Punching pegs, this time by satellite

Surveyor's assistant Shaun Reed, of Rockhampton, carefully checks the GPS co-ordinates at the Capricorn Spire.

Allan Reinikka AR16/0609/19

IN 1859 Rockhampton surveyors would have ridden across hot and dusty tracks to hammer in their surveying pegs - today they do the same job using hi-tech satellite imagery.

In a co-ordinated Q150 project, surveying firms across the state are pooling their resources to site new GPS markers at 39 of Queensland's best-known tourist points, including the Tropic of Capricorn spire in Rockhampton and Rosslyn Bay boat harbour.

Shaun Reed of Gracemere Surveying and Planning Consultants Pty Ltd (GSPC) said permanent concrete survey markers, displaying the GPS longitude and latitude co-ordinates on a plaque, would help tourists program the exact co-ordinates into their vehicle GPS navigation systems.

On Friday, August 28, the permanent pyramid style GPS markers will be unveiled by Rockhampton Regional Mayor Brad Carter and Member for Rockhampton Robert Schwarten at Capricorn Spire in Gladstone Road, Rockhampton, and by Mayor Brad Carter and Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan at Rosslyn Bay.

“The Q150 project will involve all of the surveying firms in Rockhampton and Yeppoon,” Shaun said.

“Across the state permanent survey markers are being placed near major tourist attractions where people stop.

“At Rosslyn Bay the marker will be placed between the two boat ramps, where it can also be accessed by visiting boaties,” he said.

A GPS marker will also be placed at tourist attractions across Central Queensland.