any system should be considered healthy – as long as the messages are received, and action items addressed. (Ed. In our humble opinion!)
The background summary published by LINZ on 10-August-2020 is as follows:
A panel led by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) Director Regulatory Stewardship Stuart Day finalised the review in early 2020. Representatives from the cadastral survey industry, legal profession, Banking Association, Real Estate Authority, and Wellington and Christchurch regional councils were interviewed during the review.
The assessment found that the system is viewed as robust and durable, and delivering confidence in property rights that relate to ownership of most types of land in NZ. LINZ is seen as a fair and capable regulator with a social licence to regulate property rights. For example, the panel found evidence that LINZ has strong relationships and a history of high levels of engagement and collaboration with the survey and legal professions. Several examples were given by interviewees where LINZ has worked with the professions on system issues and to co-design professional guidance and education tools
Areas for system performance improvement were identified, including:
- Making better information available to customers, reducing the rate of requisitions of Cadastral Survey Datasets (CSDs) and non-automated title dealings, and improving connections between parts of LINZ with system responsibilities.
- Improving the quality and availability of information on system performance for reporting and to guide business enhancement decisions.
- Implementing a comprehensive compliance strategy and making regulatory requirements and guidance clearer and more easily accessible.
- Adapting to meet future demands, for example, assessing whether new tenure constructs are needed to meet changing ownership needs.
LINZ is working to address some of the recommendations through the Rebuilding Landonline programme and proposed work to improve business intelligence.
LINZ will continue to explore areas where further investment will improve the system’s performance, including making better quality information more readily available to customers and by clarifying regulatory requirements and related guidance.
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"ON-LINE" NEWS
HOUSING GUIDELINES – FEWER DRIVEWAYS AND GARAGES (AND OTHER THINGS)
Stuff – National: 7-Sept-2020
A move to free up more land for new builds is likely to see fewer driveways and garages in modern housing, in a move some say could have New Zealand looking like Coronation Street. Councils across the country must scrap planning rules that require car parks to be put down near new housing or business developments, under newly released housing guidelines. The “guidelines” refer to the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 dated July-2020 released by the Ministry for the Environment:
https://www.mfe.govt.nz/sites/default/files/media/Towns%20and%20cities/AA%20Gazetted%20-%20NPSUD%2017.07.2020%20pdf.pdf
NGĀI TAHU ORDERS REMOVAL OF HISTORIC LAKESIDE BACHES NEAR CHRISTCHURCH
Stuff – Pou-Tiaki: 29-Aug-2020
https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/122548528/ngi-tahu-orders-removal-of-historic-lakeside-baches-near-christchurch
Five generations of Kane Scarrott’s family have grown up holidaying at Greenpark Huts on the edge of Lake Ellesmere, south of Christchurch. The small settlement is firmly etched in their family traditions, but those traditions are now under threat.
Landowner Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu has told the owners of 32 baches and homes it will not renew their land leases when they expire on June 30, 2024. All buildings and belongings will need to be removed, at the expense of the hut owners, with no compensation offered by the iwi.
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ICS ADMINISTRATION
2020 AGM AND TECHNICAL WORKSHOP - WELLINGTON
This year’s AGM and Workshop was held at the Copthorne Oriental Hotel in Wellington. What was looking to be a near-record attendance was thwarted by the extended Level 3 Covid19 lockdown restrictions for Auckland and the subsequent cancellation of Jetstar flights from all main centres. Nevertheless, 11 ICS Members attended, along with 2 additional members via a “Zoom” on-line meeting platform. Another eight guests joined us throughout the day for the Workshop sessions to present on a variety of cadastral topics – including:
• ICS Strategic Planning – a review opportunity;
• An update on CSLB happenings;
• Water centreline boundaries – background, trends and a proposal;
• STEP update and the development strategies;
• CSD compliance – training, trends, and requisition feedback;
• Insurance – a lively presentation offering food for thought;
The closing session was an illustrated and entertaining presentation describing the project that put Baldwin Street back in the record books as the Steepest Street in the World.
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The day's discussions carried on in the hotel bar where participants and guests enjoyed the fine view over Wellington Harbour.
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The day concluded with a fine evening of chat and conviviality at the Whistling Sisters Beer Company restaurant, where many partners joined members in sampling the brews, and enjoying the matching meal combinations. Over the next few months, we will include a summary of all presentations within the ICS Express, and include links to the presentation information where available. These will also be archived within our website as we have done with previous year’s Workshop.
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MEMBERSHIP
NEW MEMBERS
The ICS welcomes Joanne Johnston (Lower Hutt) and Stuart Watson (Lower Hutt) as Members. Jo joined us at the AGM and Workshop in Wellington where she was presented with her Membership Certificate by President Pat Sole.
