GEOMATICS
Like any other built environment professional group, geomatics practitioners are experiencing a constant evolution in their day-to-day activities spurred on by Industry 4.0 technologies. Rather than viewing it as a threat, the South African Geomatics Institute (SAGI) says embracing the change presents exciting new opportunities to evolve the survey profession. By Alastair Currie
T
o practise, all geomatics professionals must be registered with the South African Geomatics Council (SAGC), in accordance with the Geomatics Profession Act (No. 19 of 2013). The latter defines the actions and responsibilities of the survey profession, and makes it illegal for someone who is not registered to perform these duties. The geomatics field is diverse and encompasses land surveying, engineering surveying, planning, photogrammetry, remote sensing, geographical information systems (GIS) and land management. Within this scope, the two main registered groups are either land surveyors or engineering surveyors. “The advent of relatively cheap positioning systems, as well as GPS apps on smartphones, may give the impression that anyone can produce a typographical map or accurately position survey beacons,” says Altus Strydom, chairperson: Northern Branch, SAGI. “However, this is far from the case.” Only a trained survey professional has the proven expertise to analyse and accurately interpret cadastral and engineering data, and then apply it within the host of Acts
12
IMIESA July 2021
The future of surveying
that govern land development, ownership and management. “Despite this, however, there’s still widespread evidence of unregistered activity; where it occurs, SAGI is committed to taking legal action,” he explains. So far, SAGI has approximately 30 cases of illegal surveying on record and is in the process of lodging the matter with the courts in one case. SAGI has also established a special committee to map out a more comprehensive plan of action.
Roles and responsibilities “As SAGI, it’s crucial that we continue to inform and educate SOEs and municipalities so there’s a clear distinction between our profession and others, like town and regional planning, as defined by the Planning Profession Act (No. 36 of 2002). To develop their models, for example, town and regional planners depend
A digital elevation model produced using drone imagery
on accurate survey data and expert advice from a land surveyor, who then lodges general plans for approval with the Chief Surveyor General (CSG),” says Strydom. The CSG defines its mission as follows: ‘To provide a national cadastral survey management system in support of an equitable and sustainable land dispensation that promotes socio-economic development.’ Within this framework, the CSG’s office has the sole responsibility for approving development applications, which must be prepared and signed off by a registered professional land surveyor. Currently, the typical approval process can take anywhere from two to four years