RETAINING WALLS GOLD COAST

What are the correct steps to build a retaining wall?

(Source: Gold Coast City Council, at

http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard.aspx?PID=3654)

You should take the following steps prior to building a retaining wall to avoid future problems:

1. consult with an engineer, an architect, or a building designer to prepare a plan showing the location of the retaining wall on your property
2. consider at least 600 millimetre clearance between the property boundary line and the closest part of the retaining wall
3. ensure that the wall is not within 2 metres of Council underground services (sewer main, stormwater pipe or water supply main pipe)
4. engage a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) to select, design and certify the most suitable type of retaining wall for the site
5. advise the RPEQ if you are planning a another structure that may impose a surcharge loading on the wall (For example: driveway or building loads adjacent to wall)
6. obtain a copy of the engineer-designed section for the wall signed and certified by the RPEQ
7. obtain a building approval if a surcharge loading is imposed on the wall or the height of the wall is 1 metre or greater, or the wall is located within 1.5 metres of a building or another retaining wall
8. a building approval can be obtained from Council or from a suitably qualified private certifier prior to construction of the wall
9. engage a Registered Builder to build the wall under the supervision of the RPEQ
10. obtain inspection certificates from the RPEQ for the construction of the wall at different stages (excavation, reinforcement, subsoil drainage and final)
11. obtain a final certificate from the private certifier

Note: Items 7, 8 and 11 are not necessary where the retaining wall is self-assessable.