A property’s legal boundary and its fence line are not always the same thing, and confusing the two can matter more than people expect, particularly if you are planning to build near an edge of the block.
The survey plan is the legal reference
A cadastral survey plan, also called a plan of survey or registered plan, is the legal document that defines a lot’s boundaries and area. It is prepared and certified by a registered cadastral surveyor and forms the basis of every property title in Queensland. Boundaries are physically marked in the ground by survey marks at the corners, and it is an offence under the Survey and Mapping Infrastructure Act 2003 to interfere with or move a survey mark without authorisation.
You can search for a property’s current title and registered survey plan through Titles Queensland’s Online Title and Image Searches service, using the address, lot and plan number, title reference or dealing number.
A fence is not proof of the boundary
This is a common point of confusion. A fence is often built close to the common boundary, but it is governed separately, under the Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011, rather than by the title system. A fence can sit off the true boundary, particularly where the physical features of the land make it impractical to build exactly on the line. If there is a genuine dispute over where a dividing fence should sit, that goes to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, not to the title records.
When a surveyor is worth engaging
If you are planning to build close to a boundary, or there is uncertainty or a dispute about exactly where it sits, a registered cadastral surveyor can carry out an identification survey to physically re-establish the boundary on the ground. Queensland’s Digital Cadastral Database provides a spatial, map-based view of every parcel, which is useful for a quick visual check, but it is not a substitute for a surveyed identification if precision actually matters.
What to verify before you act
This is a general explanation of how boundaries work, not confirmation of any specific property’s boundary. If a fence, structure or planned building work is close to a boundary, it is worth checking the registered survey plan and, where precision matters, engaging a registered cadastral surveyor rather than relying on an existing fence line.
Sources
- Business Queensland, Survey plans and Permanent marks pages, business.qld.gov.au
- Titles Queensland, Title and plan searches, titlesqld.com.au
- Queensland Government, Disputes about fences, trees and buildings, qld.gov.au
This article is general information only and is not legal or surveying advice. Boundary and fencing rules can depend on individual circumstances. Always confirm a property’s exact boundary with the registered survey plan or a registered cadastral surveyor before acting.
Join The Discussion