When Does a Retaining Wall Need To Be Engineered? If you’re building or planning a retaining wall, this is a critical question to answer before breaking ground. While retaining walls may seem straightforward, most Australian states have specific regulations that require engineering approval for certain heights, locations, and uses.
At Engineering On Demand, we’ve created cost-effective and practical solutions to meet these requirements. Our standard retaining wall plans are designed to comply with Australian Standards and help ensure your project meets legal and safety obligations.
So, When Does a Retaining Wall Need To Be Engineered? The answer depends on your location and project details. For example, in South Australia, retaining walls over 1 metre high usually require engineering and council approval. Additional factors such as zoning, soil classification, and intended use also affect whether engineering is mandatory.
If you’re uncertain about your obligations, contact our team for guidance. We’ll explain the local requirements, provide compliant designs, and help you navigate the rules so your retaining wall is safe, durable, and built to code.
Engineering your retaining wall can be tricky, especially if you don’t have the necessary drafting skills or knowledge. In this case, you’ll need to contact a professional with the skillset required to deliver a Gravity Retaining Wall Design that meets council and Australian standards. In addition, since retaining walls battle gravity and lateral forces, it’s essential to have your wall carefully designed. So don’t take any chances and contact us for help.
At Engineering On Demand, we can provide a Gravity Retaining Wall Design to resist soil pressure through weight and geometry design that maintains stability. We can achieve this through our limestone retaining wall solutions, fully engineered by industry professionals to BCA standards. We have the skills to build limestone retaining walls as high as 4m using readily available block sizes of 350x350x1000, 240x350x1000, and 240x350x500. We also provide allowances for Colorbond fencing for walls over 650mm high
Different states in Australia have varying regulations that determine When Does a Retaining Wall Need To Be Engineered? The specific requirements depend on your location, and at Engineering On Demand, we can assist you in contacting your local council to confirm these rules. Beyond wall height, important considerations include:
The distance from a neighbouring property
Ensuring the wall does not divert water to an adjacent property
Confirming it is not within a metre of an easement, sewerage pipes, or water mains
Maintaining the required distance from a water body
At Engineering On Demand, we assess all these factors before recommending a standard for your retaining wall. If one of our pre-designed standards does not meet your project’s needs, we can create a fully customized plan. Plus, if you need hands-on support, our professional construction services are ready to deliver safe, compliant, and long-lasting results.