AU2008100200B4 - Method and system for defining land boundaries - Google Patents

Description

03/03/2008 21:21 GRIFFITH HACK 4 00262837999 N0.519 9006

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIPICATION Innovation Patent Applicant: Mr Anthony Richard Riordan Invention Title: METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DEFINING LAND BOUNDARIES The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: COMS ID No: ARCS-181576 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:23 Date 2008-03-03 03/03/2ooe 03/032000 21:21 GRIFFITH HACK 4 00262837999N.19 P0 NO. 5ig [POO7 00 -2- MEIODAj SYSTEI FOR DEFINING LAND EOUNDARU9S FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to methods and s systems for defining land boundaries.

o BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION o plots of land are often subdivided. it is known to create, and record the boundaries of, subdivision lots o by registration of a plan of subdivision which defines the boundaries of the subdivision lots by dimensional vectors.

That is, a bearing and a distance uniquely defines a boundary line (vector) from one boundary corner to the next. In practice the corners are physically marked on the ground to delineate the boundaries, and hence area, of each subdivision lot. Each subdivision lot is identified by a unique -lot number-, appearing on a "plan" of a number of lots, the plan having an associated plan number.

Under the cadastral system, the plan is a graphical representation of the various defined land areas, including subdivision lots, and is stored on public record (in hard copy and/or in electronic format) for evidentiary purposes.

When a plan of subdivision is recorded on the State Title Registry, a title issues as proof of ownership. The certificate of title records the name of the registered proprietor, details of tenureship and other interests in the land such as covenants, easements and the like.

Defining and recording numerous lots and associated certificates of title can create a significant administrative burden, which increases as the number of lots and certificates increases.

SUMM(RY OF TUE INVENTION The Inventor has discerned that it can be COMS ID No: ARCS-i 81 576 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:23 Date 2008-03-03 3 00 O valuable to create a very large number of very small L, subdivision lots that have no effective building or Sdevelopment use rights, and further that it can be useful ^C to provide an associated certificate of title for each subdivision lot.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of creating the ^C boundaries of a number of subdivision lots, comprising: Sdefining the boundaries of a selected parent lot, 00 10 within which the subdivision lots are to be provided; and creating a number of subdivision lots, all being within the parent lot, by electronically generating data which creates the boundaries of each of said subdivision lots; and wherein the subdivision lots are created so that the boundaries of each subdivision lot are spaced apart from and within the boundaries of the parent lot.

The step of defining the boundaries of a selected parent lot, within which the subdivision lots are to be provided may comprise: creating a software model of the parent block including the establishment of the external boundaries of the parent block on the existing Cadastral framework; connection of the external boundaries of the parent lot to the geodetic framework; converting the boundaries of the parent lot to a local coordinate system; converting the local coordinates of the geodetic network to establish coordinates consistent with the geodetic network; and wherein the location of each sibling lot is defined by the coordinates on the geodetic network to survey accuracy.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of defining a subdivision area for subdivision into the said number of subdivision lots, the subdivision area being smaller than the area of the parent lot and the N:\Brisbane\Cases\Patent\760CO-76999\P76919.AU.1\Specis\P76919.AU 1 Specification 2008-9-10 doc 11/09/08 4 00 subdivision area being entirely within the parent lot.

e Preferably, said step of defining a subdivision Sarea for subdivision into the said number of subdivision C lots is performed prior to the step of electronically generating data which defines the boundaries of each of said subdivision lots.

Preferably, the step of defining the boundaries C of the parent lot comprises defining the boundaries of the parent lot by ground survey.

00 10 Preferably, said step of creating a number of subdivision lots by electronically generating data comprises creating least twenty subdivision lots.

Preferably, said step of creating a number of subdivision lots by electronically generating data comprises creating at least one hundred subdivision lots.

Preferably, said step of creating a number of subdivision lots by electronically generating data comprises virtually overlaying an array of polygons on an area to be divided into subdivision lots.

Preferably, said step of creating a number of subdivision lots by electronically generating data comprises virtually overlaying a grid on an area to be divided into subdivision lots.

The overlaying process may be graphical or nongraphical.