SPECIAL AWARD
This year, Bruce Speirs has decided to step down as an ICS Committee Member. This ends a near 20-year tenure as a key player within the ICS. Bruce was a founding Member of the ICS in 2002 and served as Secretary from that time until 2017. Bruce was the main driver of the Institute in those formative years and was instrumental in developing the Institute into a body that is now recognised and respected by the various external bodies that we interact with.
In recognition of Bruce’s contribution to the Institute, a special Service Award was presented to him at the start of the AGM (see photo below), and he was also unanimously elected by the Committee to be bestowed with Honorary Member status hence forth.
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In a continuation of our current theme, we highlight and reproduce brief biographical details of New Zealand Surveyors who have served the cadastral profession with esteem and whom deserve to be remembered occasionally for their overall contribution to the profession.
This month’s “old Surveyor” is one ARCHIBALD HUGH BOGLE (1883-1972)
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Image from S+SNZ (NZIS commissioned painting 1965)
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Archie – as he was commonly known - was a renowned character of the NZ survey scene. He commenced his survey career in 1900 as a cadet in the Wellington office of the Land and Survey Department. He soon qualified as a Surveyor in 1905, and left the department to join a private practice in Wellington in 1906. After getting married in 1911, he moved to Wanganui where he set-up his own practice in partnership with Thomas Dix and undertook survey work throughout the Wanganui area and into the central North Island for the next 35 years. After WWII Archie moved back to Wellington working in his own private practice, retiring at the age of 84 in 1967. His working career included survey projects in Samoa and Tonga as well.
Archies served in both World Wars, rising to the rank of Major. He was a member of the Survey Board for a record 42 years; was on the Town Planning Board for 16 years; a Maori Land Court Advisor; and for 20 years served on the NZIS Council as President and Councillor for various periods, serving also on the NZ Geographic Board for this time. He was also Editor of the NZ Surveyor Journal for 19 years.
Archie became a Fellow of the NZIS; and was awarded a CBE in the Queens New Years Honours List in 1960.
In 2015 a short biography written by Don McKay was prepared for the NZIS on the 40th anniversary of the posthumous publication of Archie’s partial autobiography. It provides a great summary of his personal life, his surveying career, and service to the profession. The brief notes above have been gleaned from this document, which can be located and read in its entirety at: https://www.surveyspatialnz.org/Attachment?Action=Download&Attachment_id=2724
Archie’s biography - Links in the Chain, Field Surveying in Early NZ - was published by the NZIS in 1975. It recorded his experiences as a surveyor from his youth (~1900) to middle age and is an interesting account of the life and times of a surveyor throughout the merging years of a nation.
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Archibald Bogle sitting his examination to become a professional surveyor, Whanganui River area. McGeorge, Janet Stewart, fl 1980 :Photographs relating to Archibald Hugh Bogle. Ref: 1/2-112399-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23110265 Copyright Unknown.
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An interesting man, a remarkable surveyor, a doyen of the profession. As Don McKay rightfully suggests “Archie Bogle, possibly the most outstanding surveyor in New Zealand’s history”.
If you want to also share your interesting snapshot of anything surveying - an old or recent survey activity, please send it in to sec@ics.org.nz along with a comment, explanation, or report. We’d love to see them.
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COMING EVENTS
DATES SUBJECT TO COVID-19 DEVELOPMENTS - DATES SHOULD BE CONFIRMED WITH THE PROVIDER:
28-Sept 2020
12-13 Oct 2020 |
S+SNZ Professional Examinations |
| 2-4 Nov 2020 |
S+SNZ Annual Conference – Rotorua – The New Normal – Recovery, Reshaping and Resilience – VIRTUAL CONFERENCE |
| 2-4 Nov 2020 |
Trimble Dimensions User Conference – Nashville, Tennessee, USA - CANCELLED |
| June 2021 |
Rules for Cadastral Survey 2020 Enacted (target date) |
| 1-3 Aug 2021 |
12d Technical Forum – Brisbane, Australia |
| August 2021 |
ICS AGM and Technical Workshop – Location to be confirmed |
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THE LAST WORD
“Tradition is tending the flame, not worshipping the ashes” – Gustav Mahler quoted in the ‘Week’
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Thanks to LPMS for their ongoing support of the ICS Express. To get your advertisement in the Express, contact the Secretary.
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- Avoid or minimise liability claims with industry-specific risk management guidance
- Unique insurance policies tailored specifically to cadastral surveyors
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- Specialist Liability claims team to assist and advocate for you
- Regular updates and resource library
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