Surveying+Spatial Issue 83 September 2015

SURVEYING+

SPATIAL

September 2015 Issue 83

Surveying in the BIM cycle – revisited An eye for detail: UAVs in surveying Volunteering in Kiribati

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COVER IMAGE: High resolution multibeam bathymetry of Carnley Harbour, Auckland Islands, overlaid on a 3D rendering of Chart NZ 2862. See page 30.

Credit: New Zealand Hydrographic Authority (LINZ)

Build

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Building Information Management

September 2015 Issue 83

Design

Operate

P la n

ARTICLES 6

Surveying in the BIM Cycle – revisited

11 Volunteering in Kiribati 15 An Eye for Detail – UAVs in surveying

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18 FIG Working Week 2016: Recovery from Disaster 20 Neighbourhood economies during the recovery of Christchurch 29 NZIS Conference: Adapt, Innovate, Integrate 30 Our Seas and Oceans – still to be charted and explored 35 UN urges global approach to Geodesy

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41 Multispectral Imagery for Crop Analysis 43 NZIS meet with the Minister of Land Information

REGULAR FEATURES 2

Editorial

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Surveyor-General

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Professional Stream News

25 Technology 26 Legal Column

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36 BCB Commentary 38 Perspective 44 University Happenings

• EDITORIAL

One year on Diane Moriarty

ISSUE 83 SEPTEMBER 2015 SURVEYING+SPATIAL A publication of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors – Te Rōpū Kairūri o Aotearoa ISSN 2382-1604 www.surveyors.org.nz EDITOR Diane Moriarty survey.editor@yahoo.co.nz All rights reserved. Abstracts and brief quotations may be made, providing reference is credited to Surveying+Spatial. Complete papers or large extracts of text may not be printed or reproduced without the permission of the editor.

Correspondence relating to literary items in Surveying+Spatial may be addressed to the editor. Papers, articles and letters to the editor, suitable for publication, are welcome.

Papers published in Surveying+Spatial are not refereed. All correspondence relating to business aspects, including subscriptions, should be addressed to: The Chief Executive New Zealand Institute of Surveyors PO Box 5304 Lambton Quay Wellington 6145 New Zealand Phone: 04 471 1774 Fax: 04 471 1907 Web address: www.surveyors.org.nz Email: nzis@surveyors.org.nz Distributed free to members of NZIS. Published in March, June, September and December by NZIS. DESIGN & PRINT MANAGEMENT KPMDesign – www.kpmdesign.co.nz info@kpm.co.nz TO ADVERTISE Email: nzis@surveyors.org.nz or contact Jan Lawrence +64 4 471 1774

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It is now one year since the old Survey Quarterly was given a makeover and renamed Surveying+Spatial. I feel the magazine is not only looking better but the content is also improving – but maybe I am a little biased. Since the magazine was spruced up, I have had a lot more people approaching me with articles which I guess is a testament to the magazine’s quality. As a professional body we can be proud to have a magazine that now matches the likes of the Planning Quarterly and the IPENZ publication Engineering Insight. A big thank you must be made to Chris Benge from Kapiti Print Media who so effortlessly creates a classy publication each quarter. I would also like to take the opportunity to again acknowledge my regular contributors without whose input I would be scrounging for articles each edition.

This month’s feature article is about Building Information Management (BIM). I was a little in the dark on this topic, however after reading this article I now have a much better understanding of what BIM involves. As surveyors and spatial professionals BIM is definitely an area worth exploring to provide new opportunities in a growing market.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems are becoming more mainstream for use in our industry. I have noticed in the last year an increase in the number of companies approaching me requesting promotional articles for such equipment. This month we have two articles on UAV, both quite different to one another. Tim Brooks of SkyCam UAV recently undertook a road show in conjunction with the NZIS CPD programme to educate members on the uses and implementation of UAV systems for surveying purposes. His article on page 15 is a brief overview of his presentation to give those of us who missed out an insight into the UAV world of surveying.

The Engineering Surveying Professional stream has also provided a piece on UAV’s for their contribution to this edition. Their article focuses on the use of UAV’s for crop analysis using multispectral imagery, highlighting one of the many uses of these multipurpose machines.

On page 11 John Herman gives us his account of working as a volunteer Survey Trainer on the island of Kiribati in the central Pacific Ocean. John is part way through his two year placement on the island which has a height range of 0–3.5m, a temperature range of 28–30 degrees Celsius and work hazards which include biting dogs, ants and mosquitoes and falling coconuts!

Conference is approaching and this year is to be held in Wellington with the conference theme being Adapt, Innovate, Integrate.

The programme will focus on changes in our natural and business environment and how we as a profession can adapt to these changes. The programme is available for viewing on the conference website www.nzisconference.org.nz so be sure to check it out and check in come October. I will be attending and I hope to see you there.

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Issue 83 September 2015

• SURVEYOR-GENERAL

Evolving for the future Mark G. Dyer Kia ora koutou, Over the past couple of months, I’ve had cause to focus on the changing nature of surveying and the need for us to be looking more at the impacts our work has on the broader environment in which we operate, and the capability we need for the future.

I’ve been speaking to a wide range of people working in the building and property sector about the role of the survey system, and how it underpins many other areas and informs many decisions in our lives.

Recent events have illustrated this well, for example the work being done to resolve issues with locating property boundaries in Canterbury. The decisions surveyors are making on the ground are having a flow on effect for many other people and processes. The government response to this issue is still under consideration at the time of writing; however I am looking forward to a decision and with it some certainty for the surveying profession and Canterbury home owners.

Canterbury surveyors have been working in a very complex and frustrating environment, and the feedback I have heard points to the vast majority doing an excellent job of navigating the multiple challenges this situation presents. It is after all not a situation we have faced before.

We have faced earthquake related events before, in Napier and Edgecumbe. However in this case we have a very different situation – there is vast scientific and geotechnical data available, we have unprecedented ability to do spatial analysis, and we have as a start point – a survey accurate cadastre.

The face of New Zealand, and the number of people and nature of the challenges are changing – and I believe that how we respond to new situations and challenges will be a defining factor in the evolution of our profession.

I spoke in my last column of the vital role surveyors and spatial scientists play in helping New Zealand mesh the

old with the new – and the key role we have in helping to resolve issues.

With drivers like climate change, social equity, resource efficiency and the intensification of residential property, the need to identify and survey new land for future development, and the construction and management of our built environment is constantly changing. The work that we do and our professional advice are central to helping people make good decisions.

The use of spatial data helps people to engage with a wide range of information linked by its location, leading to better informed decision making. We are also seeing spatial data and data visualisation being used increasingly to communicate complex information to the public – from school information (think decile zoning, composition, NCEA results) to freeing up land for housing (available land, existing infrastructure, zoning information).

We know that as well as good data, people also need the skills and understanding to correctly interpret it. I am encouraged by the growth of opportunities for people to grow their skills in the spatial sciences. Recent work by the Geospatial Capability Committee has shown that we have GIS related courses now being offered from Whakatane to Invercargill, and an increased focus on spatial analysis and visualisation skills as part of the surveying school curriculum at Otago.

We all have a role to play in supporting the growth of our spatial capability in New Zealand, and in supporting those new to the profession. The Institute have charted a course for how they intend to support the growth of the profession in their 2013-2018 Strategic Plan. This is available on their website so if you haven’t already, I encourage you to read it.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the NZIS Conference in Wellington in October.

Nāku noa, nā Mark

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• PROFESSIONAL

STREAM NEWS

Cadastral LinkedIN webpage We’ve set up a LinkedIN page for the NZIS Cadastral Stream and we encourage you to join the group to get access to postings and discussion forums for all things Cadastral. Please contact Brian Curtis to provide suggestions or feedback on the page brian@geoworks.co.nz.

Call for submissions – land access for telecommunications A discussion document was issued by Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in June with regards to Land Access for Telecommunications. Cadastral Stream has prepared a submission and also asked members to make individual submissions, which closed on 24 July.

Chorus Ultra Fast Fibre (UFF) easement requirements Cadastral Stream has received draft wording on Chorus’ proposed reticulation protocols and easement wordings for UFF. Feedback has been provided to Chorus highlighting several concerns with the wording. Cadastral Stream has also been in discussions with the NZ Law Society (NZLS) to see if they share similar concerns; there appears to be some interest from NZLS who have forwarded the Chorus wording to their technical committee for review.

Laws and regs and professional entrance exams – new cadastral examiner positions Lloyd McGarvey is seeking new people to join the Cadastral Examiner roles as two of the team are looking to retire. Cadastral Stream has assisted by preparing a role description and an advertisement which is published on the NZIS website.

LINZ – delays in processing times Cadastral Stream has met with LINZ management to express member concerns about delays in processing times and in how these are communicated to members. Follow up meetings with LINZ have been organised including regular meetings with NZIS CEO.

Engineering Surveying The heavy construction industry is very busy at the moment, and as a result engineering surveyors are highly sought after. NZTA keeps my 4 year old son busy while travelling along the North-western motorway of Auckland, as I helped him count 60 diggers on his last journey.

There is also a lot of work happening on the Waikato Ex-

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Creative Commons Public Licence

pressway, Wellington’s Mackays to Pekapeka, and we are looking forward to the completion of Tauranga Eastern Link project. There are also some major building projects happening in Auckland and Christchurch. The Justice Precinct project in Christchurch is testing the waters of NZ’s BIM capabilities and there may be some valuable lessons arising.

GeoSystems has recently separated out their heavy civil construction solutions team to a new company named “SITECH Construction NZ.” Now “BuildingPoint” is the next on the scene, which is focused on the building and BIM survey tools and software. This highlights the speed at which survey technology is emerging, and how the major survey equipment brands are shifting their focus to the non-surveyor in the construction arena by making spatial technology as easy to use as possible. As seen on the new “Engineering Surveyors NZ” group on LinkedIn, there is concern that those who pick up this new technology may label themselves surveyors without adequate training.

But this may also be seen as an opportunity for the NZIS and its members to not only be spatial consultants, but also technology consultants.

Michael Cutfield – Engineering Surveying Professional Stream Leader

Hydrography NZ hydrographers recently attended the New Zealand Region of the Australasian Hydrographic Society (NZR-AHS) annual seminar hosted by LINZ in Wellington. For a full report on the day please see the article written by student attendees in this issue (page 30). Our next conferences are Hydro2015 from 23-25 November 2015 in Cape Town with the theme “Defining the extent and ownership of maritime real estate for development in Africa”. Closer to home will be The Fugro Australasian Hydrographic Symposium 2015 & Trade Exhibition themed “Harnessing the Blue Economy

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through Hydrography in the Asia-Pacific Region” from 3-7 November 2015 in Cairns, Australia.

LINZ contracts for upcoming hydrographic surveys have recently been awarded to Discovery Marine Ltd. (DML) who will survey Hokianga and Parengarenga Harbours, and IX Survey who will undertake work in Doubtless & Rangaunu Bay and Whangaruru Harbour.

The School of Surveying continues working with the Hydrographic Academy of the Marine Learning Alliance (MLA) in the UK, who offer e-learning courses to hydrographic professionals. Together they will offer the first iteration of a residential hydrographic field course in Plymouth, UK in September 2015 followed by one in Dunedin this December.

Land Development and Urban Design School of Surveying offers paper in advanced stormwater design The fundamentals of stormwater design have always been a core component of the BSurv and BSc Land Planning and Development degrees at the National School of Surveying. Students are introduced to key fundamental concepts in their second year of university study, and these concepts are then reinforced and applied in their third year.

Although this workflow has proved effective for many years, the application of Low Impact Development (LID) principles requires a more comprehensive approach to stormwater design and management and in turn necessitates a dynamic approach to stormwater modelling.

The School of Surveying is for the first time offering a paper in advanced stormwater design and management in semester 2 of 2015. This initial endeavour is taking the form of a 400-level special topic paper, for which there are three students enrolled. The stormwater modelling portion of the paper is being led by Dr. Greg Leonard, while Mr. Richard Hemi is leading the stormwater management portion which will include topics in water quality, sediment control and stormwater consents. The students will be introduced to the principles underlying dynamic stormwater design, such as rainfall abstraction, overland flow, continuous runoff models and hydrologic and hydraulic routing, through a combination of lectures and directed reading. They will then apply these principles by modelling a stormwater system for a medium-sized subdivision.

They will assess the sensitivity of their model by varying key input parameters and comparing the resulting model output. They will then undertake a stormwater management plan for their design.

