Coco fibre goes by several names. You will see it listed as coconut fibre, coir fibre, or simply coir. They all refer to the same raw material, though the end products differ depending on how the fibre is processed and shaped.

This guide breaks down the different forms of coco fibre, what each one does well, and which product suits specific jobs on Australian sites. Whether you are stabilising a creek bank, lining a garden bed, or improving soil structure, coco fibre has a product form built for the task.

Where Coco Fibre Comes From

Coco fibre is harvested from the mesocarp, which is the thick layer between the outer shell and the inner coconut. After the coconuts are husked, the fibres are separated by soaking the husks in water for several weeks. This process is called retting, and it loosens the fibres from the surrounding pith material.

Once separated, the long fibres are dried and either bundled as raw fibre or processed into specific products like matting, logs, and blankets. The leftover fine material is coco peat, a separate product used as a growing medium.

• Long fibres (15 to 35 cm) are used for matting, logs, and rope. These are the strongest fibres and resist breakdown the longest.
• Short fibres (under 15 cm) are used in upholstery, brushes, and soil blends. They break down faster but still add structure to growing media.
• Coco peat (dust) is the powdery residue left after fibre extraction. It holds water well but is a different product from coco fibre itself.

Most coco fibre used in Australia comes from Sri Lanka, India, and the Philippines. It is a renewable byproduct of coconut farming, which makes it a practical alternative to synthetic erosion control products that sit in landfill once removed. The Australian Department of the Environment recognises biodegradable erosion control materials as a preferred option on sensitive sites near waterways.

Coco Fibre Product Forms

Raw coco fibre is processed into several distinct products, each designed for a different application. Knowing which form to use saves money and gets better results than trying to force one product to do everything.

Coir Logs

Coir logs are cylinders of densely packed coco fibre wrapped in coir netting. They are placed along waterways, drainage channels, and slopes to slow water flow, trap sediment, and give native vegetation time to establish. The fibre breaks down over 3 to 5 years, by which point plant roots have taken over the stabilisation job.

All Stake Supply carries coir logs in three diameters. The 150mm x 3m coir log suits minor drainage lines and garden edges. The 200mm x 3m and 300mm x 3m sizes handle creek banks, dam walls, and civil earthworks.

Coir Matting

Coir matting is woven coco fibre in flat roll form, laid directly on exposed soil to prevent erosion from rain and runoff. The open weave allows seeds to germinate through the mat while holding soil in place during establishment. It is the go-to product for slope stabilisation, revegetation projects, and construction site sediment control.

Matting comes in different weights measured in grams per square metre (gsm). Heavier mats last longer and handle steeper slopes.

• A 400gsm coir matting roll works on gentle slopes and garden beds.
• The 700gsm roll handles moderate embankments and drainage channels.
• For steep slopes and high-flow areas, the 900gsm coir matting is the heaviest option.

Loose Coco Fibre

Loose coco fibre is the raw, unprocessed product. Landscapers and horticulturalists mix it into soil to improve drainage, aeration, and water retention. Unlike peat moss, coco fibre does not compact over time, which keeps the soil structure open across multiple growing seasons.

Loose fibre is also used as a liner for hanging baskets and wire planters. It drains well, holds moisture longer than sphagnum moss, and breaks down slowly enough to last a full growing season in Australian conditions.

Coco Fibre vs Jute for Erosion Control

Both coco fibre and jute are used for erosion control matting, and project managers regularly ask which one to specify. The answer depends on how long you need the product to last and what the site conditions are.

On sites where vegetation needs 2 or more years to establish, coco fibre matting is the better investment. Jute matting breaks down before the plants have anchored the soil, which means you end up replacing it or losing ground.

For fast-growing turf on flat ground, jute does the job at a lower price. The CSIRO has published research on natural fibre degradation rates in Australian soils, confirming that coir outlasts jute by a factor of two to three under typical field conditions.

For a more detailed comparison, see our article on the differences between jute matting and coir matting. You can also browse the full range of erosion control products from All Stake Supply.

Common Uses for Coco Fibre in Australia

Coco fibre products turn up on a wide range of Australian projects, from backyard gardens through to council infrastructure jobs. The material handles Australian UV, heat, and heavy rainfall better than most organic alternatives, which is why it has become the standard for biodegradable erosion control on sensitive sites.

Erosion Control on Slopes and Waterways

Coir matting and coir logs are specified on construction sites, road cuttings, and creek rehabilitation projects across NSW, Queensland, and Victoria. Councils and developers prefer them because the products meet environmental requirements for biodegradable materials near waterways.

Typical erosion control applications include:

• Highway and road cutting stabilisation after earthworks
• Creek bank rehabilitation and riparian zone restoration
• Dam wall and spillway protection
• Construction site sediment control during the build phase
• Post-bushfire revegetation on exposed slopes

For a step-by-step guide on installing coir products, see how to install coir matting and how to install coir log silt berms.

Soil Improvement

Mixed into heavy clay or sandy soils, coco fibre improves both drainage and water-holding capacity. The fibres create air pockets that stop clay from compacting, and they hold moisture that would otherwise drain straight through sand.

• Clay soils: Coco fibre breaks up dense structure and improves root penetration.
• Sandy soils: The fibre holds moisture that would otherwise drain straight through.
• Raised beds: Mixed at 20 to 30 percent by volume, it keeps potting mixes loose across multiple seasons.
• Turf establishment: Worked into the top 100mm before laying turf, it improves root-zone drainage.

Weed Suppression

Coir matting laid over bare soil blocks light and suppresses weed germination while still allowing planted species to grow through. On revegetation projects, this gives native seedlings a head start without relying on herbicides.

Jute weed mats from All Stake Supply serve a similar purpose around individual plantings. Browse the weed mat range for the full selection.

How Long Does Coco Fibre Last

Coco fibre lasts between 3 and 5 years in most Australian conditions before it fully biodegrades. That lifespan is longer than jute (1 to 2 years) and shorter than synthetic geotextiles (20 years or more).

For most revegetation and erosion control work, 3 to 5 years is the sweet spot. Plants need 2 to 3 growing seasons to anchor soil on their own, and coco fibre sticks around long enough to see them through.

Several factors affect how quickly coco fibre breaks down on site.

• Moisture. Coco fibre in permanently wet conditions (submerged in a creek, for example) degrades faster than fibre on a dry slope.
• UV exposure. Direct sunlight speeds up breakdown. Matting under a revegetation canopy lasts longer than matting on an exposed embankment.
• Weight/density. A 900gsm coir mat lasts significantly longer than a 400gsm mat because there is more material to break down.
• Soil biology. Active, healthy soils with high microbial populations decompose organic material faster.

If your project requires protection beyond 5 years, coco fibre is not the right choice. Synthetic erosion control blankets or rock armour are better options for permanent installations.

But for the majority of revegetation and construction site stabilisation work in Australia, coco fibre hits the balance between performance, cost, and environmental responsibility. The International Erosion Control Association rates coconut fibre products among the most effective biodegradable options for temporary erosion control.

Choosing the Right Coco Fibre Product

Picking the right coco fibre product comes down to two questions. What are you trying to achieve, and how steep or exposed is the site?

The table below matches common project types to the right product.

For larger projects, talk to the team at All Stake Supply before ordering. They have been supplying erosion control and landscaping products from their St Marys NSW warehouse since 1976 and can recommend the right product and quantity for your site.