Preferably, said step of creating a number of subdivision lots by electronically generating data comprises creating at least twenty subdivision lots which are of substantially identical size and shape.

Preferably, said step of creating a number of subdivision lots by electronically generating data comprises creating at least one hundred subdivision lots which are of substantially identical size and shape.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of storing the data relating to the boundaries of said subdivision lots in Land Registry records, such that legal title to each individual subdivision lot can be N:\BrisbaneNCasesPatent\76OO-76999\P76919AU 1Speajs\P76919.AU 1 Specification 2008-9-10.doc 11/09/08 5 00 0

C

ej c/^ subdivision lots in Land Registry records, such that legal title to each individual subdivision lot can be established, recorded, and transferred.

Preferably each s than 100 square metres.

Preferably each than 20 square metres.

Preferably each than 10 square metres.

Preferably each than 5 square metres.

Preferably each than 0.001 square metres.

Preferably each than 0.05 square metres.

Preferably each subdivision lot has an area less subdivision lot has an area less subdivision lot has an area less subdivision lot has an area less subdivision lot has an area more subdivision lot has an area more subdivision lot has an area of the order of 1 square metre.

Preferably each subdivision lot approximately 1 square metre.

has an area of Preferably, the method comprises creating said number of subdivision lots for use as small lots of land to be sold for fundraising. The fundraising is preferably for raising funds to have a beneficial effect on the subdivision or at least parent lot. For example, the fundraising may be to pay for projects to facilitate environmental, ecological and social objectives related to the parent lot.

It will be appreciated that sale of small subdivision lots which are part of an area which it is desired to conserve, for example to preserve flora or fauna which inhabit or use the area is an effective way of raising money to be used for conservation and of allowing purchasers of the lots to feel that they are participating in a real and effective manner.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of facilitating ownership of land and the administration associated N:\Brisbane\Cases'Patent76000-76999\P76919.AU.1\Specis\P76919.AU.1 Specification 2008-9-10 doe 10/09/08 6 00 O therewith, the method comprising: Q_ creating the boundaries of a subdivision lot of Sland, created from subdivision of a parent lot, by a C- method in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; allowing an application to purchase the subdivision lot of land by a purchaser via a website; and accepting payment from the purchaser by electronic means.

C Preferably the method comprises generating a Scertificate of ownership of the subdivision lot of land 00 10 and delivering the certificate to the purchaser.

Preferably the method comprises registration of the ownership of the subdivision lot of land with statutory land registry authorities.

Preferably the certificate of ownership reflects registration of the ownership of the subdivision lot of land with statutory land registry authorities.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of facilitating identification and/or observation of a subdivision lot of land the boundaries of which have been defined in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising: tagging the subdivision lot with a Unique Digital Address Code (UDAC).

Preferably the method comprises using a computer to transform the UDAC into coordinates of latitude and longitude for use by GIS systems.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for creating the boundaries of a number of subdivision lots, the system comprising a computer, and comprising: means for defining the boundaries of a selected parent lot, within which the subdivision lots are to be provided; and means for creating a number of subdivision lots, all being within the parent lot, by electronically generating data which creates the boundaries of each of N.\Brisbane\Cases\Patenfl7600-76999\P769 9AU. 1Specis\P7691 9.AU.1 Specification 2008-9-10.doc 10/09/08 6a 00 0 said subdivision lots; a and wherein the subdivision lots are generated so Sthat the boundaries of each subdivision lot are spaced C apart from and within the boundaries of the parent lot.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program, comprising Sinstructions for controlling a computer to implement a method in accordance with the first aspect of the Sinvention.

00 10 According to a sixth aspect of the present Sinvention there is provided a computer readable medium, providing a computer program in accordance with the fifth aspect of the invention.

It will be appreciated that integers described above in relation to an aspect of the invention may be (or may have equivalents or analogues which may be) applicable to other aspects.

