Short answer: if you are buying, building, extending or subdividing in Ocean Grove, a licensed land surveyor can confirm where your boundaries are, map the levels and features of your block, and peg out new work before construction starts. The right survey depends on your project. Most new homes and extensions start with a feature and level survey, boundary questions call for a re-establishment survey, and subdivisions need a plan of subdivision prepared by a licensed surveyor.
Ocean Grove sits on the southern side of the Bellarine Peninsula, beside the Barwon River estuary and across the water from Barwon Heads. It has a mix of older beach houses, established family homes and newer estates on the edges of town. That variety means survey work here ranges from simple boundary checks to detailed surveys for coastal and low-lying sites. This guide explains which surveys Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads projects usually need, what to watch for on coastal blocks and how to get started.
Which surveys do Ocean Grove projects need?
Feature and level survey
A feature and level survey records the existing buildings, fences, trees, driveways, services and ground levels on your land, plus relevant features next door. Architects, building designers and engineers use it as the base for plans. It is usually the first survey for a new home, a knockdown rebuild, a second storey or a unit development.
Re-establishment survey
Fences in older coastal towns are not always on the title boundary. Some were put up decades ago, some have been replaced without checking, and some follow old informal lines. A re-establishment survey determines where your title boundaries actually are and can mark them with pegs. It is worth doing before replacing a fence, building close to a boundary or resolving a disagreement with a neighbour.
Building set-out survey
Once you have a building permit, a building set-out survey pegs the position of the new house or extension on site so the builder can start in the right place. On tight blocks, where setbacks from boundaries are small, accurate set-out helps avoid expensive mistakes.
Subdivision
If you are splitting a block into two lots or developing units, a licensed land surveyor prepares the plan of subdivision and guides it through certification with council and registration with Land Use Victoria under the Subdivision Act 1988. Our subdivision service covers the survey work from the early feasibility stage through to new titles.
What makes coastal and Bellarine blocks different?
Every site is different, but a few things come up often around Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads and the wider Bellarine.
Low-lying land and flood levels
Parts of the area near the Barwon River, the estuary and Lake Connewarre are low-lying. Where flooding is a consideration, council or the relevant authority may set minimum floor levels for new buildings. A surveyor can provide levels relative to the Australian Height Datum (AHD), which is the reference used for these requirements. Our guide to flood level surveys in Geelong explains this in more detail.
Planning overlays
Overlays such as vegetation, landscape, flooding or heritage controls can apply in parts of the Bellarine, and they can affect what you are allowed to build. Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads are within the City of Greater Geelong, so the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme applies. A free planning property report on VicPlan lists the zone and overlays for your address, and it is a good first step before you engage a designer.
Sloping sites, dunes and vegetation
Some blocks sit on old dunes or rising ground with established trees. Designers need accurate levels and tree positions to plan driveways, retaining walls, drainage and the height of the house. A detailed feature and level survey captures this information at the start, so the design works with the land rather than against it.
Older titles and fences
Many older properties in coastal towns were subdivided long ago, and the fences may have been rebuilt several times since. Before you buy, it is worth checking that the improvements match the title. Our article on pre-purchase surveys covers what to look for.
How the survey process works
- Tell us about your project. Send the address and a short description of what you are planning, such as a new home, extension, fence, subdivision or purchase.
- We recommend the right survey. We explain which survey suits your project and provide a quote.
- Title and plan search. We obtain the title, the plan of subdivision and relevant survey records for your land and its neighbours.
- Fieldwork. A surveyor visits the site to measure boundaries, features and levels, and places pegs where needed.
- Plans and results. We prepare the survey plan or report and send it to you and your designer, builder or planner.
Tips before you book
- Have the property address and, if you have it, a copy of the title ready.
- Get a planning property report from VicPlan so you know which zone and overlays apply.
- Book your feature and level survey before design starts, not after the plans are drawn.
- If you are building close to a boundary, ask whether a re-establishment survey is recommended.
- Let us know about access, such as locked gates, dogs or tenants, so fieldwork runs smoothly.
A local land surveyor for the Bellarine
We work across Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads and the wider Bellarine Peninsula, including Drysdale, Leopold and Portarlington, as well as Geelong and the Surf Coast. If you are on the other side of the Barwon, see our guide for land surveying in Torquay.
Planning a project in Ocean Grove? Request a quote online or call us on 0412 722 261, and we will help you work out which survey you need.
Frequently asked questions
Do you work in Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads?
Yes. Geelong Land Surveyors works across the Bellarine Peninsula, including Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Drysdale, Leopold and Portarlington, as well as Geelong and the Surf Coast.
What survey do I need to build a new home in Ocean Grove?
Most new homes start with a feature and level survey so your designer can work with accurate site information. If the house will be close to a boundary, a re-establishment survey is often recommended, and a building set-out survey is used to peg the house before construction starts.
How do I find out which overlays affect my Bellarine property?
Order a free planning property report for the address on VicPlan. It lists the zone and any overlays that apply. Council or a town planner can then explain what those controls mean for your project.
Can a land surveyor tell me where my boundary is?
Yes. A re-establishment survey by a licensed land surveyor determines where the title boundaries are on the ground and can mark them with pegs. It is the reliable way to check a fence or plan work near a boundary.