If the delivery of this special topic paper proves successful, the School of Surveying plans to develop it into a SURVEYING+SPATIAL

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Issue 83 September 2015

standard 400-level paper that will be offered every other year as an elective to future BSurv and BSc Land Planning and Development students.

Positioning and Measurement Positioning and Measurement Stream Membership survey results are in – a big thank you to all Stream Members who took part in our first stream survey! We received more than 50 responses, with some constructive feedback and comments.

Most members have been excited to see the stream develop over the last 12 months and are looking forward to activities in the 2015/16 year. Such as: the deformation webinar and the Positioning and Measurement technical sessions at the 2015 NZIS conference.

This feedback is critical in defining our stream and will support the continuation of relevant content, discussion, learning and development over the coming year.

The responses from the questionnaire show that we are a diverse group with a wide range of interests. We are also spatially diverse with members located throughout the country, so please continue to contribute to the stream discussions on our LinkedIn group page: http://tinyurl. com/njbpejn

Spatial The Spatial Stream has a number of events in the calendar over the next few months, the main one being the NZ Spatial Excellence Awards (NZSEA). This is the premier awards event for the spatial industry in NZ and is set to be another fantastic event as it was last year. NZSEA is to be held at Te Papa, Wellington, on 19th November and entries are open now. See http://www.nzspatialawards.org. nz/ for more information and to submit your entry.

There was also a Surveying/Spatial network event held in Christchurch on 9 July which was co-sponsored by NZIS and SIBA which provided an opportunity both to raise awareness of the NZIS Spatial Stream, but also to encourage networking between surveying and geospatial professionals. Other events include Women in Spatial meetings which are held regularly across the country, in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland, with meetings due to be held for the first time in Hawkes Bay and Hamilton as well.

We are further developing our approach to how we offer value to organisations involved in the spatial industry and the next few months will involve forming professional development and certification processes for staff of those organisations. Aligned with this is our ongoing membership drive, which aims to raise awareness of the benefits of membership in terms of certification and professional development and the networking opportunities involved.

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Building Information Management

D e si g n

erate p O

P la n

Build

Surveying in the BIM Cycle – revisited Richard Harrison, Senior Surveyor, BECA For many, building information management (bim) is a mystery that is yet to be solved. For others, it’s the key that opens the door to a new market, new clients and new opportunities.

The building and construction industry has been engaging with BIM at various levels for several years, and we have seen an increased use (and misuse) of the term occurring in everything from casual meetings through to legal construction contracts. BIM covers buildings, but also includes any built asset for which lifecycle management is required. This could be a plant room or a highway, a ship or a wastewater system.

This paper provides the basis for an understanding of BIM and explains where the opportunities lie for surveyors to get involved and realise the benefits that BIM offers for our profession. It draws on the material presented at the 2014 NZIS conference and the experience we have gained in the last 12 months from our engagement as surveyors with clients who are adopting BIM processes.

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What does BIM mean to your client?

Clients increasingly claim an understanding of BIM, but in conversation it quickly becomes apparent that BIM is a term that means different things to different people.

A surveyor needs to understand the different interpretations of BIM in order to engage with a client and provide useful advice and direction.

There are many well-known definitions of BIM, one of the simplest and most effective being “the structured sharing of digital information (data) within the built environment”, but if your client has a different definition, then be prepared to understand it.

A 3D Survey In many cases, a client wanting “data for a BIM” or “data for REVIT” is simply asking for a 3D survey of the facility,

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presented as a 3D DWG. This is well within the capabilities of any surveyor and may be achieved through conventional survey techniques. The questions we need to ask are those we would ask for any survey project to ensure we capture the level of detail required by the client.

A 3D model In most cases, new facilities are designed by architects in packages such as REVIT or ArchiCAD. Where there is an interface to an existing building, it is common

3D Model from point cloud

for the existing building to be ‘modelled’ and the new building designed around it. A survey-accurate model of the existing building is required, especially in the case of complex facades or critical tie-in details, and this is an opportunity for a surveyor to get involved. Traditionally delivered as 2d CAD elevations, we now see laser scanners often used to capture the data, providing a highly visual, complete, 3-dimensional dataset that can be used as the basis of multiple deliverables. More specialised skills are required to develop the model, for which a surveyor may have in-house expertise or outsource to a specialist modelling house. Regardless of who develops the model, quality verification of the spatial information should still sit firmly with the surveyor.

A tool to optimise design and construction New structures are commonly designed in 3D, allowing an architect or engineer to walk through the design, proof the concept with the client, make changes to the digital design and identify clashes between services and structures. Changes made early in the design process cost less than changes made late.

This model may be an architect’s concept, or it may be a more detailed “design intent” model used as part of SURVEYING+SPATIAL

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Issue 83 September 2015

the tender documents. This is represented by the Level of Development (LOD) of the model. Design intent may commonly be LOD 200, moving to “developed design” at LOD300. At this level, fundamental clashes are resolved and further detailed structural and services design can commence. 3D models also allow the designer to analyse structural performance and make changes in the digital environment that will optimise the building.

A model used for construction layout must be developed to a level that includes the layout information required by the surveyor. For the greatest efficiency it should offer a replacement for traditional 2D DXF drawings so this means that the model has to be developed to LOD400 and be “for construction”. LOD400 will incorporate (known as federating) the detailed shop drawings from each sub-trade, with sufficient detail to set out walls and services. At this level it is common to be working with a BIM Manager who will coordinate the development of the model and manage input from the various stakeholders for the project.

An important part of the construction process is an as-built survey. Where a project demands layout from the model, the model can be considered to be an as-built of the facility.

However in many cases, an independent as-built is required and laser scanning has developed into a tool that is readily applicable to this task. The technique can be used for analysis of verification of construction against design as well as being a record of precisely what has been constructed.

A tool for Operations & Maintenance A survey-accurate as-built of the completed facility is typically a requirement of the handover. In the current post-earthquake climate, an as-built point cloud captured through laser scanning offers a potentially much more valuable asset as an indisputable record of the condition of the facility (in terms of line and level) to support future earthquake claims.

3D models that include metadata (attribute data for each element of the model) allow the designer to analyse the running costs of the facility and make changes to plant and processes in the digital environment that will optimise the running of the building.

Apart from optimising the design and running costs, large facilities with critical or complex infrastructure are always looking at ways to streamline their operations and minimise downtime for the facility. Over the life of the building, this is where the greatest costs lie, so consequently the greatest opportunity for savings. A model developed to include non-geometric information includes

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Typical point cloud produced in Autodesk Recap

3D positional information and also extensive attribute data about the services in the building. A pump represented in the model, for example, can be interrogated for make, model, service history and technical specifications.

A maintenance crew can go directly to the location of a failed component with the correct replacement parts and remove only the ceiling tiles required to access what they need, saving time and minimising disruption.

A model that has been developed for construction layout (i.e. is spatially accurate) and has the attribute data for

Construction layout and scanner

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relevant plant and machinery, is a tool that provides for significant efficiencies in the operation and maintenance of the building. Such a tool must be maintained in order to maintain relevancy, presenting another opportunity for a surveyor to capture spatial changes to the facility.

Where does surveying plug in to the BIM cycle?

The BIM cycle represents the lifecycle of assets in our built environment. Where an asset has a physical size and shape and requires design, construction, maintenance or renovation, there is a natural opportunity for a surveyor to get involved.

Surveyors offer a unique capability to capture the reliable spatial data that underpins the BIM cycle. We understand the hardware and software technology that is required to capture the data and can verify the accuracy of the underlying data and the resulting model.

In its most simple form, wherever data is required as an input to a BIM model, or where we need to translate data from the model to the real world for construction, the surveyor has unique applicable skills.

It is essential that we embrace the need to work solely with 3D data in order to get involved with BIM. Often, we capture or design in 3D only to represent it in 2D to our client. The leap from 2D to 3D is entirely within our expertise as surveyors and is increasingly expected from our clients, who are dealing daily with freely available 3D data from many different (often unverified) sources.

Our opportunity is to deliver in 3D with all the confidence and quality control that comes with engaging a survey professional.

3D data capture for BIM opens an opportunity to add value for our client by capturing data that is far richer, more visual and more versatile than conventional data.

Increasingly, we use laser scanners to capture data for jobs that appear conventional. The cost is similar to conven-

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tional methods and the results offer benefits including reduced risk of weather delays, reduced disruption for the client, more visual deliverables, and the ability to “virtually” revisit the site and extract different deliverables. In many cases, laser scanning is the only way to capture a complex or difficult site and provide the client with the data they need in an efficient manner.

The opportunities for equipment and software vendors to sell into this market have not been overlooked and we see surveying equipment increasingly sold into construction companies and left in the hands of a site foreman.

Data workflows have been well designed to be simple and intuitive, but as we all know, the risks involved in construction layout can be considerable. Owning some flash kit and an enthusiastic operator is no substitute for a surveyor’s qualified and practised approach to quality control.

What has happened in the past 12 months?

BIM remains “the structured sharing of digital information (data) within the built environment”. One of the biggest changes has occurred for the clients, who demonstrate an increasingly sophisticated understanding of BIM, displayed through more mature project briefs and a more realistic upfront expectation of costs and value.

Beca’s surveyors are proud to be engaged on a large number of projects around the country including those for which BIM adoption is at the advanced end of the scale.

Twelve months ago, we anticipated using 3D BIM model data for layout, and thanks to a great deal of commitment by our client and their BIM managers, the model is now at the stage where some of the 3D design data can be used directly for setout. These projects demonstrate tangible evidence of the benefits of BIM and provide leadership for the industry.

We see the ownership of survey technology by commercial construction companies increasing as the technology becomes easier to use. In some cases, the company employs a surveyor and in other cases, they rely on existing technical and site staff to operate the equipment. At one of our sites, we provide guidance to our client in the use of their own equipment for “bulk” repetitive layout, while we focus on quality control, structural layout, gridlines and levels.

Our clients and our clients’ clients are more aware of BIM and the benefits it can bring to a project. In some cases, the 3D model is employed purely for its benefit to the contractor in terms of enhanced coordination and reduced risk to the project timeline. In other cases, the building owner sees value from overseas examples of reduced operation and maintenance costs.

The New Zealand BIM handbook has been out for a year and will see a new revision in early 2016 in response to industry feedback and the New Zealand Construction Industry Council guidelines are being re-drafted to accommodate BIM. The need for collaboration has never been greater and a new specialisation, BIM Manager, is gaining currency. The value of dedicated resources for coordination of the model is now well recognised. Project Managers are becoming more adept at working with model data to complete clash detection and project sequencing as tools from suppliers become more powerful and easier to use.

Through the education offered through the NZIS and others, we observe a growing understanding of BIM and the role of the surveyor in the BIM cycle and we are fortunate to be at the forefront of this technology as the wave reaches our shores.

FURTHER READING: MBIE website including links to the NZ BIM handbook and other BIM resources: http://www.building.govt.nz/bim-in-nz

3D Point cloud for as-built

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GLENN STONE INSURANCE

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VOLUNTEERING IN

KIRIBATI VOLUNTEERING IN KIRIBATI John Hermann, Survey Trainer, Volunteer Service Abroad Want to genuinely help others using your home and work skills and have a desire for new places and experiences? Then volunteering with Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) is for you.

VSA work with in-country partners to make sure that assignments are locally identified, locally relevant and locally delivered. They do this by advertising for skilled personnel within New Zealand, selecting the volunteer, gaining acceptance of this person from the partner country and equipping the volunteer to undertake the set assignment.

Assignments range in skills requirements and durations between two – 24 months. The Republic of Kiribati has sought assistance from VSA and it is to this country I have been located for a period of one – two years.

Where is Kiribati (pronounced “Kiribas”)? It is spatially located directly north of Nelson, and a further 150km north of the equator. To get there: fly to Fiji, then fly north another three hours to the International Airport of Kiribati. The Republic of Kiribati is made up of 33 atolls, spread over an area approximately equal to the width of Australia and the northerly expanse of NZ, so she isn’t small. The expanse of the Republic takes in parts of the northern, southern, eastern and western hemispheres – not bad for a few islands.

The population of Kiribati is 100,000+ (yes the comma is in the right place) with South Tarawa housing 50,000 of these, predominantly in the township of Betio. Betio

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(pronounced “Baso”) is the Auckland of Kiribati, being the magnet of the surrounding Islands’ peoples, due to the possibility of jobs. This populous centre has a WWII history that is not widely known, claiming significant lives (4,500+) during the Pacific conflict, with remnants still obvious.

