Tankengine wrote:OK, so there have been a number of ideas tossed around as to what does, and does not constitute a trig… But no definitive criteria… So maybe some criteria can be set?
Now, I’m by no means an authority on trigs (although I have found about 70, of which I have originally published around 20), so here are my thoughts… Maybe this list can be amended as required?
What should be considered a trig:
1. Trigs must be listed as a proper trig in a government website.
2. ADDITIONALLY – at GZ there must be either:
- a recognisable trig at that location, be it a quad beacon, rock pile, trig pole, steeple etc, or
- significant/recognisable remains of what is listed above. (ie bent poles, concrete platform showing where a quad beacon was once attached, rock pile without the marker pole, etc
Additionally:
What should NOT be considered a trig:
Even if listed as a proper trig on a government website (Those sites contain known errors – they even admit it), the following should NOT be accepted:
1. A lone bolt or unnamed stub,
2. A yellow (or other colour) survey pole (even if accompanied by a stub),
What I am in two minds about, as to whether it should be allowed:
- A bronze stub accompanied by a plate showing the name of the trig? (Any suggestions)
Following an email I sent to the ACT Planning and Land Authority concerning their on-line reporting form not working, and a query re the validity of the 'Gungahlin' Trig I received the following reply:
"Thankyou for your feedback on the problems with the Survey Mark Status Form. I will arrange to have the form fixed. We are keen to hear from members of the public on the status of any trigs, etc that have been found, so in the interim, you can email me directly with the details of any survey marks that require maintenance if you wish.
Gungahlin Trig is indeed a trig station. It appears in the publication titled “Trigonometrical Survey of New South Wales, Register of Stations” that was published by the NSW Department of Lands in 1895. The ground mark is of vital importance to surveyors and it is part of the major survey control network in the ACT. Originally, a pole and stone cairn was erected over the ground mark. Examples of this type of beacon are Palmer, Gudgenby and McDonald trigs. While looking impressive, the problem with a pole and cairn is that it is difficult and time consuming if a surveyor needs to access the ground mark.
As Canberra was established, new trigs were placed and many of the existing cairns were dismantled. Some of them had “second class beacons” erected over the ground mark. Surviving examples of these are Pialligo, Duntroon and Bulls Head trigs. Other trigs had “first class beacons” erected over the mark, however I believe the only surviving first class beacon is at Poppet Trig.
As development proceeded in the 1960s and 1970s, the first and second class beacons were replaced by steel quadrapods. If you visit Franklin or Stranger trigs fro example, the nearby pile of rocks is the result of the original cairn being dismantled. McDonald is a bit different, as the original McDonald Trig rock cairn is still there, and a nearby eccentric survey mark known as “McDonald Ecce” was constructed with a quadrapod over the new ground mark.
Some trigs, such as Gungahlin and Weetangera trigs, had their cairn and/or beacon removed but a newer quadrapod was never erected. These marks often have some concrete witness posts protecting the ground mark.
Then there are the NSW (eg: Bald Trig) and Natmap trigs (eg: NM/C/106), which are concrete pillars…" (End Quote)
Not only is it now beyond doubt that the Gungahlin Trig IS a Trig, the really funny bit is the argument against me listing the stone cairn at 'McDonald' because it would appear the stone cairn is THE McDonald Trig and the quadripod previously referred to as the McDonald trig by my detractors is an 'eccenctric survey mark'. Bahahahaha!!!! Moral of the story: If you're going to bag what others are doing, do your homework!!!
Now that I've nearly stopped laughing, I'd certainly encourage trig-gers to utilise the on-line form on the ACTPLA website (once it's fixed) to help them update their records as they have confirmed they would like the public to do so. There is also a similar form on the NSW Lands Department website so I'd encourage everyone to do likewise there as well. The GC community could become the saviour of the Trigs!!!
