Articles
Guides on geotechnical assessments, soil classification, and site investigation for residential development in Queensland and NSW.
Easements explained: what those lines on the title mean before you buy
What an easement is, the common types in QLD and NSW, how to find them, and what they mean for what you can build before you buy a property.
25 June 2026Is there fill on your block? What a geotechnical desktop report can tell you before you dig
Uncontrolled fill can wreck a slab and blow the budget. Here's how to spot fill from desktop data, what it means for footings, and when to test.
22 June 2026What listing photos hide: reading flood and ground clues before you inspect
Listing photos are styled to sell. Here's how to spot flood, slope and terrain risk on a realestate.com.au or domain.com.au listing before you book an inspectio
22 June 2026Getting the coordinate system right: MGA2020, GDA94 and AHD for QLD and NSW site data
How to set the correct coordinate system and datum when importing QLD and NSW contours and cadastre into Civil 3D, QGIS or ArcGIS — MGA2020, GDA94 and AHD expla
22 June 2026Class P site classification: what "problem site" really means for your build
A Class P site classification can blow out your slab cost. Here's what triggers it in QLD and NSW, what it means for your build, and how to check early.
17 June 2026Property due diligence: the data is public, but it's scattered
Property due diligence in Queensland and NSW means checking zoning, flood, bushfire and overlay data before you buy. Here's why that public data is so scattered, and how to get it in one clear report.
11 June 2026We analysed 1.47 million South East Queensland lots. Here's where the ground is wet, steep, and low.
Lot-level data across Brisbane, Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, Logan and Redland: 1 in 4 lots intersect council flood mapping, 228,000 sit below 5 m AHD, and the steepest and lowest suburbs aren't always the ones you'd guess.
13 May 2026Reactive soils and building damage: understanding the ground to get the design right
Cracked brickwork, sticking doors, and movement cracking are common building complaints across Queensland and NSW. Understanding what causes them starts with the ground beneath the slab.
10 May 20261.2 million homes. A pipeline that isn't keeping up.
Australia has committed to 1.2 million new homes by 2029 and is already behind. Meeting the target means better decisions at every stage of development, including the earliest ones.
10 May 2026What is a geotechnical desktop study, and when is one enough?
A geotechnical desktop study uses existing data (geology maps, soil surveys, bore records) to assess ground conditions without drilling. Here's what it covers and when it's the right tool.
10 May 2026Geotechnical report vs desktop assessment: what's the difference?
A desktop assessment uses existing data; a full geotechnical report involves drilling and lab testing. Understanding the difference helps you know what to commission, and when.
10 May 2026Soil classification costs in Queensland: what to expect in 2026
AS 2870 site classifications can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars in Queensland. Here's what drives the price, and when a desktop classification is enough.
10 May 2026What is an AS 2870 site classification, and why does every new home need one?
A plain-language guide to AS 2870 site classifications: what they are, what the site classes mean, and why getting one right matters before you build.