N \BrisbaneCases\Patent\76000-76999\P76919 AU 1\Specis\P76919 AU 1 Specification 2008-9-10 doc 10109108 03/03/200e 03/032008 21:21 GRIFFITH HACK 4 00262837999N.19 02 NO. 5ig P012 00 -7 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ct Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the en drawings in which: 0S Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a lot of land with boundaries defined by ground survey; o Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the lot of land of Fig.1, with survey control marks provided o adjacent at least most of its corners; 0010 Fig. 3 is a is a schematic representation of the o lot of land of Fig.l, with an area marked which is to be subdivided into subdivision lots, the area being entirely within the lot; Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the area which is to be subdivided into subdivisionl lots divided by an overlaid grid; Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of one of the subdivision lots shown in rig. 4, and parts of neighbouring subdivision lots; Fig. 6 is a is a schematic representation of the area of Fig. 4, subdivided into subdivision lots, shown in relation to the lot of land of uig.s 1 to 3; Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a block diagram jllustrating software functions used in implementing a method in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and Fig. 9 is a schematic illustration of web based interaction between a computer system implementing a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and other parties.

DETAILE9D DESCRIPTION With reference to rig-s 1 to 6, an embodiment of a method in accordance with an aspect of the present COMS ID No: ARCS-i 81 576 Received by IP Australia: lime 22:23 Date 2008-03-03 03/03/20oe 03/032008 21:21 GRIFFITH HACK< 4 00262837999NO59 01 NO. 519 P013 0 invention comprises defining the boundaries of a large ct number of small subdivision lots -within an area of land which it is desired to conserve, so that the subdivision en lots can be sold to persons who support the conservation of the area of land. This can effectively provide divided ownership of the area of land so that each of the owners is unable to develop the land (as will be described (N hereafter) and can provide considerable revenue which can 0 o arrangement can provide the owners (purchasers) of the 0 subdivision lots with a feeling that they are doing more than merely making a financial contribution, and that they are participating in the conservation of the area in a real and effective manner. The teaching herein discloses emibodiments of a computer implemented method which can facilitate these results.

With reference to Fig. 1 an area of land which it is desired to conserve is selected and designated a parent lot 10. In the illustrated embodiment the parent lot is adjacent a road 12. Fig. 1 is a schematic, representation of the parent lot 10 with boundaries 14 defined by ground survey, in accordance with land registry records.

In the illustrated embodiment a cadaitral boundary survey of the parent lot 10 is undertaken to define the parent lots external boundaries 14. As illustrated in Fig. 2 (which represents a software model of the parent lot 10, as will be described hereafter) control survey marks 16 are placed around the perimeter of the boundaries 14 of the parent lot 10, and these control survey marks 16 are connected to the geodetic network utilising GPs control survey techniquxes in order to generate network coordinates for the boundaries of the parent lot 10. In the illustrated embodiment this comprises use of a geodetic network control mark 18. The nature and functions of control survey marks and their use COAS ID No: ARCS-i 81 576 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:23 Date 2008-03-03 03/03/20ee 21:21 03/03/208 21:21 GRIFFITH HPCK 4 002S2837999NO19 04 NO. 519 P014 00 -9 (N in connection with the geodetic network of a region will be familiar to surveyors and others skilled in land survey and demarcation, and will not be described in detail herein.

The locations (or coordinates) of the survey marks are provided, for example by downloading from survey o instruments used on site to a computer system used to 0 implement the method disclosed herein.

o As illustrated at blocks 130, 140 and 150 in the block diagram of Fig. 7, software running on the computer 00 o system calculates the boundaries and represents them o graphically within the digital cadastral boundary model, in this embodiment substantially in the form illustrated in Fig. 2.

The boundaries of the parent lot 10 are initially defined by an assumed or 'local' two dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. However, once the software has calculated the external boundaries of the parent lot 10 to fit with the existing cadastre, the boundaries are transformed from the 'local' system onto the geodetic network and corner coordinates are established. Thus the boundaries of the parent lot 10, within which subdivision lots are to be provided, are effectively defined.