The heat: 28–35°C both day and night with no winter; a problem for those prone to perspiration Kiribati has a history of land disputes, in excess of 500 cases are brought before the local courts each year. The survey staff of the Land Management Division (LMD) at the Ministry of Environment Lands and Agricultural Development (MELAD) have little formal qualifications and support. The role of a survey trainer was advertised by VSA for this situation to principally aim at “capacity building” in the LMD. The LMD consists of a qualified Chief Surveyor, Romano Reo (since retired after three months of my arrival)

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over 50% of households do not have a toilet, leaving instead a significant deposit on the beach daily. To add to this challenge is the fragile water supply, partially contained in a water lens immediately under the population.

Fortunately for Tarawa the rainfall is reasonably consistent throughout the year making drinking water moderately safe. Pollution in the form of household waste is unfortunately ever present despite the daily family ritual of sweeping the front yard.

The red ant makes its highway in the sand and nips a man

Survey control on the reef at low tide

three senior surveyors (five+ years experience) a recent intake of four new survey trainees and six+ survey assistants. The training consists of on-site office & field training for typically three days per week for the new trainees and mentored in-country National Diploma in Land Surveying (NZ) for the senior surveyors. I trust this builds capacity for the future.

My background includes working as a current licensed cadastral surveyor throughout NZ with a number of years tutoring experience for the New Zealand Institute of Highway Technology (NZIHT). A previous 12-month stint in Samoa as the on-site liaison and data gatherer for the design of Apia’s four-lane road upgrade (now built) with Beca, gave our family a taste for Island life.

The atoll of Tarawa has a height range of 0 – 3.5m (yes, the decimal point is in the right place) which makes tsunami warnings an academic exercise as they should be.

And yes, there is a Mount Tarawa. Erosion, as all Islands experience, is more obvious here. The regular king tides, when combined with a moderate swell can cause major inundation to roads, schools and dwellings. There is a collective sigh of relief when the lunar cycle has moved on.

However the sea in Kiribati is never far from your seat.

Kirimati is an outer island, 2,000+ km east of Tarawa and still part of Kiribati. It is renowned for its big game fishing and is a shining light for the Republic. Fishing is the main source of income for Kiribati via overseas fishing-rights levies, and a staple for the Islanders’ sustenance. Kiribati has no social welfare but severe poverty is not common.

Retirement age is 50, not silly with high unemployment, and a life expectancy in the 60’s.

The people are warm, generous and jovial despite the difficulties they face The surveying is similar to that in NZ with the focus on the populous South Tarawa Island. Surveys use a Transverse Mercator projection based on a WGS84 datum. An imma-

To be eaten – by dogs, mosquitoes, ants and other biters Tarawa has no significant tourism industry as its natural resources are minimal or severely polluted, and the infrastructure is not adequate for local use let alone others.

Kiribati is environmentally challenged with the burgeoning population overwhelming the sanitary capacity, where

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Fun on the causeway

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Trainee surveyors

ture but developing GIS MapInfo database provides the backdrop for the cadastral boundary framework. Unlike NZ the courts play an unwelcome role in boundary definition. The final boundary location is decided by court controlled consensus rather than historical survey definition.

Litigation is passively encouraged due to the minimal fees required to take an action and also by the resulting time delays caused to a developer.

The hazards: generally airborne, from falling coconuts to close range mosquitoes Tarawa, the most populated atoll, is in the shape of a reverse L with a lagoon that is lukewarm and badly bloated with the refuse of the populous. It has a maximum land width of about 2km but is generally about 200m wide from reef to lagoon. For south Tarawa the islets are joined by a potholed road that is in a constant state of repair.

Thank you Australia (the World Bank & NZ) for the current Tarawa road upgrade construction being undertaken by our own McConnell Dowell in trying circumstances. The work force is progressing despite the significant rain this year and minimally buried electricity cables that are laid along the road route.

Safety and security in Kiribati is refreshingly basic with most locals making do with what is at hand (and my bike) SURVEYING+SPATIAL

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Issue 83 September 2015

and looking out for others. New road and construction projects have lifted the standard appropriately for these works, but bare feet are still the fashion statement of the Island.

The road: a critical artery that is grooved, potholed or severed by rains and tides but with a new surface taking shape for the future VSA provide adequate rental housing and funds for food for its volunteers that is more than generous. I am accompanied by my wife Frances who volunteers at the Rurubao school as a support teacher in the highly sort after subject of English. Our health is closely monitored by VSA with health insurance part of the package. Fortunately the location offers reasonable surfing when the tide is high to cover the sharp reef, so wave time either side of high tide is the best. Enjoyment with fellow voluntary staff (NZ, Australian, Cuban and Japanese mostly) and locals comes in the form of table tennis, offshore island visits, fishing, shared meals, and toddy on the rocks.

Civilisation begins when the haves share with the have nots 13

Constructing new survey control

The needs of the LMD surveyors are many but I have confined my efforts to; • training the existing and new staff in efficient survey practice and to in future be able to complete the recognised NZ National Diploma in Surveying (modified to suit Kiribati),

• attempting to re-establish survey control via traversing between established control along the 20km+ of new roads, • bringing new technology to the court liaison process when litigation involves survey definition, • encouraging the scanning of current and historical survey records to ensure the consistency of boundary definition and safety of records.

What would help the Kiribati LMD surveyors is more basic survey accessories such as tribrachs, tripods, levelling staves, automatic levels, prism poles and radio communications.

The needs: the basics for surveying that we in NZ take for granted. The wants: a smooth path in the right direction for the future.

John can be contacted at jfhermann@inspire.net. nz for any surplus equipment you may have will be gratefully accepted. Volunteer vacancies are available at www.vsa.org.nz

Kiribati – a blast from the past

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AN EYE FOR

DETAIL Unmanned aerial vehicles in surveying

Dr. Tim Brooks, Director, Skycam UAV Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV or drones) have been appearing in the media recently, performing outlandish tasks such as delivering drinks to patrons or packages across towns. In the background, how­ ever, UAVs are performing more mundane and, in many ways, more beneficial tasks.

Around New Zealand and the world, various UAV platforms are being used for aerial mapping and survey operations. When used with miniature, high-resolution sensors and image mosaicing software, a UAV can provide both a detailed orthomosaic and elevation model.

These data typically have 3-5cm/pixel resolution and can be accurate to better than 70mm with the use of a small number of survey points.

Using a UAV to perform a survey will provide a more detailed result than a ground-survey and is a cheaper, and sometimes more accurate, option when compared to a piloted aerial survey.

UAVs are ideally suited to any application that is dull, dirty, or dangerous (the three Ds of automation). Examples of which include: Calculation and management of spoil heap sizes, hazard detection in structurally unsafe buildings, water-course management, fault-line monitoring, erosion modelling, plant or algae monitoring, and pipe line or power line surveys.

Palmerston North based company, Skycam UAV have been using UAV to perform aerial survey since 2008.

Our UAV’s have been used in New Zealand Antarctica, Borneo, and Australia.

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UAV and sensor selection

False colour elevation model output from Pix4D

Image capture and processing Preparation for conducting a UAV survey follows the same planning as for any other survey. The area of interest is defined, the required sensor is identified, a path is defined that will capture the area with sufficient overlap between images and a risk assessment and mitigation process is performed (which includes contacting local air users).

Once on site, the UAV is prepared for flight and launched. It is then commanded to capture images based on the flight plan. The images are all geo-located using the telemetry data from the UAV. For each image, the following is recorded: GPS coordinates of the UAV; the barometric altitude of the UAV; and the pitch, roll and heading of the UAV. Once the aircraft is recovered and the images downloaded, they are loaded into the customer’s mosaicing software of choice. Pix4D: Mapper is one of the popular commercial software packages which is purpose made for processing images from a UAV. Pix4D automatically mosaics the images using the geo-location data and by matching features within the images.

Pix4D also accepts ground survey points to increase the accuracy of the data. Once processing is complete, the user has access to geo-referenced point cloud, orthomosaics and elevation models which can be immediately imported into any GIS package for analysis.

One UAV flight can produce over 1000 high-resolution images and it is generally possible to conduct six flights a day for as long as is required to cover the survey area. Processing for each flight will take approximately 12 hours and can produce several million, three-dimensional data points.

It is best to think of any UAV as simply a truck to get the desired sensor into position to acquire data. Selection of the correct UAV for a given task will dramatically improve results. UAV can be separated into two different categories: Fixed-wing and rotary-wing. In general, fixed-wing UAVs can fly for longer and cover more area, while rotary-wing can hover and can fly sideways and backwards if required.

The selection of the sensor is based entirely on the required results and most UAV platforms can be modified to carry any sensor type. It is even possible to gimbal stabilise sensors to remove vibration and UAV movement from the output and to allow the sensor to be directed by the operator. A number of manufacturers are actively pursuing the UAV market by providing low-cost, miniaturized sensors. In addition to standard stills and full-motion cameras, UAVs are now being equipped with hyper-spectral and multi-spectral cameras; even LIDAR units are seeing a trend towards sizes that could be carried by small UAVs.

Safety and regulations A pragmatic approach is advised when considering the safety of a UAV operation. The UAV should provide minimum risk to people and property when it is operating. A mixture of redundant and emergency features is crucial to this risk mitigation.

Almost all commercial UAVs have a ‘return-to-base’ function that will control them back to their launch site if they lose contact with the operator, thus preventing the UAV from ‘going rogue’. Some UAVs have an emergency flight termination system that releases a parachute if the aircraft goes out of control which can remove the risk of injury and damage by reducing the energy with which the UAV lands. These, combined with a number of self-mon-

A UAV image detecting cyanobacterial mats (dark patches in the water’s edge)

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itoring systems, can make UAV operations as safe, if not safer, than piloted operations.

UAV are not new but their rapid expansion into the commercial market in the last few years has been a concern for other air users and regulatory agencies throughout the world. It is only recently that there has been a concerted effort to come up with some rules that will allow general aviation and UAV operations to coexist.

New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been one of the more progressive organisations. The have allowed the operation of UAV under their Rule Part 101, which governs the use of recreational model aircraft, kites and balloons.

There are a few basic restrictions under this rule part: Flights are conducted below 400 feet above ground level, within unaided line of sight (which is about 1.5km), not within 4km of the boundary of an active airfield, the UAV must give way to piloted aircraft and no flying over populous or built up areas. An exemption from any or all of these rules was available on a case-by-case basis by application to CAA. Each application needed to be accompanied by an acceptable risk assessment and mitigation plan.

Digital elevation model of Pt Chevalier Beach, Auckland

In July of 2014, Rule Part 102 was proposed which would provide more detailed and applicable governance of UAV operations. This rule part comes into effect on 1 August 2015 and carries many of the same restrictions as Part 101 but has added detail on qualifications of operators and approval of airframe construction.

The future The technologies that go into constructing and operating a UAV are getting better all the time. Better batteries are being made, motors are getting smaller and more efficient, and sensor resolutions are going up while size and weights are going down.

As all of this happens, UAVs will get cheaper and more powerful. Right now they complement other forms of survey and can be used to enrich datasets.

In the future they may surpass some survey types.

One thing is certain: UAVs are here and they can vastly improve the information available in any survey. The follow-on effect is that all data gleaned from these surveys are more accurate which leads to better control which leads to less waste and less damage to our environment.

Skycam’s Swampfox UAV

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17

Recovery from Disaster

Simon Ironside & Louise Friis-Hansen, Co-Conference Directors, FIG Working Week 2016 FIG Working Week 2016 In 2014 the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors (NZIS) won the bid to host the FIG 2016 Working Week in Christchurch, New Zealand. Each year FIG organises an international event in cooperation with a national member association.

Every four years the large Congress is held (the latest in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in June 2014), and in the intervening years an annual Working Week is organised. The FIG working weeks attract international delegates who are often at the forefront of research and development of the latest technological trends and includes a trade exhibition showcasing the latest and best in surveying and spatially related information, products and services.

The theme for the Working Week 2016 is Recovery from Disaster. New Zealand is a (relatively) geologically active country with a history of seismic events and Christchurch

is an ideal location from which to consider this theme after experiencing an earthquake in September 2010 followed by magnitude 6.3 earthquake in February 2011.

