Utility Surveying, GPR Mapping & Drainage Investigation Across Victoria
Complete subsurface mapping — from detection to delivered data.
Knowing what’s underground is only half the job. The other half is capturing it accurately, documenting it properly, and delivering data your engineers, planners, and contractors can actually use.
At Geoscan, our surveying and mapping services transform underground locating and scanning into precise, compliant, CAD and GIS-ready outputs. From utility as-built surveys and GPR heatmapping to full drainage investigation reports, we deliver complete subsurface intelligence across Geelong, Melbourne, and throughout Victoria.
At Geoscan, our surveying and mapping services transform underground locating and scanning into precise, compliant, CAD and GIS-ready outputs. From utility as-built surveys and GPR heatmapping to full drainage investigation reports, we deliver complete subsurface intelligence across Geelong, Melbourne, and throughout Victoria.
AS 5488:2022 Compliant
DBYD Certified
GPS & Total Station Mapping
Trusted by Councils & Major Contractors
One Team.Three Surveying & Mapping Services.
Geoscan provides three distinct but complementary surveying and mapping services, all delivered by the same experienced team using GPS, Total Station, drone, and scanning technology:
Utility Surveying & Mapping
AS 5488-compliant as-built surveys of underground services — GPS-accurate, fully documented, and CAD/GIS-ready.
GPR Mapping & Heatmapping
Full survey and mapping of GPR investigation findings — including heatmaps, subsurface profiles, and on-site markings.
Drainage Investigation Surveys
Comprehensive drainage network surveys including pit inspections, invert levels, CCTV coordination, and 3D scanning.
Need to locate first, then survey?
Our pipe and cable locating and GPR scanning services work seamlessly alongside our surveying — delivered by one team, on one visit.
Utility Surveying & Mapping
Locating an underground service is the first step. Accurately recording it — with the right metadata, the right coordinates, and the right documentation — is what turns a locate into a reliable, long-term asset.
Geoscan’s utility surveying service captures every located service in GPS and Total Station surveys, producing complete as-built records compliant with Australian Standard AS 5488:2022. Our trained locators don’t just mark the ground — they record the full picture.
Geoscan’s utility surveying service captures every located service in GPS and Total Station surveys, producing complete as-built records compliant with Australian Standard AS 5488:2022. Our trained locators don’t just mark the ground — they record the full picture.
What We Capture on Every Survey
- Asset ownership and service type
- Pipe material and diameter
- Invert levels and cover depths at located points
- On-site observations linked to photos — broken pits, blocked conduits, buried cables, damaged infrastructure
- Precise service locations and connections, drafted into detailed plans
- Drone or high-resolution aerial imagery integrated into survey plans for visual reference
WHAT YOU RECEIVE
AS 5488 compliant report
GPS-accurate CAD drawings
Photo-linked site observations
GIS-ready data files
Additional Utility Survey Services
Basic utility setout for construction and civil works
As-built surveys of newly installed services
3D scanning of chambers and large manholes
GIS and CAD-ready data delivery
STANDARDS NOTE
All utility surveys are completed in strict accordance with AS 5488:2022 — the Australian Standard governing the classification accuracy, precision, and tolerances of underground utility surveys. You receive documentation that stands up for engineers, planners, council approval, and regulatory compliance.
Drone Aerial Imagery — Integrated into Every Utility Survey
Understanding where underground services sit is one thing. Seeing them in the context of your actual site — with every building, trench, access point, and surface feature visible — is another entirely.
Geoscan’s licensed drone pilots capture high-resolution aerial orthomosaic imagery at approximately 30 metres above ground level, producing a scaled, georeferenced site image that is directly integrated into your Utility Survey deliverable. Located underground services are overlaid onto the real-world site photograph — giving your project team a measurable, time-stamped visual record that linework alone cannot provide.
Because the drone flies significantly lower than aircraft or satellite platforms, the ground resolution is dramatically higher. Fine site details become visible — including trench lines, exposed services, and in many cases even painted underground service markings on the surface.
| Nearmap (Standard) | Geoscan Drone (Enhanced) | |
|---|---|---|
| Altitude | High altitude capture | ~30m above ground level |
| Resolution | High resolution, statewide coverage | Significantly higher resolution |
| Site detail | Clear visual reference | Trench lines, service markings visible |
| Utility alignment | Strong positional accuracy | Highly accurate alignment with located services |
| Coverage | Major urban & regional areas | Any site — including outside Nearmap zones |
| Included in | All Utility Surveys (standard) | Optional upgrade — or recommended outside Nearmap coverage area |
What Drone Imagery Delivers for Your Project
Improved Planning & Coordination
Overlay located services onto true site imagery to eliminate ambiguity and improve coordination between trades and project teams.
Accurate Post-Survey Referencing
Measure from physical features on the aerial imagery to underground utilities long after the survey has been completed — no need to return to site.