An area of land within the software model of the parent lot 10 is then selected for oubdiv'iiion into subdivision lots, and this subdivision area is designated in Fig. 3. (It will be appreciated that two or more distinct subdivision areas may be provided in a single parent lot, and each divided into subdivision lots, but in the described embodiments it will be assumed, for convenience, that only one such area is provided in the parent lot.) in the illustrated embodiment the external corners 21, 22, 23, 24 of the subdivision area 20 are generated to form a square or rectangular subdivision area Further, in this embodiment, for simplicity of using a system based on latitude and longitude, and of further COMS ID No: ARCS-i 81 576 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:23 Date 2008-03-03 03/03/200e 03/032006 21:21 GRIFFITH mACK 4 00262837999NO59 01 NO. 519 P015 00 CA steps in the disclosed method which will be described, hereafter, the subdivision area 20 is aligned to the cardinal reference (North-South, East-West).

The software model of the subdivision area 20 is then divided, in this embodiment by being overlaid with a grid 25, in order to generate a number of subdivision lots o in the subdivision area 20. Although use of a square grid 0 (which may be considered an array of adjoining squares) is considered simple and convenient. it will be appreciated that the subdivision lots may be of any suitable desired o0 size and shape. For example, square subdivision lots o which are not adjoining may be used, a triangular grid could be used, or a number of circular subdivision lots could be defined.

In the illustrated embodiment each of the subdivision lots is substantially identical In area and shape and may be referred to as sibling lots. By way of example, one of the sibling lots, designated Lot 12 is specifically labelled in Fig. 4. it will be appreciated that Lot 12 is the twelfth sibling lot in the subdivision area 20, when the sibling lots are counted left to right starting at the top left hand lot as illustrated in Fig.

4. It is envisaged that sibling lost will typically be one square metre in area. This size allows generation of a large number of sibling lots in a reasonably sized subdivision area 20, end is a convenient and attractive size for marketing purposes. A square formation grid, with one metre by one metre squares may therefore be effectively used. However, it will be appreciated that the formation (eg square or rectangular) and sizing of the grid may be varied as desired. Having overlaid the virtual grid on the modelled subdivision area 20, the software stores the four corner coordinates of each of the sibling lots.

Fig. 5 illustrates in enlarged form, the sibling lot designated as Lot 12 in Fig. 4, and parts of the neighbouring sibling lots. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the COMS ID No: ARCS-181576 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:23 Date 2008-03-03 03/03/2008 21:21 GRIFFITH HPCK 4 00262837999 NO.519 i016 0 0 coordinates of the four corners of Lot 12 are recorded and illustrated (clockwise from bottom left) as being

(X,Y

1

(X',Y

1 and The software also calculates the centroid coordinates, designated in Fig. 5, of each sibling lot (and in the illustrated embodiment, with the grid running North-South and East-West, the centroid o coordinates Y' will be the mean of the respective X o and Y Coordinates of the sibling lot corners, although o suitable algorithms could be used for other orientations).

0 00 lot numbers are unique in a given subdivision area 20. In one embodiment the centroid coordinates are generated sequentially and each sibling lot is allocated a lot number according to the number of centroid coordinate sets The information relating to the lot numbers, boundary positions and centroid positions of the sibling lots is provided to the Land Registry. In one embodiment this information is provided as lot numbers and respective coordinates sets within a 'plan' for given subdivision area 20. In an alternative embodiment the sibling lot information is provided in the form of a graphical 'plan' for given subdivision area 20. In either case each 'plan' is allocated a unique plan number. Thus a sibling lot can be uniquely identified by its lot number and plan number.

This facilitates the creation of a conventional property title uniquely identified by lot number and plan number, facilitating official land registry recording and registration of the individual sibling lots despite the small size, low individual value and large number of sibling lots.

Fig. 6 illustrates a number of sibling lots, eq Lot 12, within a subdivision area 20, which is itself within the parent lot 10. rt will be appreciated that although 25 sibling lots are illustrated the number of sibling lots generated in a given subdivision area 203 would typically be much greater (and equal to the area, in COMS ID No: ARC-S-181576 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:23 Date 2008-03-03 03/03/200e 03/032009 21:21 GRIFFITH HACK 4 00262937999NO59 01 NO. 519 D017 00 12ri square metres, of the subdivision area 20, if the sibling lots are each one square metre). it will also be appreciated that the subdivision area 20 is chosen such that it is totally encapsulated within the parent lot,.

