Regulations - Heritage Precast

Regulations

Councils Regulations

Compliance and Building Approvals

All councils in the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Ipswich regions have certain regulations in regards to the construction of Retaining Walls. Queensland building regulations, you do not need building approval for a retaining wall if it fulfills the following three criteria:

There is no 'surcharge loading' over the zone of influence for the wall (refer to definitions in the Building Regulation 2006 - Schedule 1 Section 3).
The total height of wall and of the fill or cut retained by the wall is no more than one metre above the wall's natural ground surface.
The wall is no closer than 1.5 metres to a building or another retaining wall.

If your retaining wall does not meet all of these requirements, a building application is mandatory and it needs to be approved by a building certifier. You will need to provide the following documents to Council:

Rates notice
Current title search & registered plan if you can provide otherwise certifier will do this.
Copy of Q leave portable long service leave and workplace health and safety notification receipt, if the job exceeds $80,000.
3 sets of architectural plans (site plan to include boundary details and roof water connection to stormwater) and 3 sets of structural drawings, including soil reports and structural engineer's certificate & form 15.

Completed and signed Form 1 IDAS Development Applications Form (Part A & B).

View Form

The Code also requires minimum clearances from roads, and side and rear boundaries, and also of council underground services (sewer main, storm water pipe or water supply main pipe).

Please note: If you do not obtain council approval for assessable retaining walls, you may face heavy penalties for committing an offence against the Building Act 1975 and consequently against the Integrated Planning Act 1997.

For more information regarding council regulations and approvals, please click on your relevant council link below.