The recovery and rebuild of the Christchurch CBD, its suburbs and the surrounding region will provide a significant and poignant backdrop to the 2016 FIG Working Week. It is being held at a time when considerable re-building and renewal is underway. Many inhabitants throughout the world face various kinds of disasters, apart from earthquakes, such as flooding, storm events, tsunamis, drought, the after effects of conflict etc. that are a world-wide challenge, especially taking the effects of climate change into consideration.

Another important backdrop to the FIG Working Week 2016 is the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction which was recently adopted at the United Nations Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held from 14–18 March 2015 in Sendai, Japan.

In order to reduce disaster risk, the Sendai framework recognises the need to address existing challenges and prepare for future ones by focusing on: • monitoring, assessing and understanding disaster risk and sharing such information and how it is created; • strengthening disaster risk governance and coordination across relevant institutions and sectors and the full and meaningful participation of relevant stakeholders at appropriate levels; • investing in the economic, social, health, cultural and educational resilience of persons, communities and countries and in the environment, also through technology and research; and • enhancing multi-hazard early warning systems, preparedness, response, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Refer: Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (A/CONF.224/CRP.1) 18 March 2015

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To complement national action and capacity, there is a need to enhance international cooperation between developed and developing countries and between states and international organizations. The aim is to guide the multi-hazard management of disaster risk in development at all levels as well as within and across all sectors.

Disasters, natural or otherwise, directly impact surveyors and spatial professionals and their work on the land, under the seas, in the air and in space. Surveyors and spatial professionals are at the forefront of emergency response. One of the key response drivers in the immediate aftermath of an event is accurate geospatial information to inform building and infrastructure assessment and assist search and rescue. In addition and further down the recovery path are the many engineering and building support roles undertaken by surveyors that are essential for rebuilding.

The surveying and spatial professions are a key responder to a disaster, natural or otherwise. But equally and probably more importantly, are uniquely positioned to play a key role in risk mitigation both nationally and internationally, particularly in terms of building resilience through better and smarter infrastructure development and strengthening the national cadastre/land administration system.

One of the aims of the Working Week is to enable delegates to come away from Christchurch with a greater

knowledge of the role of the surveyor and allied professionals in reducing disaster risk, responding to disasters, recovery and resilience. The FIG Commissions are actively encouraging papers addressing the Working Week theme and Sendai framework to be presented in the technical programme. FIG Council and the Local Organising Committee are inviting a host of distinguished international and local speakers to discuss issues arising from these broad and important themes from international, regional and local contexts.

As with any major natural disaster, critical lessons have been learned in the recovery and rebuilding of Christchurch and its environs that can be applied to any global disaster. Despite the events, Christchurch remains fully functional and repairs to essential service infrastructure have largely been completed.

The local surveying and spatial communities were actively engaged in the Christchurch recovery from immediately after the seismic events and are at the forefront of the rebuilding of a new and vibrant city. It is these shared experiences that will provide the platform for the FIG Working Week 2016.

More information: www.fig.net/fig2016 Deadline for the submission of papers is 15 November 2015.

For peer review papers (full paper) the deadline is 1 October 2015.

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• SPATIAL

PROFESSIONAL STREAM Inner city business is important for both economic and social recovery of Christchurch

NEIGHBOURHOOD ECONOMIES

during the recovery of Christchurch Chris Bowie & Vivienne Ivory, Opus Research How businesses and economic activity are spatially distributed is an important part of describing cities, and one that changes over time. In New Zealand, the spatial dynamics of cities over time has long been of interest to researchers, with regard to both the causes and consequences of changing patterns of economic activity for residents, agglomeration of economic activity, and the way our cities function. The Canterbury earthquakes have prompted significant change in business locations, particularly for activities previously concentrated in the central city. We undertook this research as part on an ongoing study into the effects of business displacement, relocation and closure on the communities and neighbourhoods they used to be a part of, and how these changes are shaping the recovery of Christchurch.

While some businesses were displaced following the September 2010 earthquake, it was immediately apparent on the 22nd of February 2011 that the central city and other badly affected areas would be out of action for some time.

Finding alternative premises began within hours, with businesses taking a range of strategies, including moving to vacant business park premises, hotel rooms, residential properties, church halls, as well as converting warehouses

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and light industrial premises. Overarching all options was the sudden, severe shortage of space, and the influx of businesses to neighbourhoods not traditionally home to clusters of business activity.

Official reporting of the earthquake recovery tends to focus on city and regional recovery as a whole with fewer published statistics examining progress and change at small spatial scales within Christchurch city. Observing

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the recovery of the city and region disguises the ways in which damage, and the on-going effects, are unevenly distributed across the city. To fully understand the process of neighbourhood recovery, we must combine spatial information of the changing physical, social and political environment with economic activity and outcomes.

Observing rapid, forced change The change in where business takes place in Christchurch following the 2010/11 earthquakes has been substantial, rapid, and is ongoing. Businesses displaced from the central city in particular have relocated across the city, with initial movements tending to be to the less damaged west and north. As the recovery progresses there has been more ongoing movement that is likely to continue as businesses attempt to find locations that will meet their long-term needs. In the year ending February 2012, there are significant decreases in business numbers in the central city and more damaged areas to the east, while neighbourhoods in the west and north enjoy growth in business activity.

By 2013, such stark geographic differences are less visible with business activity in the east on the rise, excluding the worst affected areas of residential red-zoning, and rapid growth in the west and north slowing in most neighbourhoods.

The use of secondary data sources to measure the economic consequences of post-disaster environments and

change is common, however capturing the complexity of the recovery environment and outcomes over time is challenging. During the recovery period reporting of economic, social and physical changes and outcomes needs to be at spatial and temporal scales that reflect the intensity of the recovery process. In New Zealand, there is a long-standing reporting programme for many of these indicators, although their application following major disasters is limited when change is accelerated and intensified.

To understand how the economic impact of the Canterbury earthquakes has been felt differently during the recovery across Christchurch’s neighbourhoods, we have undertaken research that asks: 1. How is the city changing in terms of where retail activity takes place?

2. Which places have changed the most?

3. What factors are associated with the changes?

Bringing the data together There are a number of factors that will influence business activity during the recovery of Christchurch, for this research we were primarily interested in the effect of earthquake damage on retail business numbers and spending.

To model this we drew on multiple sources of data: business demographics from Statistics New Zealand, electron-

Temporary CBD retail and hospitality space helped to keep businesses in their pre-earthquake locations

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ic spending from Marketview and land/building damage from CERA. We were interested in identifying neighbourhoods (defined by census area unit boundaries) where economic performance for the retail industry was unexpectedly better or worse given their physical conditions following the Canterbury earthquakes. To do this we modelled the relationship between the number of retail businesses in an area unit, and the amount of retail spending per area unit, for each of the years ended 2012-14. Our models accounted for proxy indicators of damaged land (CERA technical land classification) and buildings (CERA commercial building demolitions register) as factors that are likely to have influenced the relocation of businesses and economic performance across Christchurch city.

Our indicator of land damage may be problematic when applied to models of economic activity as in Christchurch these classifications relate to land zoned residential only.

Nonetheless, we consider residential land zoning to provide insight into the level of liquefaction related damage in a neighbourhood, and a higher classification level is likely to suggest a negative impact on land and infrastructure important for business as well as households. This indicator was developed to ensure census area units with less residential land in them did not get a lower indicator of land damage than a fully residential area.

Each individual data set was linked to a unique census area unit identifier for modelling via multiple linear regression. After fitting each model, deviance residuals were generated for each area unit to identify observed areas with over- and under-prediction. Residual values are calculated as the difference between the observed and predicted economic outcome within the model. Therefore, negative (better) residual values indicate that the observed economic performance is better than we expect given the values for individual variables in the model and vice versa for positive (worse) residual values. For this research we were interested in comparing the economic performance of the worst and best performing neighbourhoods in Christchurch to identify attributes of the area that may have contributed to such outcomes.

been so badly damaged it is unlikely it can be built on for a prolonged period) and TC3 (land that is likely to suffer moderate to significant liquefaction damage in a future earthquake event and requires site specific geotechnical investigation and engineering solutions) land classifications, and commercial building demolitions increases spending drops, even after accounting for the number of merchants in an area. Neighbourhoods with a higher proportion of TC2 and TC1 land yielded an increase in spending, pointing to a displacement of economic activity to neighbourhoods where business, and probably everyday life is easier.

In absolute terms the level of expenditure and transactions in high performing neighbourhoods was markedly higher than the rest of the city. In the year ending February 2014 the group of best performing retail areas had an average monthly spend of over $5.5M from more than 100,000 transactions compared to nearly $1M from almost 22,5000 transactions in the worst performing areas. This was not a product of more businesses agglomerated in each area, we found an average of 35 compared to 34 retail businesses in these neighbourhoods during the same time period.

Not all places are equal The persistence of an association between land damage and retail spending, even after accounting for the number of businesses still operating in a neighbourhood, suggests that not all places are equal when it comes to conducting business successfully after the Canterbury earthquakes.

High levels of demolitions and residential land damage will likely lead to perceptions of recovery that vary significantly between areas no matter the actual number of retail outlets that are open for business.

Wide variation in neighbourhood economic performance We saw a clear, and not unexpected, relationship between the number of merchants and spending in a neighbourhood. For every additional retail merchant spending rose by roughly $100,000 on average. However damage to land and buildings also played an important role in explaining economic activity, even after accounting for the number of businesses present.

As the percentage coverage of red zone (land that has More than four years on and some large inner city developments are underway

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Neighbourhood businesses may increasingly become reliant on their local community with people living in the wider city less likely to make trips through a transport network that has been compromised to an urban environment whose urban amenity has been reduced by earthquake damage.

Business recovery often entails adaptation rather than a return to normal. In Christchurch we observed the displacement of business activity outward from Modelled relative economic performance of the retail industry in Christchurch’s neighbourhoods damaged areas and into the city. We spoke to SCIRT during the data collection places that were either already succeeding and/or had for this research but were unable to obtain data on past excess capacity such as Riccarton and Hornby. These patrepair activities that could be used alongside the other terns demonstrate the ability of individual businesses to datasets in our model. The relationship between infraadapt to new environments but tells us little about what structure repairs and neighbourhood recovery remains an this means for the long-term success of these operators, important focus of our ongoing natural hazards research and the implications for both their new neighbourhoods programme; there are potential tools such as the Forward and the ones they leave behind. Prior to the earthquakes, Works viewer that could be utilised to supply spatial and Christchurch was already undergoing a process of decentemporal data for levels of service across the city. Additralisation of business activity out of the central business tionally, while we can monitor an increase and decrease district. It is not yet clear whether this trend will be intenin the number of businesses, transactions and spending sified, or will the central and local government intentions in an area, existing datasets do not allow us to track the to create a vibrant heart to the city succeed in re-shaping movement of individual businesses, and related activity, the city? through space and time.

Completing the picture A strength of this study is that multiple indicators of both contextual, earthquake related, indicators and factors of economic activity were brought together for spatial analysis, allowing us insight into the complexity of the recovery process. Even after accounting for indicators of physical damage to land and buildings we found wide variation in economic performance, suggesting that broader contextual factors may be underpinning uneven economic recovery across the city.

Nevertheless we were restricted to proxy indicators for damage, residential land zoning and building demolitions do not tell the full story of the earthquakes impact on Christchurch’s neighbourhoods. In particular, disruption to infrastructure during the disaster events and subsequent SCIRT repair programme have created significant challenges to business and community activities across

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The initial results presented here reveal uneven patterns of recovery across the city. It will be increasingly important to observe, and inform, the recovery of Christchurch by understanding trends in business movement and economic activity across the city as the central city blueprint is brought to life. This ongoing piece of research aims to reveal the long term economic and social consequences of change for the shape and nature of Christchurch’s neighbourhoods, and the implications for the whole city and its residents.

There are learnings for other New Zealand cities also, strong links between businesses and communities will build resilience and help neighbourhoods toward recovery after a major hazard event. In Christchurch local shops became important places for social interaction and wellbeing so it is important to understand how the decision for firms to leave, and return to, an area affects the residents living there and vice versa.

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Issue 83 September 2015

• TECHNOLOGY

SURVEY IN MOTION Allan Hosking, Director, Survey Solutions Handheld 3D scanners are a game changer in the 3D scanning industry. They provide a lot of exciting opportunities for spatial professionals in this rapidly changing industry. Handheld 3D scanning has traditionally been used in manufacturing, movie industry and university research organisations. Accuracies of up to 50 microns or 0.05 millimetres are achievable with top of the range 3D scanners.

Objects measured vary in size from a one dollar coin to an entire car.