that is, so that there is a significant distance between any part of the boundary of the subdivision area 20 and o the nearest part of the boundary of the parent lot It will be appreciated that the owner of the o parent lot (typically a conservation organisation) will 010 normally continue to be responsible for the sibling lots 00 thereon, as well as for parts of the parent lot which are o not divided into sibling lots. It will also be appreciated that (as stated above) there is a significant distance between any part of the boundary of the subdivision area 20 and the nearest part of the boundary of the parent lot 10. This means that the subdivision area 20 will be within the parent lot 10, even if there has been some small error in generating coordinates for the subdivision area 20 and/or sibling lots, and any errors will not affect the boundaries of neighbouring properties owned by other parties. This in turn means that the Land Registry is likely to accept the electronically generated sibling lot details, despite the fact that they do not rely directly on ground survey as do other land boundaries.

Once a conservation organisation (or other entity creating and selling sibling lots) has the sibling lots created and registered with the land Registry, the sibling lots can be said and make an attractive item to sell to those wishing to contribute to conservation. In. a preferred system the sibling lots are sold through an ecommerce interface, such as a website at which potential purchasers may apply to purchase the sibling 'conservation' lots.

A detailed Restrictive Covenant sets out what activities are not permissible on the sibling lots. This restrictive covenant preferably accompanies the plan of COMS ID No: ARCS-181576 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:23 Date 2008-03-03 03/03/200e 03/032008 21:21 GRIFFITH HACK 4 00282837999N.59 P8 NO. Sig IP018 0 0subdivision lodged at the land registry. in addition, Various Covenants are created which pass control and occupation rights -back to the registered proprietor of the as specified i ln aaeetpawihrltst the parent lot. The land management plan is prepared for o the parent lot and details the extent of conservation o works/rehabilitation works required to be undertaken on o the overall parent lot and individual sibling conservation 010 lot sites.

as0ha A computer system, which may be the same system as hatused to define the sibling lots is then utilisod to tag a Unique Digital Address Code (EDAC) to each individual sibling lot. The centroid coordinate of each sibling lot is used as the tie point for the UDAC ensuring that each and every sibling lot is uniquely identified and tagged.

As mentioned previously, the centroid coordinates have been transformed from the "locale system onto the geodetic network and this transformation permits a further transformation to derive a 'world coordinate' (latitude and longitude) for each sibling lot. The world coordinate allows the information attached to the sibling lot to be implemented within a Geographic Information System (GIB).

This process allows for continual monitoring and visual confirmation of the progress of environmental conservation/rehabilitation works being undertaken on the sibling lot.

The land management plan and covenants attached to the title ensure that the management of conservation initiatives confers control between the parent lot and all subsequent sibling lots. The conservation effort for all sibling lots is planned, measured, reported and viewable in time through the ability to access and view the specific Sibling Conservation Lot using the tJDAC as a dynamic access point.

The information relating to the parent and COMS ID No: ARCS-181576 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:23 Date 2008-03-03 03/03/200e 21:21 03/03/209 21:21 GRIFFITH HACK 4 00262237999 J.59 Dt NO. 519 9019 0 (N sibling lots is utilised in a product package to ct facilitate electronic, web-based sale of sibling lots to purchasers.

M The intending purchaser must complete a purchaser disclosure statement and must be prepared to accept that the land they are purchasing will assign occupation rights back to the proprietor of the parent lot before they are (N permitted to enter into the transaction. To complete the 0 o must provide personal details. Acceptance of terms and 0 conditions prior to conducting web-based sales is known per se, and therefore is not described in detail herein.

When a purchaser has accept Lhe conditions of sale of the sibling lot, the web based system then processes the application and if all acceptance criteria are met, proceeds to process the transaction.

In one embodiment the system then utilizes a random lot generator to select a subdivision lot from the available land stock and allocate it to the purchaser.

The random lob generator is utilised to ensure that no lots with common boundaries are owned by the same person such that an amalgamation of adjoining lots could infer development rights outside of the intention of the land management plan. It is envisaged that a random lot generator would not be required if the layout of sibling lots were such that neighbouring sibling lots do not share a common boundary (eg in the case of separated or circular conservation lots).

A title is automatically generated and, subject to election by the purchaser, a copy is forwarded immediately by electronic conveyance or by normal postage.

