Feature & Level Surveys in Melbourne’s North & West
A Feature & Level Survey (sometimes called a topographic survey) shows the existing conditions of your site in detail.
The survey is tied to a known datum (usually AHD – Australian Height Datum) so designers, engineers and councils can accurately understand the slope of the land and how water will move across it.
For most planning and building projects in Victoria, councils and consultants request a combined Feature & Level Survey as the starting point.
You’ll usually need a Feature & Level Survey before any serious design or planning work begins, particularly for sites in suburbs like Werribee, Craigieburn, Sunbury, Melton, Essendon and Brunswick.
Common situations include:
Architects and designers require a Feature & Level plan to design additions, new homes and extensions that comply with council requirements (such as overlooking, overshadowing and height limits).
For dual occupancies and townhouse projects across north and west Melbourne, town planners use our Feature & Level plans to prepare planning permit applications and assess how the new buildings will sit on the site.
Developers and planners use Feature & Level surveys to understand slopes, access, services and constraints before committing to a subdivision or development layout.
Engineers rely on accurate levels and contours when designing drainage, driveways, retaining walls and earthworks.
When building close to neighbouring dwellings, a Feature & Level Survey helps show the relative heights and windows of adjoining properties so overshadowing and overlooking can be assessed correctly.
We supply plans in PDF for easy viewing and CAD (DWG/DXF) formats for your architect, designer, engineer or town planner.
If you’re planning a renovation, new home, townhouse project or subdivision in Melbourne’s north or west, start with an accurate Feature & Level Survey from North West Land Surveyor.
You tell us what you’re planning – renovation, new build, units, subdivision, etc. We review your title and any architect or planner requirements, then issue a fixed-price quote so you know the cost upfront.
Our survey team visits the property and electronically records levels, features and relevant neighbouring information using precise equipment and established procedures.
Back in the office, we process the data and prepare a clear, easy-to-read Feature & Level plan tied to the appropriate datum.
We email you and your consultants the PDF and CAD files. If your architect, engineer or council has questions about the survey, we’re available to clarify and provide any minor amendments required.
“We used North West Land Surveyor for a feature and level survey in Werribee before starting our extension. The surveyor turned up on time, answered all our questions, and the drawings were with our designer in a couple of days.”
“I engaged North West Land Surveyor for a feature and level survey on a tricky sloping site in Craigieburn. The plans were detailed and our architect commented on how clear and accurate they were.”
“North West Land Surveyor provided a boundary survey and site levels for our knockdown-rebuild in Glenroy. They were professional, easy to contact, and worked well with our designer. It went well with Council and we were happy with the outcome.”
Pricing depends on:
For typical residential blocks in Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs, most Feature & Level Surveys fall somewhere between $1,200 and $2,500 (including provision of PDF and CAD files).
We’ll review your property details and provide a clear, fixed quote before we start so you know exactly what’s included.
In practice, yes. Councils and consultants in Victoria usually request a combined Feature & Level Survey – a single plan showing both the site features and levels/contours tied to AHD. That’s what we provide as standard.
For standard residential sites, we can usually complete the fieldwork and plan within 5–10 business days of instruction. If your architect or planner has a deadline, let us know when you request a quote and we’ll do our best to work to that timeframe.
Yes. We always supply our Feature & Level Surveys in PDF and CAD (DWG/DXF) formats. Your consultants can import the CAD file directly into their software and design over the top of the surveyed information.
Where relevant and accessible, we pick up heights, windows and features on neighbouring properties that may affect overshadowing or overlooking assessments. If your architect or town planner needs something specific, they can tell us at the start and we’ll ensure it’s included.
Yes. Many projects benefit from combining a Title Re-Establishment Survey with a Feature & Level Survey so you know both the exact boundary position and the detailed site conditions. Let us know if you’d like a combined quote.
We carry out Feature & Level / Topographic surveys across Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs, including:
If your property is nearby but not listed, please contact us – we likely service your area as well.
with experience across north and west Melbourne
with no hidden extras
in PDF and CAD (DWG/DXF) formats
with you and your consultants
to keep your project moving
Need a Title Re-Establishment Survey (Boundary Survey) in Melbourne’s north or west?
Get certainty, compliance and peace of mind with certified survey results from North West Land Surveyor.
