LiDAR Surveying of ‘Newtown: CBD Recovery Plan’ site complete!

The Vanuatu Future Fund, under Newtown Ltd, has secured 189 hectares of prime development land in Port Vila to anchor the CBD Recovery Plan. Stretching from Montmarte Rd, Bellevue to the southern end of Bauerfield International Airport’s runway, this acquisition is a significant step toward strengthening essential infrastructure, enhancing community resilience, and driving the economic revitalisation of our capital city.

In partnership with Kahuto Pacific, survey work on the site have begun with benchmarks established across the site to support future survey work. High‑accuracy data capture was conducted using a DJI M300 drone equipped with LiDAR and photogrammetry sensors, coordinated with airport control tower schedules.

• Data Capture: LiDAR provided dense point cloud returns through canopy cover; photogrammetry produced ~4,000 overlapping high‑resolution images.
• Positioning & Accuracy: Ground Control Points (GCPs) and IMU GPS ensured precise georeferencing.
• Processing: LiDAR point clouds classified (ground, vegetation, buildings, water); photogrammetry stitched into 3D models and orthomosaic.
• Quality Control: GCPs and checkpoints verified accuracy and refined alignment.
• Deliverables: Digital Terrain Model (DTM), Digital Surface Model (DSM), contours, and high‑resolution orthomosaic—optimized for use by engineers, architects, and planners as a reliable base model for future development.