With the transaction completed, the purchaser may be sent a basic "Conservation Club"f package which would include a Certificate of Title, a Certificate stating the UPAC reference information, a copy of the Land Management Plan and a copy of the Covenants if applicable. In COMS ID No: ARCS-i 81576 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:23 Date 2008-03-03 03/03/20oe 21:21 GRIFFITH i-for-v 4 o~rc~oronn 03/03/2FTHHAK40083C)O7C NOU. 519 P?020 00 -15 addi~tion to the basic Conservation Club package, the purchaser can elect to receive enhanced product services an tlte o urhsr ol eofee namli and utilities. It is envisaged that the extended services o 5 tiered level and could include one or more of:2 a) IT Enhancements including: o a Automatic email/urns notification of animal occupation 0 of their land o a Automatic email/urns notification of points of interest, ie. like a threatened bird species 00 returning to the rehabilitated land Greater resolution satellite imagery and aerial photography *Progressive imagery and site profiling update m Additional data met. of information as relevant Access to more regular updates and information bulletins from the organisation and/or b) Product Enhancements including: a Personalised welcoming letter from the Parent Conservation Lot organisation Personalized colour Title output, which could include the purchaser's photo on the Title individually framed Title print mailed to purchaser 9 Personalised message printed on Title Carbon offsetting opportunities The described embodiments thus facilitate delivery of a useful product to the world market place.

and can provide assist in providing an effective model for conversation funding and land management practices.

With reference to Fig. 7, it will be appreciated that an embodiment of a method in accordance with an aspect of the invention comprises, defining the boundaries of a parent lot (block 110); defining a subdivision area (block 120); electronically defining the sibling lots (blocks 130 and 140) well within the boundaries of the COMS ID No: ARCS-181578 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:23 Date 2008-03-03 03/03/200e 03/032009 21:21 GRIFFITH HACK< 4 002621937999N.19 02 NO. 519 P021 00 16 (N parent lot (block 1BO), providing details to, and as Ct previously agreed with, an official Land Registry (block 160), selling sibling lots as fundraising via a website MC (block 170) and providing an official land title to the o 5 purchaser (block 180). The tagging of the lot via U1JAC and latitude/longitude coordinates also facilitates allowing the purchaser to view and/or be kept updated (N regarding status of and/or activity on the purchased o sibling lot (block 290).

With reference to rig. a it will be appreciated 00 o that computer software installed on a computer system is 0 an i.mportant part of implementing the described method- As shown in Fig. 8, operations performed by the software, in a preferred embodiment, are illustrated as being with the 'software' box 200. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thus comprises: performing on-site measurements of the parent lot (block for example using survey control marks as described above; having data receiving means in the software 200 receive data relating to the boundaries of the parent lot (block 210); having calculating means in the software 200 calculate local data relating to the boundaries of the parent lot (block 220); having transform moans in the software transform the data to a geodetic network and establish corner coordinates of the parent lot (block 230), having a subdivision area boundary determination means in the software determine or accept data relating to the boundaries of the area to be subdidvided into subdivision lots (block 240); having subdividision lot boundary defining means establish boundaries of subdivision lots within the subdivision area (block 250); having subdivision lot data recordal means in the software record data relating to the positions of the corners (and hence the boundaries) and centroid of the subdivision lots (block 160); having a data output t-ranamit said data, for example via an Internet connection, to an official land registry 92; and having an c-commerce part of the software COMS ID No: ARCS-181576 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:23 Date 2008-03-03 03/03/2009 03/032009 21:21 GRIFFITH HACK 4 00262937999N.59 Q2 NO. 519 P02-D 00 17- (N transact web-based sales of subdivision lots (block 270) to purchasers 94. it will be appreciated that the reference numerals in Fig. 8 which begin with the digit M 'R2" designate, at least in one embodiment, functions performed by the software system 200. it will further be appreciated that the 1UDAC tagging can be performed by the software, even though this is not shown in Fig. 8.

c-i With reference to Fig. 9 the interaction of the computer bused system used to implement an embodiment of method with other parties is schematically o0 illustrated. The computer-based system 301 is connected o via an internet connection 302 to the internet 303. The government Land Registry 304 is also connected to the internet 303 allowing transfer of data between the system 301 and the Land Registry 304, as discussed herein and as illustrated in Fig. 8. The computer based system 301 also communicated with a server 305 which administers a website allowing potential purchasers of subdivision lots to obtain information regarding the parent lots and subdivision lots, to apply to purchase subdivision lots, and to make payment therefore.