Large Site Visibility
Understand how services integrate across schools, industrial facilities, infrastructure corridors, and major developments — at a glance.
Ongoing Site Monitoring
Capture imagery periodically to document construction progress and record how underground utilities relate to evolving site works.
Outside Nearmap Coverage? We Recommend a Drone Survey.
Nearmap coverage across Victoria is strong in major urban and regional centres, but does not cover all project locations. If your site is outside the Nearmap coverage area, Geoscan recommends combining a Drone Aerial Survey with your Utility Survey to ensure high-resolution imagery is included in your deliverable. Ask us at the quoting stage and we’ll confirm coverage for your site.
GPR Mapping & Heatmapping
Running a GPR investigation is only valuable if the results are captured, interpreted, and delivered in a format your team can act on. Geoscan’s GPR mapping service takes the raw data from our ground penetrating radar investigations and produces clear, fully surveyed outputs for your project.
Whether you need a visual heatmap of subsurface anomalies, a surveyed plan of underground tanks or utilities, or on-site markings for immediate construction use, our team delivers accurate, CAD and GIS-ready results.
What Our GPR Mapping Delivers
- Heatmaps visualising GPR findings and raw anomaly data — rocks, voids, buried debris, and structural anomalies
- Location and extent mapping of underground storage tanks (USTs)
- Tree root investigation plans showing root spread and intrusion zones
- Road and pavement layer profiling — thickness calculations and depth analysis
- On-site markings for immediate contractor reference
- Fully surveyed and mapped GPR findings suitable for CAD, GIS, or engineering reporting
Drainage Investigation Surveys
Accurate drainage data is fundamental to any infrastructure design, maintenance programme, or asset management plan. Geoscan’s drainage investigation surveys deliver comprehensive, survey-grade documentation of your drainage network — from individual pit inspections to full network surveys integrating CCTV, 3D scanning, and drone orthomosaic imagery.
Our team regularly lifts and inspects manholes, collects accurate invert depths, and documents the full condition of the network — giving you the data you need to plan, design, or maintain with confidence.
What’s Included in a Drainage Investigation Survey
Pit and pipe inspections
invert levels, pipe sizes, materials, and AHD information
Asset owner verification
collecting and confirming ownership details for management and future development
Photographic documentation
high-quality photos recording irregularities, damage, and potential issues within the network
3D scanning of manholes and chambers
identifying broken pipes, cracked walls, and vertical misalignments
Orthomosaic drone imagery
high-precision aerial photography integrated into CAD for accurate plan drafting and visual network reference
CCTV and video management
coordination of CCTV and video inspections for complete drainage condition reporting
Fast, Reliable Turnaround — Guaranteed
We know drainage surveys are often on the critical path for your project. That’s why we commit to:
✔ Reports delivered daily — field data turned around the same day
✔ Drawings delivered within 5 business days of fieldwork completion
Trusted by Councils, Engineers & Developers Across Victoria
Geoscan’s surveying and mapping services support every stage of the infrastructure lifecycle — from initial design surveys through construction as-builts to long-term asset management.
Civil & Structural Engineers
AS 5488-compliant utility surveys and GPR mapping for design, engineering assessment, and project documentation.
Councils & Local Government
Drainage investigation surveys, asset registers, and utility mapping for infrastructure planning, maintenance, and compliance.
Developers & Builders
Utility as-built surveys and drainage investigations for planning permits, subdivision documentation, and construction sign-off.
Civil Contractors
On-site utility setout, as-built surveys of installed services, and drainage documentation during and after construction.
Asset & Facility Managers
Accurate drainage network surveys and utility mapping to support ongoing asset management and planned maintenance programmes.
Environmental & Planning Consultants
Subsurface mapping, drainage analysis, and utility documentation for environmental assessments and planning applications.
Why Industry Professionals Choose Geoscan for Surveying & Mapping
One Team, End to End
Locating, scanning, surveying, and mapping — all delivered by a single Geoscan team. No handoffs, no coordination gaps, no conflicting data.
AS 5488:2022 Compliant
All utility surveys meet Australian Standard AS 5488:2022 — the national benchmark for underground utility data accuracy and classification.
Photo-Linked Documentation
Every on-site observation is photographed and linked to the relevant plan or report entry — broken pits, blocked conduits, damaged cables — so your team has a complete, evidenced record.
CAD, GIS & 12D Ready
Survey data delivered in the format your team already works with — DWG, DXF, GIS layers, PDF, and more. Ready to use in your design workflow immediately.
Drone Imagery Integration
Our licensed drone pilots capture high-resolution orthomosaic imagery at ~30m AGL — integrated directly into your survey deliverable. Located services overlaid onto real site imagery, scalable for post-survey referencing. A standard Nearmap underlay is included with every survey; drone capture is available as an upgrade or is recommended where your site falls outside Nearmap coverage.