Spatial professionals have been using tripod based terrestrial 3D laser scanners for many years, allowing complex work areas to be surveyed in detail quickly. However several issues have held back terrestrial 3D scanners being adopted by many spatial professionals even though they have been commercially available for more than fifteen years. The large initial capital investment combined with annual service and calibration fees has been a big constraining factor. Working on congested sites requires many tripod setups pushing up the survey fee quickly, often making the service cost prohibitive. During the site survey, placing targets around the work area can be very time consuming for geo-referencing the point clouds and the position of the terrestrial 3D scanner. And finally the learning curve is considerable and can take several months or more to master.

The ZEB1 3D laser scanner from GeoSLAM in the United Kingdom is a handheld 3D laser scanner suitable for indoor and outdoor applications involving rapid 3D scanning of large areas for spatial professionals. It uses simultaneous localisation and mapping, or otherwise known as SLAM, to position itself while you walk around the site undertaking the survey. In addition to the 3D laser scanner component there is also an inbuilt inertial motion unit, otherwise known as IMU, to measure all the horizontal, vertical and rotational movements of the 3D scanner head.

The Learning curve is minimal and involves turning on the unit using the power button. The operator then walks around the survey area carrying the unit in his hand which weighs 665 grams. Everything around the operator within line of sight and within a measurement envelope of 270 degrees horizontally and +100 degrees vertically is

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measured. As the unit is handheld and truly mobile the operator can walk into the tightest of spaces and obtain complete coverage of the work area quickly. At the end of the survey the unit is powered down and turned off.

During the survey no targets are required.

After the site survey is completed the data is downloaded to the office computer via a USB memory stick. Processing of the data is completed automatically in the Cloud once the data is uploaded. The Cloud processing saves on having to purchase expensive 3D scanning software with the huge learning curve and costly yearly maintenance and update issues.

The investment cost is less than an entry level budget robotic total station. In addition annual maintenance and calibration is not required. Having a cost effective solution opens up a huge range of new business opportunities.

To date there are several ZEB1 3D laser scanners in New Zealand and the applications are varied. The most common application is for measured building and BOMA surveys to generate 2D drawings such as floor plans and cross sections. Other applications include topographical surveys in forestry areas and stock pile/volume surveys in the mining sector.

An example of the productivity gains of using ZEB1 is a recent survey of an existing commercial building with more than 100 rooms spread over a 150 metre long building. Every room in the building was 3D scanned internally using ZEB1 in six hours – that’s 4-times faster than a terrestrial 3D scanner.

The use of handheld 3D scanners is very new to spatial professionals but is game changing technology. Over the next few years there will be an increasing number of new handheld 3D scanner products suitable for the applications of spatial professionals. It will be the early adopters of such technology who will reap the most benefit.

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• LEGAL

COLUMN

SHARED BOUNDARIES Who owns what?

Stephanie Harris, Glaister Ennor Solicitors Recently, the media reported a number of high profile figures at war with their neighbours, involving dramatic action such as one party unilaterally digging up structures laid along shared boundaries. It is an age old issue, but given the current trend of increasing intensification of housing developments, issues around shared boundaries between adjoining owners are becoming more and more important.

In the June edition of this magazine (Issue 82) I wrote about different methods of owning and managing shared lanes and facilities, something that is appearing more and more in this current climate. In this article, I outline the different ways shared boundaries may be legally structured and issues that may arise when a structure belonging to one owner encroaches over the boundary shared with the adjoining owner. These issues can significantly impact on a landowner’s interest in their land, highlighting once again the importance of accurate survey of boundaries and comprehensive advice on parties’ respective rights.

port to the other in respect of their section of the wall, divided longitudinally, on their side of the boundary. An easement of support entitles an owner of a building to the support of the other side of the wall and for it not to be removed without replacement. It does not prevent the neighbouring owner of the wall from allowing it to decay and eventually remove the support.

An easement of support must actually be granted. This is in contrast to a landowner’s natural right of support of adjoining land that does not need to be granted. It simply exists.

Party walls

Party walls situated on one side of the boundary

A party wall is a wall which is common to two separate buildings. Each of the adjoining owners has rights in respect of the wall separating their properties. Different ways a party wall may be structured include: 1. The wall is divided longitudinally into two sections, each section being subject to a cross-easement in favour of the owner of the other; 2. The wall belongs entirely to one of the adjoining owners, but is subject to an easement in favour of the other to have it maintained as a dividing wall; 3. The wall is divided longitudinally into two sections, one belonging to each of the adjoining owners; 4. The two adjoining owners own the wall as tenants in common.

Party walls on a shared boundary – cross easement of support The most common structure of party walls is number one above, where the wall lies on a shared boundary, and each owner of the adjoining land grants an easement of sup-

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It may be possible for a party wall to exist that does not lie squarely on a shared boundary, but is situated wholly on one owner’s land, though supporting the two adjoining properties or interests in land. In this scenario, an easement granted in favour of the non-owning other party is absolutely critical to record the ongoing right of support.

Otherwise your only option is to persuade the Court to exercise its discretion that the support should be continued (a by no means certain act).

Party walls on a shared boundary without the support of an easement Where a party wall lies squarely on a shared boundary, and no cross-easement of support is granted in favour of the other owner (i.e., number three above), each half of the wall divided longitudinally belongs to the owner of the land upon which the respective part of the wall is situated. Each owner may deal with their half of the wall as they wish, provided no injury is caused to the other half.

Enforcement of rectification of damage caused in the ab-

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sence of the support of an easement can be very difficult.

In the fourth case above, a party wall of which the two adjoining owners are tenants in common can only be created when the adjoining owners are tenants in common of the land upon which the wall stands. If the parties are not already tenants in common of that land, a separate certificate of title would have to be issued for the land on which the wall stands. This might involve a survey and perhaps the deposit of a survey plan. As co-owners, they are concurrently entitled to use and enjoy the shared structure.

This is simply not practicable for most cases.

The various structures above illustrate the considerations involved in constructing party walls on shared boundaries or not on the boundary but between adjoining premises representing separate interests in land. A negative covenant can contain the same restriction as a negative easement but differences exist in terms of enforcement, which I cover in more detail below. As the negative easement of right of support is established and provides the grantee with the benefit of a relatively easier means of enforcement, it is often the most appropriate way to structure a party wall.

Overhanging eaves Eaves are the edges of a roof which overhang the face of a wall and project beyond the side of a building to let water run-off the building. More and more commonly with density the eaves overhang the boundary between two adjoining properties.

I am aware there has been commentary and discussion in recent times in relation to overhanging eaves. Being that a vertical boundary (so called zero Lot line) is suggested to address the issue of eaves located on the boundary, the thinking being that no additional easements were required because the vertical boundary line goes around the overhanging eaves.

Put aside for a moment that often the overhanging eaves also need an accompanying maintenance easement to allow access onto the adjoining landowner’s property to maintain the eaves. As commonly the overhanging eaves reflect the fact that the dwellings are less than a metre apart and that no practical access can be gained except via the adjoining landowner’s property.

It is entirely correct that as a matter of property law the eaves must be addressed in some manner. If it has not been accommodated inside the boundary line, which traditionally of course, is how these matters would have been addressed and usually without the need for a vertical boundary, then easements are required. The creation of a vertical boundary does raise other issues and adds complications to owners’ understandings of their boundaries, but it also does not negate the need usually for a

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maintenance easement to be registered in relation to the eaves. Accordingly, my view is that for the reasons set out below, an easement is the most appropriate way to ensure the owner of the building can continue to use the overhanging eaves despite their intrusion into the airspace over the adjoining land.

An easement for overhanging eaves Unlike negative easements, the class of positive easements is not closed. The class can and should expand to meet the needs of society and thus, rights can and are created that did not previously exist, provided they meet all the requisite and essential characteristics of an easement.

An overhanging eave meets the requirements of an easement, which are that there must be a servient tenement, the easement must accommodate the dominant tenement (if there is one), the dominant and servient owners must be separate parties and the easement must be capable of forming the subject matter of a grant.

There are numerous examples of miscellaneous easements that have been recognised by the courts that align with the overhanging eaves concept and I note that easements to record airspace infringements are in common use for eaves and other items in space (e.g., power lines). I do not consider that the airspace infringement of an eave meets the definition of “encroachment”, which essentially requires the construction of a structure over the boundary between titles, and can only be rectified by a boundary adjustment.

An easement for eaves overhang will allow the owner of the building to use the eaves without transferring ownership of physical structures or altering the ownership of the underlying land. I outline other benefits of easements below.

Easements generally – rights and obligations implied under the Land Transfer Regulations 2002 An easement has the advantage of giving the owner of the benefiting land the relative ease of creation and enforcement for breach.

The Land Transfer Regulations 2002 (LTR) set out implied obligations in easements and procedure for dispute resolution. Clause 11 of Schedule 4 states the responsibility of the parties for arranging and paying for the repair and maintenance of an easement and sets the standard of maintenance. If the grantor and grantee share the use of the facility, each user is responsible equally for arranging the maintenance and for the cost of the work. If the grantee has exclusive use of the easement facility, the grantee is solely responsible for arranging the repair and maintenance of the easement facility, and for the associated costs.

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Where there is a default by the grantor or the grantee of an easement in complying with the obligations in an easement, the LTR set out a procedure whereby the party not in default may give a written notice of 7 working days for the defaulting party to meet the obligation. If the party in default has not met the obligation, the other party may enter the land and meet the obligation, and may recover from the party in default the costs incurred in meeting the obligation.

The LTR also set out dispute resolution procedures for parties who have a registered interest under an easement.

Parties must first attempt to resolve the dispute in good faith using informal dispute resolution techniques, failing which the dispute must be referred to arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996.

Additionally, a legal easement creates a right that prevails against all the world and permanently binds the land over which it is exercisable and continues for the advantage of the benefiting land.

Restrictive covenants In contrast, a restrictive covenant, which can function like a negative easement by restricting what an owner of a land may do with their land in favour of the owner of the benefiting land, exists only as an equitable interest in land, so that only equitable remedies are available for their breach. Whereas the LTR for easements focus on parties’ own resolution of any disputes without the involvement of the Court in the first instance, in respect of covenants a dominant owner must apply to the Court for an injunction to prevent a breach of the covenant. The owner can also seek damages by Court order for actual loss suffered by the claimant.

In respect of both easements and covenants, parties may seek a Court order under s 313 of the Property Law Act 2007 relating to a question or dispute concerning the existence or effect of an easement or covenant.

Additionally, negative covenants do not bind bona fide purchasers for value without notice, though it can be noted on the title so that all subsequent purchasers have notice.

Fences – Fencing Act 1978 At common law an occupier of land is under no duty to fence off his or her land from the adjoining land of a neighbour. But when a fence is built, the middle of the fence must be on the boundary line including the posts supporting the fence. The Fencing Act 1978 provides that where a fence does encroach upon any land of which the person who erected the fence is not the occupier, the occupier of that land may apply for a Court order to remove the fence. A fence includes all gates, culverts and channels

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that are part of or are incidental to a fence and also includes any natural or artificial watercourse or live fence, or any ditch or channel or raised ground that serves as a dividing fence.

The Act provides that parties may make any covenant, contract or agreement in respect of any fence between adjoining landowners. Subject to such an agreement, the Act provides that the cost of any work required to be done on a fence on a shared boundary must be borne by the occupiers of the adjoining lands in equal proportions. The Act also sets out how an occupier may compel the adjoining landowner to contribute to the cost of work on a fence by giving a notice as prescribed. Disputes may be determined by the District Court.

Fencing agreements and fencing covenants The Act also provides for both fencing agreements and fencing covenants. A fencing agreement is an agreement (not being a fencing covenant) concerning work on a fence between adjoining lands and includes an agreement not to erect a fence. The burden of fencing agreements, when registered against a title, runs with the land.

A fencing covenant is a covenant in which one party may not be required by the other party, being the occupier of the adjoining land, to contribute towards the cost of work on a fence between the parties and that does not subsist for the benefit of any subsequent purchaser for value of the land occupied by the first party. When registered, the burden of the fencing covenant runs with the land, however the covenant expires after 12 years from the date of registration.

Conclusion Structures along shared boundaries can cause conflicts between neighbours, which can cost significant amounts of time and money to resolve through legal avenues. Accurate survey of boundaries between adjoining owners, consideration of what are the necessary encumbrances on titles and how the various options should best be utilised to achieve client development objectives as to the intended duties and rights of adjoining landowners would assist in preventing such costly disputes.