The described embodiment thus provides a valuable means of creating and utilising a saleable product, allowing fundraising of conservation initiatives and/or environmental rehabilitation which might otherwise be unfunded. It should be appreciated that the use of software on a computer system provides important benefits over an equivalent manual (or entirely ground survey based system) since it removes much of the mathematical and administrative burden. One benefit is in gaining the cooperation of the official government Land Registry, which is required in order to allow provision of formal Land Registry approved title deeds to the purchasers of the subdivision lots. it is believed that most (if not all) government Land Registries would not be willing to endure the administrative burden of registering thousand of (eg) one square metre subdivision lots if the plans for COMS ID No: ARCS-181576 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:23 Date 2008-03-03 03/03/20oe 03/032008 21:21 GRIFFITH HACK 4 00262837999 N.1 ~2 NO. 519 9023 00 -18 0such lots were provided in analogue form and arrived at by ground survey. However, given the potential environmental and/or other benefits that the sale of subdivision iota as described above can bring about, it is believed that o 5 cooperation from government Land Registries will be forthcoming provided the administrative burden is o acceptable. Use of the computer based system can at least o help to keep the administrative burden acceptable, by o providing plans of subdivisions in digital form.

010 It should be appreciated that although the 00 primary use of the creation and sale of small subdivision o lots is to further conservation of an area, objectives other than conservation may be realiseable, such as facilitating ownership of traditionally owned land by a large number of people, or enhancing land such as a rundown botanical gardens.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word 'comprise" or variations such as "acomprises" or uAcomprisingN is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of' the invention.

Variations and modifications can be made in respect of the invention described above.

COMS ID No: ARCS-181 576 Received by IP Australia: Time 22:23 Date 2008-03-03

Claims (4)

1. A method of creating the boundaries of a number C- of subdivision lots, comprising: defining the boundaries of a selected parent lot, within which the subdivision lots are to be provided; and creating a number of subdivision lots, all being Swithin the parent lot, by electronically generating data 00 10 which creates the boundaries of each of said subdivision lots; and wherein the subdivision lots are created so that the boundaries of each subdivision lot are spaced apart from and within the boundaries of the parent lot.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the subdivision lots are to be sold to purchasers without building or development use rights and said step of creating a number of subdivision lots by electronically generating data comprises creating at least one hundred subdivision lots, each having an area no greater than twenty square metres.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of defining the boundaries of a selected parent lot, within which the subdivision lots are to be provided comprises: creating a software model of the parent block including the establishment of the external boundaries of the parent block on the existing Cadastral framework; connection of the external boundaries of the parent lot to the geodetic framework; converting the boundaries of the parent lot to a local coordinate system; converting the local coordinates onto the geodetic network to establish coordinates consistent with the geodetic network; and wherein the location of each sibling lot is defined by the coordinates on the geodetic network to survey N:\Brisbane\Cases\Patent76000-76999\P76919AU 1\Specis\P7691 9AU.1 Specification 2008-9-10.doc 11/09108 00 20 00 accuracy.

4. A method of facilitating ownership of land and C- the administration associated therewith, the method comprising: creating the boundaries of a subdivision lot of land, created from subdivision of a parent lot, by a c method in accordance any of claims 1 to 3; allowing an Sapplication to purchase the subdivision lot of land by a 00 10 purchaser via a website; and accepting payment from the Spurchaser by electronic means. (N A method of facilitating identification and/or observation of a subdivision lot of land the boundaries of which have been created in accordance with any of claims 1 to 3, the method comprising: tagging the subdivision lot with a Unique Digital Address Code. N.'BrisbaneNCasesPatentj760DO-769997691 9.AU.1\Specs P7691 9.AU.1 Specfication 2008-9-10.doc 11109108