The Future of Surveying in Western Australia: 2026 and Beyond

Surveying has always been fundamental to development, from shaping cities to managing resources, but the way surveyors work is evolving faster than ever. In 2026, Western Australian projects are projected to benefit from technology that increases accuracy, reduces time, and provides clients with more actionable insights than traditional surveys could offer.

AI-Powered Workflows

Artificial intelligence is no longer just a supporting tool - it’s now embedded directly into surveying workflows. In WA, AI can rapidly process raw field data, classify terrain, detect anomalies, and even produce preliminary surface models. This means surveyors spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time applying expertise to complex site conditions.

AI also strengthens quality assurance. Advanced systems can flag inconsistencies or errors before a survey reaches the drafting stage, ensuring regulatory compliance and providing clients with reliable data faster.

Drones and Multi-Sensor Data Collection

Drones have moved from novelty to necessity. Modern UAVs can carry multiple sensors (like LiDAR, photogrammetry cameras, thermal imaging, and multispectral scanners), collecting data that used to require multiple site visits in just one flight.

Autonomous drone technology is emerging across WA, allowing pre-programmed flight paths, real-time sensor adjustments, and highly accurate measurements of large or difficult-to-access sites. For mining, construction, and large-scale development projects, this means better precision, faster turnaround, and more complete datasets than ever before.

Real-Time 3D Models and Digital Twins

Interactive 3D digital twins are revolutionising how land is visualised. These high-fidelity models update continuously as new survey data comes in, allowing developers, engineers, and planners to simulate terrain changes, infrastructure performance, and environmental impacts in real time.

For Western Australian projects, whether it’s urban expansion in Perth or mining operations in the Pilbara, digital twins offer deeper insights than static plans, improving decision-making and risk management.

Cloud-Based Collaboration

Surveying data is no longer delivered as static PDFs. Cloud platforms now enable real-time collaboration, 3D model viewing in a browser, and synchronised updates across teams. Builders, architects, and stakeholders can access the latest survey results from anywhere, reducing miscommunication and streamlining project workflows.

Sustainable Surveying Practices

Sustainability is a growing focus in WA development. Modern surveying tools allow for ecological monitoring, watershed analysis, and environmental impact forecasting. By integrating these insights early in the planning process, surveyors help developers make informed, responsible decisions that balance growth with environmental stewardship.

The Human Expertise Factor

Despite the technological leaps, skilled surveyors remain central to every project. Expertise in boundary determination, property rights, and complex site conditions cannot be replaced by AI or drones. Instead, technology amplifies human decision-making, allowing surveyors to provide higher-quality guidance while handling larger and more complex projects efficiently.

Adapting Skills for the Modern Surveyor

The surveyors of 2026 need more than just traditional field skills - they also require technical fluency. Knowledge of AI, GIS, LiDAR, drone operations, and cloud-based workflows is increasingly essential. Surveyors who embrace these tools can deliver faster, more accurate, and more insightful results for clients across Western Australia. At Harley Dykstra, we embrace new technology as it’s developed, utilising the cut-downs in time to produce more efficient outcomes for clients. 

Read more about our Reality Capture surveying service here.

Our wearable mobile mapping device utilises artificial intelligence to capture data points in the surrounding environment.

Looking Ahead

The future of surveying in WA is connected, automated, and data-driven, but still anchored in expertise and human judgment. From AI-assisted workflows to real-time digital twins, 2026 promises a new era of precision and efficiency for land development, infrastructure, and environmental management.

At Harley Dykstra, we’re integrating these technologies to support smarter, faster, and more sustainable projects across the state, ensuring our clients stay ahead in a rapidly changing landscape.

SOURCES: 

• Haller & Blanchard & Associates. “The Future of Land Surveying in 2026 and Beyond.” Haller & Blanchard & Associates, 2025. haller-blanchard.com

• Metricop LLC. “The Future of Land Surveying Technology and Upcoming Trends in 2026.” Metricop Blog, 8 December 2025. Surveying Equipment Metricop LLC

• SATEL USA. “10 Key Takeaways from Trimble’s 2026 Construction Outlook.” SATEL USA Blog, 2025.