Fast, Committed Turnaround
Drainage investigation reports delivered daily. Survey drawings delivered within 5 business days of fieldwork. We respect your project schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Nearmap imagery and Geoscan drone imagery?
Nearmap is a high-resolution aerial imagery service captured by aircraft at relatively high altitude. It provides strong coverage across most major Victorian urban and regional areas and is included as a standard underlay in every Geoscan Utility Survey. Geoscan drone imagery is captured by our licensed drone pilots at approximately 30 metres above ground level — significantly lower than any aircraft or satellite platform. The result is dramatically higher resolution: fine site details including trench lines, surface markings, and exposed services become visible. Located underground utilities can be overlaid directly onto the drone imagery and the plans become scalable for accurate post-survey referencing from physical site features. Where a project requires maximum site clarity, or is located outside Nearmap coverage, drone aerial imagery is the recommended option.
What is a utility survey and when do I need one?
A utility survey is a formal investigation and documentation of underground services in a defined area, recording the position, depth, material, and condition of buried infrastructure. You need one when planning any construction or excavation that could affect existing underground services, when preparing design drawings for new infrastructure, when applying for planning permits, when managing or updating asset registers, or when buying or developing land with unknown underground services. In Victoria, utility surveys should be completed in accordance with AS 5488:2022.
What is AS 5488:2022 and why does it matter for utility surveys?
AS 5488:2022 is the Australian Standard for the classification of subsurface utility information. It defines four quality levels — from desktop records (QL-D) through to precise physical location with depth (QL-A) — and sets out the accuracy, precision, and tolerances required at each level. A utility survey produced to AS 5488 gives engineers, planners, councils, and regulators confidence in the data quality and classification. It is increasingly required on government and council contracts across Victoria and is the benchmark for professional utility survey deliverables.
What is an invert level and why is it important?
An invert level is the measurement from a reference datum (in Australia, the Australian Height Datum — AHD) to the inside bottom of a pipe or conduit. It is the critical measurement for drainage design because it determines the hydraulic gradient — the slope water follows through the network. Without accurate invert levels, drainage design calculations are unreliable. Geoscan records invert levels at every pit and access point during drainage investigation surveys, providing the foundational data your engineers need.
What does a drainage investigation survey include?
Geoscan’s drainage investigation surveys include: manhole and pit lift-and-inspect with invert level recording, pipe size and material identification, AHD referencing, asset owner verification, photographic documentation of all pits and network conditions, 3D scanning of manholes and chambers (including identification of broken pipes, cracked walls, and misalignments), orthomosaic drone imagery integrated into CAD plans, and CCTV and video inspection coordination. Reports are delivered daily from the field, with final CAD drawings provided within 5 business days of fieldwork completion.
What is orthomosaic drone imagery and how is it used in surveys?
Orthomosaic imagery is a high-precision aerial photograph assembled from multiple drone images and geometrically corrected to remove distortion — the result is an accurate, scaled, top-down image of the survey area that can be directly integrated into CAD or GIS drawings. Geoscan uses orthomosaic imagery as a base layer for drainage and utility survey plans, giving your team a photographic visual reference showing exactly where each pit, pipe, and infrastructure element sits on the ground. This significantly improves the usability of survey drawings for planning, design, and construction.
What data formats do you deliver survey results in?
We deliver survey data in the format your team already uses. Standard outputs include 2D and 3D DWG/DXF (AutoCAD), GIS layers (Shapefile, GeoPackage), PDF drawings and reports, and 12D models where required. GPR mapping outputs also include heatmap visualisations and cross-section profiles. If your workflow requires a specific format, contact us and we’ll confirm availability.
Can you combine utility locating, GPR scanning, and surveying in a single visit?
Yes — and this is one of Geoscan’s key service advantages. Our team can perform electromagnetic utility locating, GPR scanning, and a full GPS/Total Station survey in a single site mobilisation. This eliminates the need to coordinate multiple contractors, reduces site access requirements, and ensures all data is captured and referenced consistently. For complex sites or projects requiring both detection and survey-grade documentation, a combined visit is the most efficient and cost-effective approach.
What areas do you service for utility surveying and drainage investigations?
Geoscan is based in Geelong and provides utility surveying, GPR mapping, and drainage investigation services across Victoria — including greater Melbourne, the Surf Coast, Bellarine Peninsula, Western Victoria, and regional areas statewide. Contact us to discuss your project location.
Get Accurate Subsurface Survey Data — Fast.
Whether you need a utility as-built survey, a GPR mapping deliverable, or a complete drainage investigation, Geoscan’s surveying team is ready to mobilise across Geelong, Melbourne, and Victoria. Get in touch today for a fast, no-obligation quote.
Monday – Friday | 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM