Advice
Choosing the Right Retaining Wall for Your Property
How to choose a retaining wall — materials, height, drainage and when engineering or approvals may be needed in Queensland.
Start with the purpose
Are you creating a flat lawn, supporting a driveway, building garden terraces or managing a level change at the boundary? The purpose determines the loads the wall must handle and the design required.
Common wall types
Concrete sleeper walls with steel posts are durable and popular. Timber sleeper walls suit lower garden walls. Interlocking block and masonry walls offer different looks and can suit curves and higher designs when engineered.
Drainage
Water pressure behind a wall is a leading cause of failure. Free-draining backfill, ag pipe, geofabric and a planned discharge point should be part of any retaining wall quote.
Approvals and engineering
In Queensland, retaining walls over certain heights, close to boundaries or buildings, or supporting additional loads may require engineering design and building approval. Requirements change over time, so confirm current rules with a building certifier or Mackay Regional Council for your property.