Students retrace survey history in WA’s Mid West

Surveying students from the WA School of Mines, Curtin University, have ‘rediscovered’ former thriving townsites in the Mid West while treading in the footsteps of WA’s pioneering surveyors.

During the recent two-week student survey expedition, a group of fourth-year Spatial Sciences students undertook fieldwork between Dongara and Billabong while receiving valuable mentorship from experienced senior and retired surveyors as well as Curtin staff.

Geoff Robb, RM Surveys Managing Director, represented RM Surveys on the expedition leading the group through four projects. Projects included the Irwin Baseline, Cadastral survey of the Northampton church site, Bathymetric survey of part of Port Gregory, and the geodetic control between Northampton and Billabong Roadhouse.

“The expedition gives final year Spatial Science students the opportunity to use the current technology in real-world environments,” said Geoff.

“For example, the students used the latest surveys sonar and GNSS bathymetric equipment to conduct a Bathymetric survey of part of Port Gregory. This involved the renovation of geodetic control in the townsite which did not have a horizontal geodetic mark previously established,” said Geoff.

Students are required to document fieldwork and, with the guidance of the mentors, present the project for assessment.

The next expedition will be in 2020, and RM Surveys look forward to extending their ten years of involvement.