Methodology & data sources

What LayeredGeo does

LayeredGeo automates a standard geotechnical desktop-study workflow for Queensland and New South Wales properties. Instead of manually searching multiple government portals, downloading layers, preparing maps, and assembling a PDF, the platform takes a street address and compiles the report automatically.

For a simpler overview of the use case itself, see geotechnical desktop study reports.

The goal is speed and consistency for early-stage site review. Reports are intended to support screening, scoping, due diligence, and preliminary engineering context. They are not a replacement for a site investigation, drilling program, or advice from a qualified geotechnical engineer.

How the workflow works

1. The user enters a supported QLD or NSW street address.
2. The address is geocoded and associated with the correct state-specific data sources.
3. Relevant datasets are fetched from public spatial services and government databases.
4. Maps are rendered automatically for the site and surrounding area.
5. Reference tables, maps, and summary content are assembled into a standardised PDF report.

Primary data sources

Reports are built from publicly available government and regulatory datasets. Sources vary by state and by layer, but commonly include:

• QLD SLIP / Queensland Spatial Information for mapping layers and property context
• NSW Six Maps and related NSW spatial services for address and parcel context
• NSW Seamless Geology for geological mapping
• State soil and acid sulfate soil datasets where available
• Government elevation and terrain datasets including LiDAR-derived products where coverage exists
• National Groundwater Information System (NGIS) and related bore datasets for groundwater context
• Government imagery services for current and historical aerial or satellite views

What is typically included in a report

• Site location and broader context mapping
• Geology and soil mapping around the site
• Topography and elevation context
• Groundwater and nearby bore information where available
• Current and historical imagery
• Reference metadata and source notes

Coverage and variability

Coverage is currently limited to Queensland and New South Wales street addresses. Even within those states, dataset quality varies by location. Urban sites often have denser surrounding information than remote rural areas, and some layers update much more frequently than others.

Elevation resolution, imagery currency, bore availability, and local mapping completeness all depend on what the upstream source provides for that area.

Important limitations

• The report is a desktop-study aid, not a field investigation.
• Government datasets may contain omissions, lagging updates, or local inaccuracies.
• Groundwater information is indicative and may vary seasonally and spatially.
• Geological and soil mapping is regional in nature and should not be treated as a substitute for subsurface testing.
• Engineering, regulatory, or construction decisions should be checked by a suitably qualified professional.

How to evaluate the output

If you want to see the report format before purchasing, start with the sample report page. If you want a live site-specific output, go straight to generate a report.