Stephanie Harris is the joint managing partner of Glaister Ennor Solicitors. She has extensive experience in property and commercial law. She acts for SMEs, larger corporates, investors and developers on many large and complex property transactions and developments, ownership structures, leases, security interests and general structuring and finance.

DDI: Fax: Email:

(09) 356 8232 (09) 356 8244 stephanie.harris@glaister.co.nz

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ADAPT, INNOVATE, INTEGRATE NZIS Conference, Wellington 2015 The programme for our Wellington conference in October is coming along nicely says Matt Carson, this year’s local organising committee Chair. We have some very interesting papers on risks, both from a natural perspective and from a business aspect.

The conference opening speakers will include the Hon. Louise Upston, Minster of Lands followed by keynote presentations featuring Health and Safety and the impacts of climate change.

Health and Safety, a topical subject at present, will lead off as the keynote presentation in the Thursday afternoon session followed by a choice of offsite guided tours including the Banks Subdivision in Whitby and LINZ offices.

On Friday, natural hazards and climate change feature in a keynote presentation from Dr Scott Stephens and Dr Rob Bell of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. This will be followed by a view of the surveyor’s role in monitoring, mitigating and adapting to climate change presented by Emeritus Prof. John Hannah.

On Thursday afternoon the programme will be dedicated to six NZIS professional stream sessions followed by the gala Glenn Stone Awards dinner, which is always a conference highlight, at Te Papa Tongarewa.

Details of the programme and conference information are available on the newly launched conference website, www.nzisconference.org.nz.

Join other survey and spatial professionals at the annual NZIS conference.

Benefit from experts as they explore how surveying and spatial communities are adapting to the changes happening now.

15–16 October 2015

James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel, Wellington, New Zealand

Register now at www.nzisconference.org.nz SPECIAL NOTE FOR NZIS MEMBERS – GAIN 12 CPD POINTS FOR ATTENDANCE

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• HYDRO

PROFESSIONAL STREAM Jet-boat described in Heather’s talk.

Photo: Heather Purdie.

OUR SEAS AND OCEANS

Still to be explored and charted Steven Robbie, Morgan Bathgate, Emma Connell, Kevin He and Emily Tidey, National School of Surveying, University of Otago Introduction Every year the New Zealand Region of the Australasian Hydrographic Society (hereafter NZR-AHS) celebrate World Hydrography Day (21 June) with an annual seminar and AGM. This year LINZ kindly hosted the event at their Wellington office on the 22 June. The theme of the day was “Our seas and oceans – still to be explored and charted”.

Eleven students from the University of Otago were sponsored to attend the seminar – nine of these were BSurv students who are currently taking Hydrographic Surveying at the School of Surveying, and two were MSc students from the Department of Geology. Seven students gave short presentations covering their research and work experience and the four student authors of this article recorded events of the day. Student attendance was made possible thanks to generous sponsorship provided by the AHS, LINZ, Eliot Sinclair, Trimble NZ, NIWA, Discovery Marine Ltd (DML), IX Survey and New Zealand Ocean Technology (NZOT).

LINZ tour After a short welcome from NZR-AHS Chairman David Crossman attendees were given small group tours of five different departments at the LINZ office. These depart-

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ments encompassed many aspects of surveying, including hydrographic, topographic, spatial data infrastructure, geodetic, and the Geographic Board. At each department LINZ staff introduced the function and importance of their department and discussed their roles and what they were working on. It was very interesting to be shown how LINZ creates and updates the Topo50 maps and Nautical Charts, and how place names are allocated in NZ. The tour was enjoyable and informative, and it was great to learn how LINZ operates on a day to day basis.

Undergrad student presentations First up was Emily Tidey, hydrography lecturer at the National School of Surveying, who gave an update on the accomplishments of recent graduates who have been involved in the hydrographic sector in New Zealand and overseas. It was exciting to hear the diverse range of jobs these graduates had been involved including plane searching, port surveys, LiDAR operations, oceanography, and oil and gas monitoring.

Five of the students then made presentations to the audience. Thomas Rutter spoke about his research project that investigated the capabilities of Remotely Operated Survey Vessels (ROSVs) with mounted GNSS and Multi-

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beam Echo-Sounder (MBES). Sam McCloy, Michaela Thomson, Jeremy McCaffrey, and Michael Wilkie provided short overviews of their respective summer holiday work experiences with hydrographic surveying. They described the work they had been involved in, what they had learned, and explained the value and requirements of work experience whilst studying the BSurv.

Presentations Glaciology Industry presentations began with an interesting presentation from glaciologist Heather Purdie from the University of Canterbury Geography Department. She reported on using a remote-controlled jet boat alongside a traditional boat to survey the bathymetry at the terminus of Tasman Glacier. The data from this survey is to be used as part of investigations into the processes that govern interaction between ice and water at the calving face of the glacier.

Emily Tidey was noted for helping with the bathymetric surveying and error analysis.

Autonomous underwater vehicles and seafloor research

Thomas Rutter being presented with the AHS Society Education Award by Chairman David Crossman.

Photo: Gary Chisholm.

Bruce Wallen being presented with the AHS Award of Merit for Career Achievement in Hydrography by Chairman David Crossman. Photo: Maurice Perwick.

AHS Awards NZR-AHS Chairman, David Crossman, presented two AHS Awards. Bruce Wallen was presented with an Award of Merit for Career Achievement in Hydrography. This was to recognise his involvement and contribution to hydrography for over 35 years, including government and private industry roles and guest lecturing at the National School of Surveying. Thomas Rutter was then presented with the AHS Education Award. This award is presented for study in maritime disciplines and contribution to the industry. The award was for his project investigating ROSV capabilities.

The NZR-AHS were very pleased to have two of their members recognised by the Society.

Fabio Tontini from GNS Science spoke about seafloor mapping using Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), and explained how they can travel deep beneath the sea and close to the seafloor, picking up extensive feature details.

He presented data of a submarine volcano collected using measurements from both ship and AUV systems. Following this, Helen Neil from NIWA gave an update on the activities and advancements within the Institute, including natural resource searches with water column data collection, commissioning of new equipment and canyon-channel complexes showing contrasting morphologies. It was fascinating to see new detail being added to canyon areas that previously were almost blank on charts.

Pre-1995 surveying. Photos: Dave Mundy.

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echo sounders (MBES) available on the market, as well as the new developments ENL’s Research and Development department are working on. ENL are the main distributors of WASSP produced MBES. Doug Bergerson from Acoustic Imaging showed how hydrographic data processing has evolved over the years.

He introduced the concept of ‘The Total Workflow’ and with this, software called Qimera. Using Qimera, multiple steps in the workflow can be merged together and made simpler. As students, it was interesting to see the range of processing software available, and how this technology will progress in the future.

Health and safety Recent LINZ hydrographic surveys. Image: A. Price, LINZ.

History of hydrographic surveying Dave Mundy from IX Survey spoke about how hydrographic surveying and the associated outputs have changed over the past 25 years, giving an informative insight into some of the history of the industry and the advancement of the information gathered. As students it was intriguing to see how things have changed, and how different some hydrographic surveying tasks are when compared to methods and equipment from the past.

GNSS positioning Trimble representative Gary Chisholm spoke about the many different ways in which GNSS positioning success can be compromised by interference, jamming, or spoofing. The approaches for mitigating these effects were also covered.

Multibeam systems and data processing Greg Fletcher of Electronic Navigation Limited (ENL) informed us of the current models of WASSP multi beam

Robert Eaton presented on the importance of health and safety in the oil and gas industry. Any failings or serious accidents in this industry have the potential to not only harm people, but also the environment, infrastructure, and the reputation of the company involved. The value of reporting and learning from every failure in the industry was also highlighted along with the attempted mitigation of risk factors. It was also noted that common sense is not so common, therefore it is vital that people in the industry are well trained and informed in the mitigation of risks.

LINZ update Three presenters from LINZ delivered the annual LINZ update. Andrew Price presented information on the survey campaign that was carried out by LINZ from 2014 to 2015.

This comprised the survey of Houhora Harbour in Northland and the survey of the Auckland Islands, as well as a LiDAR analysis project to explore its charting potential. In addition, Andrew also revealed some upcoming surveys and charting programmes around New Zealand. The next topic of the update was NZ Hydrography Risk Assessment presented by Stuart Caie who gave a rundown on different

University of Otago research vessel Polaris II. Photo: Sean Heseltine.

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undertaken offshore of Otago. With the use of a boomer, hydrophone and MBES on the university vessel Polaris II, Cameron imaged the head of the Waitaki Canyon, while Andy investigated shelf sedimentation and faults along the southern coast of Otago.

These projects are still ongoing and they hope to formulate conclusions regarding features and processes they have observed in their data. Both of these surveys were undertaken using MBES equipment that was generously provided by Fugro BTW Ltd and Fugro Survey, with help from Craig and Emily Tidey.

AGM and closing 2015 Otago University graduates with hydrographic surveying jobs and Lecturer Emily Tidey. Photo: Colin O’Bryne.

risks associated with hydrography and how these can be modelled and mitigated. Finally, Ed Griffin outlined the NZ Bathymetry Investigation Project. He explained why bathymetry is important, the focus for the project and the data collection aspect of the project. As hydrography students, it was exciting to hear about about these upcoming programmes as they have the potential to provide future work for us!

Royal New Zealand Navy Tim Hall and Phillip Davies from Geospatial Intelligence New Zealand presented on the work undertaken by the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) as part of a relief effort in Vanuatu after cyclone Pam. They demonstrated the importance of hydrographic surveying in a different aspect.

To provide relief to the affected island, multiple potential landing areas were surveyed and analysed to determine their suitability for use. Without any landing zones, Royal Navy boats could not beach and provide the necessary aid. Therefore hydrographic surveying was shown to be a vital aspect of responding – and providing relief – to areas affected by natural disasters. The RNZN work was undertaken with very short notice and under extreme time pressure as the affected island was devastated and in desperate need of aid. As well as this, tide information was also lacking which made the surveying work even more challenging. Despite these difficulties, work was completed and aid was successfully distributed.

Postgrad student presentations

The AGM took place at the end of the day where Ron Tyson became the new chair of NZR-AHS. David Crossman was acknowledged as the former chair and was congratulated for his service to the role and the Society.

After the AGM, most participants all took a walk to the Wellington waterfront for a long awaited dinner. (The Wellington weather treated all well with blustery winds and icy rain.) The students enjoyed food and drinks with various people who had attended the seminar and were very interested in hearing their insights and stories about their experience in the industry and life in general. Thanks must go to David Crossman who organised industry support on the day to cover the cost of our dinner!

The World Hydrography Day theme was covered from many angles at the seminar, and while the presentations showed a wide variety of hydrographic activities occurring in NZ they also highlighted that there still remains much more of our seas and oceans to be explored. Next year’s seminar, proposed as a two day event after the success of this year, will be hosted by the National School of Surveying in Dunedin.

In conclusion, the students would like to say thank you again to the generous sponsors for making their participation in this seminar a possibility, and opening their eyes to the varied world of hydrographic surveyors.

More info For more information on the NZR-AHS please visit: http://www.hydrographicsociety.org.nz For more information on World Hydrography Day please visit the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) website: https://www.iho.int

The final presentations of the day were given by University of Otago Masters student’s Cameron Abbey and Andy Holt who were both presenting on seismic investigations

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UN urges global approach to geodesy John Summers, Communications Account Manager, LINZ The United Nations (UN) has called for a worldwide approach to geodesy – an important step towards creating a global geodetic reference frame.

New Zealand was one of 51 countries to push for the resolution, which was passed by the UN General Assembly earlier this year. Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) helped to provide the UN with information on the need for the resolution and contributed to its development.

The resolution emphasises the growing demand for more satellite positioning services but also the value of a global reference frame – a tool that relies on greater sharing of data.

A global geodetic reference frame supports a system of coordinates for the whole planet and would be valuable for a wide range of location based uses, from urban planning to climate research. For New Zealand, the use of the global reference frame would make a huge contribution to our understanding of earth processes including the impacts created by earthquakes. Common reference frames mean we can combine Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) information with geological data, LiDAR and other data for more detail on the effects of earthquakes and tsunamis. Geodetic reference frames have already provided a useful benchmark for the Christchurch rebuild. Other uses include managing other natural hazards like flooding and storms, mapping and navigation, and monitoring global changes like sea level rise.

