Modelling 3-Dimensional cadastral boundaries in a BIM environment: a case study using volumetric format plans in Queensland, Australia

The future vision for cadastre in many jurisdictions is to deliver a digital representation of legal and physical dimensions of the real world that is survey accurate, 3D, and dynamic. In Queensland, 3D cadastral plans are represented as Building Format plans and Volumetric Format plans. 3D modelling is critically important for complex developments below and above the ground. In prior research, Building Information Models (BIM) have been utilised to enhance the visual representation of 3D boundaries embedded in these plans in other jurisdictions. As the requirements for cadastre differ from one jurisdiction to another, current studies have not fully investigated the requirements for modelling 3D cadastral boundaries in BIM in the context of Queensland jurisdiction. This study aims to address this gap by developing a new approach for modelling boundaries bounded by 3D-located points, as in Queensland Volumetric Format plans, in the BIM environment. Prototype BIM models for two case studies, i.e. an underground road tunnel and aboveground telecom infrastructure, demonstrated how cadastral boundaries of volumetric lots can be created within a BIM environment. Our approach for modelling volumetric boundaries provides the proof-of-concept for implementing a BIM-driven 3D Cadastre in Queensland.