The General Assembly emphasised that “no one country can do this alone,” and LINZ hopes others will heed this message. We already share the data we collect from our PositioNZ network of continuously operating GNSS stations. We support a station on the Chatham Islands that is part of France’s DORIS network – a precision navigation system that is used as an independent measure of the GNSS systems. At Warkworth, north of Auckland, the Auckland University of Technology operates a radio telescope which is used partly to make Very Long Baseline

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Interferometry (VLBI) measurements with our support.

This provides data which is used to establish the scale of global reference frames. More recently we have set up an absolute gravity network in New Zealand and the Ross Sea Region of Antarctica and are collecting absolute gravity data. This will contribute to our efforts to update New Zealand’s vertical datum, and we are also sharing this internationally. These varied tools and techniques provide different types of geodetic measurements, which can then be collated and tied together to contribute to the Global Reference Frame determination, for example LINZ has just completed an accurate tie between the VLBI and GNSS antennas at Warkworth.

While the location information gathered by these tools will contribute to a global reference frame with long term benefits for New Zealand, it also has immediate benefits through greater accuracy in the GNSS that our surveyors, spatial professionals and others rely on to do their work.

But not all nations have this ability to contribute, and as part of this resolution, the UN also urged support for developing nations. LINZ is supporting our Pacific island neighbours by sharing our knowledge and helping them to grow their geodetic expertise, so they might also share location data with the rest of the world.

Now that the UN resolution has passed, LINZ will contribute to the international working groups that aim to carry it forward. These groups will develop a roadmap and strategy for implementing the UN’s resolution, while creating opportunities for government and intergovernmental organisations to discuss reference frame issues and research. We look forward to seeing this progress, and to seeing New Zealand and the world enjoy the benefits of this new approach to geodesy.

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• BCB

COMMENTARY

Easements Mick Strack, National School of Surveying Easements continue to provide a frequent source of dispute and conflict between affected neighbours. Here I want to comment on the importance of documenting all easements absolutely clearly and accurately by reference to a few recent cases.

1. In a dispute about a driveway in Remuera (Macken v Jervis), a narrow parcel of land was subdivided into 2 lots, with an intended reciprocal Right of Way to be created down one side of the allotment.

A house was built on the front lot with a garage near the front perpendicular to the RoW (so access and manoeuvring space are difficult) and with a wall along the RoW boundary. Vehicle access to the rear section and the back yard of the front section was intended to be along the 2 easement strips (3m total width). Unfortunately, while the rear section has reciprocal rights over the strips, an error in preparing and recording the easement document omitted a dominant right over the rear lot’s strip in favour of the front lot. The result of this error is that the front lot has only 1.5m manoeuvring space into the garage and only 1.5m allowance to access the back yard (possible on bicycle or motorbike, but not a car).

The relationship between the current owners has understandably deteriorated to the extent that they will not compromise on their registered rights, and have taken their dispute to the High Court. The judge was critical of the poor behaviour of both parties, and commented “it has proved impossible for the intelligent people who live in each to resolve their differences in a pragmatic manner”.

While the plan of survey appears to illustrate the intention to create the reciprocal right of way, the Memorandum of Easements records in full all the service easements over both strips, but includes the RoW only in favour of the rear lot. The creation of the Right of Way was clearly a condition of subdivision, and the plan was signed off by the Council, so the Council may have some responsibility for the easement not being registered correctly.

As is often the case, when property rights are threatened, neighbours can become very intransigent, uncompromising, and litigious. The financial costs, emotional

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Disputed Remuera driveway (Macken v Jervis)

stress, and damaged neighbourhood relationships usually far outweigh the value of the contested land, and the only winners are lawyers who charge fees irrespective of whether they win or lose.

The omission of the right of way appears to be a result of a long string of inadequate checks on plans, documents and consent conditions, but it does the surveying profession no credit when a judge reports “an error was made by the surveyors and those responsible for registering the easements.”

In order to argue in favour of the right of way, the front lot noted that the land was landlocked because their back yard could not be accessed. However, the Court of Appeal recently determined that the landlocked land provisions in the Property Law Act cannot be used to claim additional rights merely because of inconvenient access (see Breslin v Lyon – reported on in SQ No 77), although in previous precedent (Sayes v Wentworth) the High Court had allowed for the correction of a mistakenly omitted easement. It may be observed that in theory our Land Transfer system allows for corrections of mistakes by the Registrar-General (although here the mistake was not that of the Registrar but of the parties applying for registration).

The court observed in this case that it was the applicant claiming the right and that they themselves were party to the omission, meaning that they had brought this problem on themselves, and implying that they were solely responsible for remedying the omission.

The case has similarities to the older Dunedin case Sutton v O’Kane 1973, where there was a very clear intent to create a RoW, but it was never registered against the titles. A title is indefeasible notwithstanding alternative intentions and requirements.

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2. The case Olo Ltd v K A No3 Trustee Ltd on Waiheke Island was explicitly about whether a caveat could be supported, however, the wider discussion about how an easement may be created is of more interest to surveyors. In this case an access agreement was reached during purchase negotiations to allow Olo Ltd to use the driveway of a neighbour for the purposes of demolition and building works on its land. A dispute arose about whether the agreement was an equitable easement or a contractual licence – the difference affects whether Olo’s interests can support a caveat lodged to protect its interest, but more widely affects whether the interest stays with the land or remains solely between the initial parties to the agreement. The court examined the nature and requirements of the agreement and of an easement, including how the access was spatially defined and how the purpose was stated.

While a registered easement (Right of Way) must be spatially defined (on the land and by adequate dimensions and usually with defined entry and exit points), and it must be consented by the local authority and recorded on the title; this court concluded that an equitable easement can be created where the spatial definition is by description and use (e.g. the existing driveway – defined by use over many years, not defined by dimensions), where there may be no local authority consent (and the driveway would not comply with any council conditions), and where it is not recorded on the title.

It is worth reviewing the court’s commentary about easements.

The common law characteristics of an easement are: 1) there must be a dominant and servient tenement; 2) an easement must accommodate the dominant tenement; 3) dominant and servient owners must be different persons; and 4) a right over land cannot amount to an easement, unless it is capable of forming the subject-matter of a grant.

However, New Zealand legislation (Property Law Act 2007) has over-ridden the first 2 requirements by allowing for easements in gross, and the third requirement is countered by s90E Land Transfer Act (2002 amendment).

With regard to the fourth requirement, this court summarised the principles: a) the rights cannot be too wide or vague; b) the rights cannot amount to joint occupation that would deprive the servient tenement of its right to possession; and c) the rights must be more than mere rights of recreation.

The issue of intent was examined by the court – did the parties intend to create an easement or was it intended

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to be personal between the parties? Here it seemed clear that the right to use the driveway would be available to successors in title – the current parties having no exclusive relationship or purpose that would be different for subsequent owners. Similarly the court recognised that the time period of use did not make this a licence rather than an easement “There is no logical reason why rights granted for a limited period of time should not be able to form the basis of an easement.”

So the court decided that the agreement did create an equitable easement, and that in order to create a registered easement it was incumbent on the grantor to seek local authority consent for the easement.

3. It is worth recording, on the basis of a UK case reported in BCB, that our courts have another route by which to address conflicts about the scope of use of an easement to gain access to land. The case Donovan v Rana examines the use of a Right of Way created “for all purposes connected with the use and enjoyment of property but not for any other purpose.” The purpose of the Right of Way was to enable the dominant owner to build a dwelling house. The dispute arose about whether the Right included the ability to connect to the utilities along the right of way. Here the court decided that as the intent was to allow for a modern dwelling, and there is a reasonable expectation that this presupposes connection to modern utilities, then such utility connection was allowed for in the right of way.

In New Zealand, s326 of the Property Law Act 2007 which provides for reasonable access, now defines such access as including “for persons and services.” In other words while most case law refers to persons requiring physical access onto their land, “services of a nature and quantity that is reasonably necessary to enable the owner or occupier of the land to use and enjoy the land for any purpose …” can also be provided for.

To return to the first case discussion, above, in other cases where the rights for other services along an easement are not clearly described it would seem that the courts could determine land to be landlocked not because of physical (walking or drive-on) access, but because of ability to provide required services. Unfortunately, in the Macken case, it is the right of way that was omitted and the services included, not vice versa.

The lesson to take from these cases is that extra care needs to be taken when defining all easements, both spatially and functionally.

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• PERSPECTIVE

Supporting Women in Spatial Nathan Heazlewood, GIS Programme Manager I’ve been in the spatial industry for two decades, and I firmly believe that the work that we do has major benefits to commerce, governance, society and especially the environment (more than other branches of IT). With this in mind we need the most talented people working with GIS, whatever their gender, race, religion etc.

This has led me recently to consider topics of women in the spatial industry, whether their demographic representation is what it should be, whether the industry welcomes and retains women workers and whether they are treated equitably. I discussed topics related to this with the Minister for Land Information and Minister for Women, the Hon. Louise Upston, and she made these comments: “The GIS industry is an area of growth both here and overseas, and we need the best people for the job to meet future demand for skilled workers. Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) is involved in some exciting projects in the spatial industry and I have been impressed by the work of some of their young female professionals. Geodetic Surveyor Paula Gentle’s work helps maintain New Zealand’s positioning system using the national network of Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) and define within millimetres how New Zealand is moving. This vital work helps us to determine New Zealand’s annual movement – around 5cm – and ensure we are all able to use the Global Positioning System (GPS) effectively in New Zealand. ~ “In many occupations, such as GIS, that have higher levels of pay and better employment opportunities women are underrepresented. ~ “Although the gender gap is narrowing – women are currently underutilised in the labour market. The Government’s business growth agenda has a focus on lifting productivity and better utilising women’s skills as a key to lifting productivity. Women and girls need to be encouraged to train and work in occupations where high-growth is projected and where women are currently under-represented e.g. construction and trades, engineering, and information and communications technology. ~

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What does a red blooded, beer drinking kiwi male think about women in spatial? Nathan (left side of photo) playing rugby for LINZ against Treasury (circa 2000).

“Employers need to think differently about how they recruit and retain skilled staff. I am encouraging LINZ to lead the way in helping show the varied and stimulating careers paths in the spatial sciences, for both men and women.” ~ Recently there have been some great initiatives, particularly in the USA, to encourage more female workers and students to consider a career in Science, Technology, Economics or Mathematics (STEM) which includes GIS, although there is still much to be done. Steve Ranger (UK editor-in-chief, TechRepublic and ZDNet) posted an interesting article in Tech Republic on this issue across technology in general stating: “Girls do better than boys in tech exams – so why don’t they want to join the industry? Women are still massively under-represented in the tech world – and the problem is likely to get worse rather than better.”

I suspect that the answers to this question are many and varied, but some reasons are likely to include: maternity and childcare commitments that make it difficult to balance with or return to technical roles, the perception that technical subjects are ‘a male dominated domain’ which therefore puts young women off this career path, as well as blatant, hidden or subconscious sexist hiring or promotion. If we are to encourage intelligent women into the industry then we need to be able to demonstrate that this is an industry where everyone’s contribution is valued and that women are given equal opportunities for advancement etc.

An issue that deserves more attention is that we have very poor statistics for measurements such as: the number of people working in the industry, the number of women, and the proportions of male/females in senior roles etc. There have been a few attempts (such as surveys by URISA, SIBA and WIS) at measuring some of these factors

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through voluntary on-line surveys but these types of studies have complicating factors so I tried another approach by analysing data across many years of the NZ Esri User Conference, which introduces its own complicating factors, such as focussing on one software vendor’s audience, however also has advantages such as annual consistent repetition and a large sample size.

A summary of the findings is that there is roughly a female/male ratio of 1:4 in the GIS workforce, and around five times as many male managers as there are females.

Another finding is that over the last few years these ratios do not appear to be changing (although continued analysis is recommended). Interestingly there are a higher proportion of females currently coming through studying GIS at the University of Canterbury at around 33% (will they find work in the industry and will they stay?)

My major point with asking for better statistics is so that we can prove or disprove whether the number of women in the industry is growing and whether women are getting promoted etc. If these things are not happening at a rate that could be expected then we would be able to start to properly analyse why, instead of making assumptions based on conjecture.

I have presented details about this and some suggestions for career advancement to Women In Spatial groups around the country which has generated a lot of discussion. One recent development in the area is that the benefits of the Women In Spatial group have been recognised

by NZIS within the Spatial Stream.

My engagement with the Women In Spatial group has highlighted some interesting attitudes from men I know in a variety of positions and roles within the industry.

There have been a number of off-hand comments made to me when I have mentioned speaking to these groups that only serve to indicate that sexism hasn’t completely disappeared from our industry (perhaps it is just being hidden more effectively?)

Less obvious but insidious comments have often included ‘why do we need a Women In Spatial group when there are plenty of mixed-sex forums?’ or ‘where is the Men In Spatial group?’. There is some misunderstanding that this group represents some form of ‘reverse discrimination’ but in my limited experience this is incorrect. There are and always have been ‘Men In Spatial’ groups, it is just that they go by other names and are perhaps less organised. The names by which these groups go by include ‘the pub on Friday for beersies’ and ‘the old boys network’.

For example: several times in the past year I have enjoyed going to some Super 15 and All Blacks games with groups of male colleagues. Although all the women in the office were invited, for some reason they were less inclined to go to a packed and rowdy pre-game pub for

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Here’s a tip fellas – sometimes women enjoy different pastimes and styles of out-of-work-time meetings to men – are they only permitted to congregate if it is to do activities that men like doing? a chat about McCaw’s longevity mixed in with discussing recent GIS projects (although I am sure there are some women who would enjoy this). I am sure that many deals in our industry are still massaged through in a network of senior men playing a round of golf then having cigars and cognac back at the clubhouse.

Here’s a tip fellas – sometimes women enjoy different pastimes and styles of out-of-work-time meetings to men – are they only permitted to congregate if it is to do activities that men like doing?

Sometimes women are just more comfortable and able to voice their thoughts in each other’s company for a change, without some of the complications of mixed company. If these informal groups of men drinking beer together and discussing work and cheerleaders are OK then what is wrong with a group of women networking over a coffee and to chat about fashion and the latest software release?

Another way of encouraging young women to join technical industries is to provide role models that they can relate to. Unfortunately conferences and other forums are often dominated by male speakers. Would it not be better if from an early age role models for school girls included successful technical women such as Michelle Dickinson (MNZM) rather than say Katy Perry? (note: if you don’t know who Michelle Dickinson is then that just supports my point- Google her).

Mentoring is another valuable way that we can support young women (and men, and in fact anyone of any age).

This is another initiative that the Women In Spatial group is working to help recent graduates to get established within the industry.

I think that it is the duty of our industry as a whole to support talented professionals, graduates and their younger siblings to join and stay in our industry no matter what their gender or other characteristics.

Nathan Heazlewood is a Senior Programme/Project Manager with more than 20 years’ experience in the spatial industry both in NZ and overseas. Opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of his employers. For more information about the Women In Spatial Group contact spatialwomen@gmail.com

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GLENN STONE INSURANCE

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• ENGINEERING

SURVEYING PROFESSIONAL STREAM An Altus Delta X4 aircraft heading out over crops at the Landwise microfarm

Multispectral Imagery for Crop Analysis Simon Morris, Altus Unmanned Aerial Solutions Ltd The skills of the Engineering Surveyor are becoming more diverse as technology develops.

In this case, the surveyor is not just measuring lengths on the ground, but also wavelengths of light. Some may say that new technology will replace the Surveyor, whereas others may say that the data being requested and collected by these new technologies requires more Surveyors than ever to ensure quality and correct interpretation. In this article we hear from Altus UAS, a company whose core business involves designing and manufacturing rugged unmanned systems for aerial surveying, and how they are now becoming actively involved in the Precision Agriculture space.

Precision agriculture is often referred to as “smart farming” and is seen as a niche integration of technology, something Kiwis are generally very good at, with farming – one of our primary industries. There are many good examples of the adoption of this sort of high tech approach to date, and the obvious one that will be understood by the Survey Community is the mounting of GPS onto farm machinery. The precision afforded by RTK GPS onboard tractors and harvesters ensures optimal efficiency as well as data logging for tracking and analysis.

For our part we are looking into the remote sensing side of operations, mounting smart sensors on aerial platforms to collect data that can then be turned into useful information for the agronomist or farmer. We have a track record of doing this to date with a pair of cameras, one regular high resolution still camera to give us the Red, Green and Blue of the visible light spectrum (RGB), and another modified to allow us to capture Near Infra Red (NIR). The

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reason we capture NIR is because plants reflect Infra Red light at a rate relative to their health. The healthier the plant, the more it reflects and conversely if the plant is unhealthy, either due to stress, low nutrition, disease or water deprivation, the less reflectance is received.

In order to quantify the health of plants or crops across an area of collection there are a number of ratings or indices that can be applied. The most commonly used is the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index or NDVI. This is an old standard that was primarily applied to LANDSAT Hyperspectral Imagery to “chunk” different areas according to crop type and/or health. The chunks are traditionally very coarse and the areas correspondingly large due to the low resolution of the LANDSAT satellite imagery. As the targeted crops were typically large areas of grain or corn grown in the United States this was an appropriate measure for the required scale.

Our focus is finer and of higher resolution, and usually

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our targeted crop is of higher value per hectare, up to an including grapevines for the wine industry. But the same measures apply regardless. We collect imagery, merge the NIR with the RGB via software giving us 4-band multispectral and apply the NDVI scale to the results. There are variations of NDVI that are more appropriate for differing applications, but ultimately we obtain a crop map with an overlay of NDVI information for closer analysis. As a general rule, the scale runs from -1 to 1, and anything below zero is returning no chlorophyll.

Results may actually vary slightly across the scale on different days and under different conditions but because the NDVI results are relative, it is straightforward to pick out what is healthier and what is weaker across a captured area, and therefore what warrants closer ground inspection.

This image shows rows of crops in the Multispectral NIR format with the NDVI filter applied. As you can see from the scale, the full range (-1 to 1) has been reduced to 0.5 to 1. This highlights a narrower band of plant health and makes smaller variations stand out strongly against the very healthy (green). Aside from general plant health or weakness other causes of such visible variation can be drainage issues, compaction due to vehicle traffic and changing soil types.

We have recently integrated a new 5-band multispectral sensor purpose built for this precision agriculture application. It is a unit called the RedEdge made by MicaSense in the Pacific Northwest of the USA. Rather than 4 spectral bands collected from two cameras it integrates 5 bands into a single sensor unit. Not only that, but the bands are completely discrete and tuned precisely for agricultural purposes. Whereas before, a modified camera combined with an NIR filter would capture a broad part of the spectrum and is “contaminated” by a percentage of bands we did not necessarily wish to capture. The RedEdge has finely tuned filters to only record the parts of the spectrum particular for the best application of NDVI. In addition to red, green, blue and Near Infra Red the unit also captures the edge of the red band, which is where the reflectance levels really start to rise, as shown graphically by the following chart.

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Another benefit of this form of aerial imagery is the ability to distinguish different species of vegetation. This is particularly useful in some cases to determine the encroachment of invasive species such as weeds, and in plantation forestry applications it allows for the identification of Radiata seedlings from amongst scrub or dead material to conduct survival analysis to measure the effectiveness of planting. Different forms of vegetation have different spectral signatures. The effectiveness of spraying, both aerial and spot or terrestrial is another arena where multispectral imagery is of great use. Areas that have been sprayed, by either fertiliser or pesticide, stand out very well in the resultant imagery.

This winter we are conducting an ongoing case study in conjunction with the Landwise Institute at their Hawkes Bay campus, evaluating the health and progress of a newly planted onion crop. Onions are a high value crop for New Zealand growers but have traditionally experienced low percentage yield compared to planting – generally less than 50%. This year Landwise plan to apply measures and techniques on this particular crop at the microfarm in order to improve on the low yield. We will be gathering fortnightly multispectral imagery to measure progress, analyse the crop’s performance and look for any anomalies.

Ultimately the application of NDVI as a measurement tool for crop health is not new, but the use of these bespoke sensors and smaller platforms, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is more so. We are collecting data now in this form to collate into a database that we can draw on to make educated comparisons from paddock to paddock and crop to crop. By working with the right people and drawing on their expertise in these areas we hope to reach a level where quick interpretation of our results can lead to informed decision making for the end user, the farmers in this case. All of which is aimed at enabling early detection, robust information, value added and most importantly cost saving measures in the New Zealand agricultural sector.

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NZIS meet with the Hon. Louise Upston, Minister of Land Information Leading and advocating for the profession is a strategic aim for NZIS. With this in mind, Jeff Needham, NZIS President along with Andrew Stirling, Board Chair and Hadyn Smith, CEO met with the Hon. Louise Upston, Minister of Land Information, Minister for Women, Associate Minister

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of Local Government and Associate Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment.

The key purposes of the meeting were to discuss LINZ processing timeframes, the Christchurch earthquake recovery and the issues created by shallow boundary movement in Canterbury and the progress of the Advanced Survey and Titles System (ASaTS) project being undertaken

by LINZ. Jeff Needham was satisfied with the free and frank discussions with the Minister and her understanding of the concerns raised. This included the disproportionate level of risk to the profession relating to Canterbury earthquake affected cadastre. Ms Upston is supportive and appreciates the goodwill of the profession and the leadership the NZIS Canterbury Working Party has shown. The representation on the Sector Leaders Group is acknowledged and appreciated. It was discussed that there are no quick fixes to the complex issues and any changes to legislation take time.

Whilst ASaTS has been delayed due to the 2015 budget, the Minister is in a good position to see the ‘drivers and the big picture’ and this will assist with making sure that Cabinet understands spatial information and the importance of progressing this project to support ongoing efficiency and security for transacting land in New Zealand.

As a Member of Parliament, Ms Upston’s role also includes Minister for Women. Discussion on the activities undertaken by NZIS to encourage more women into the spatial and surveying profession also took place. Miss Upston provides comments on this issue in Nathan Heazlewood’s perspective article on page 38 entitled ‘Supporting Women in Spatial’.

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• UNIVERSITY

HAPPENINGS

Taking a multi-disciplinary approach Christina Hulbe, Dean, National School of Surveying A few weeks ago, Emily Tidey and I were called over to the Clocktower to represent a proposal to the university’s Equipment Advisory Committee. We were there on behalf of an interdisciplinary group of university faculty—almost 20 in number—who are interested in near-surface acoustic imaging in marine and terrestrial environments. We were there to ask for funding for several items, including a multibeam echo sounding (MBES) system that’s of particular interest here in Surveying. We’re told the competition is tough this year and while we are still waiting for news, I thought it would be good to write about the importance of this activity, whether we make the cut or not.

Universities are large organisations composed of diverse, and often divergent, units. We come in different sizes, speak in different technical languages, and view the world from different perspectives. Where our expertise and research interests diverge, the tools we use may overlap. Where our interests overlap, we may approach research questions in entirely different ways. This complexity is part of what makes universities interesting and exciting places to work and learn. But we can’t really capitalise on that richness unless we get up and out of our own departments to learn at least some of each other’s languages and to have a look at the world from those other vantages.

The acoustic imaging facility we want to create is the product of such cross-campus exploration. Here in Surveying, we know what MBES can do for national charting, infrastructure managers and marine engineers, and we

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know how we tend to think about the water column. We need to know about the water, but mainly because it is in the way. Meanwhile, over in Marine Science, folks might be interested in either the substrate (like us), or the water itself, or some combination of the two. If they ask for a map of the sea floor, we can provide a useful data product and move on to the next objective. But if we stop and ask what they are planning to do with the map and what kind of attributes they really need it to have, then we may be opening a door to something entirely new.

Once we started asking colleagues who work in marine and freshwater environments “what questions could you answer if…” we discovered that we had even more potential future collaborators than we’d imagined. It turns out that if you want to understand the fates of penguins on the Otago Peninsula, you probably need a hydrographic surveyor. And if you want to really get at the nuances of signal propagation, you probably need an oceanographer and a geologist as well.

I think that as surveyors and geospatial experts in the New Zealand context, you all understand this multi-disciplinary point of view. The difference, of course, is that while most academics are specialists—we require groups of people in order to achieve the broad view—surveyors tend to be generalists, ready to solve a problem or find an answer for every client who walks through the door.

I like to think that in the university context, the School of Surveying has both a specialist and a generalist role. If we are out there making connections across campus, we ought to be a sort of hub, bringing different points of view together through the lens of a particular measurement technology or theoretical approach to land planning, land tenure, or urban design.

All together, the mutli-sensor acoustic imaging proposal included faculty from Surveying, Marine Science, Geology, Geography, and Zoology. That’s not bad, for a start, I’m sure we’ll find more if we have the chance to get up and running. I’ll let you know how it goes.

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