Erosion control matting holds soil in place while vegetation takes root. It sounds simple, but picking the wrong mat for your site conditions is one of the fastest ways to waste a project budget.

Whether you are stabilising a road batter, revegetating a creek bank, or protecting a new subdivision from the next big storm, the type of erosion control matting you choose determines how long it lasts and how well it performs. This guide covers the main types available in Australia, where each one works best, and how to avoid the common mistakes.

All Stake Supply stocks a full range of erosion control matting at their St Marys NSW warehouse, with delivery anywhere in Australia.

What Is Erosion Control Matting

Erosion control matting is a rolled material that you peg over exposed soil to reduce the impact of rain, wind, and surface water runoff. It protects the soil surface while seeds germinate and roots establish underneath. You may also hear it called an erosion control blanket, anti-erosion mat, or soil stabilisation matting. The terms overlap, though "blanket" tends to refer to lighter biodegradable products while "mat" and "matting" cover the full range including synthetic reinforcement.

Without it, bare soil on slopes loses topsoil within the first few heavy rainfall events. That washed-away topsoil clogs drains, silts up waterways, and leaves you with subsoil that barely supports plant growth.

• Reduces raindrop impact on bare soil by up to 95%
• Slows surface water velocity so sediment stays in place
• Retains moisture around seeds and new plantings
• Biodegradable options break down and add organic matter to the soil
• Required on most Australian construction sites under erosion and sediment control plans

The NSW Government erosion control guidelines list matting as a primary method for slope stabilisation during and after construction.

Types of Erosion Control Matting Available in Australia

Every erosion control matting product falls into one of two broad categories: biodegradable or synthetic. The right choice depends on how long you need protection, the slope gradient, and the expected water flow.

Coir Matting

Made from coconut fibre, coir matting is the workhorse of erosion control in Australia. It lasts 3 to 5 years before fully breaking down, which gives vegetation plenty of time to establish even on difficult sites.

Coir handles steep slopes well. The heavier 700gsm and 900gsm grades suit batters up to 1:1, while the lighter 400gsm grade works on gentler slopes where rain impact is the main concern. For detailed installation steps, read the guide to installing coir matting on slopes and embankments.

Jute Matting

Jute matting biodegrades faster than coir, typically within 12 to 24 months. That shorter lifespan makes it the economical choice for sites where vegetation establishes quickly, like well-watered garden beds, flat council revegetation projects, or areas with good topsoil.

The 750gsm thick jute matting handles more demanding sites, including sand dunes and moderate slopes. Standard 620gsm jute suits flat to gently sloping ground. If you want a deeper look at the lifespan differences, see our comparison of jute matting versus coir matting.

Jute Mesh

Jute soil saver mesh has an open weave pattern rather than a solid mat structure. It works best over areas that already have some vegetation cover, holding soil while allowing light and water through to existing plants.

Turf Reinforcement Mesh

When you need permanent protection that never biodegrades, TR4 turf reinforcement mesh fills the gap. Synthetic turf reinforcement mats lock into the root zone and provide ongoing structural support for turf on high-flow channels, steep embankments, and spillways.

Erosion Control Matting Comparison

This table summarises the key differences between the four main matting types. Use it to narrow down which product suits your site.

Erosion Control Matting for Slopes and Banks

Slope gradient is the single biggest factor in choosing an erosion control mat. Water moves faster on steep ground, which means greater shear force on the soil surface and more demand on whatever is holding it together.

Gentle Slopes (3:1 or Flatter)

Sheet flow is the main concern. Standard jute matting at 620gsm or jute soil saver mesh provides enough surface protection. The roots of turf grasses and ground covers will take over within a season, and the matting breaks down naturally after that.

Moderate Slopes (2:1 to 3:1)

Water begins to concentrate in rills at this gradient. Thick 750gsm jute matting or 400gsm coir handles the higher runoff energy. Pin spacing should be closer (500mm centres across the full mat, not just the edges) to stop the mat lifting between anchors.

Steep Slopes and Embankments (1:1 to 2:1)

Heavy coir matting at 700gsm or 900gsm is the standard choice. On road cuttings, dam walls, and steep creek banks, you need a mat that lasts long enough for deep-rooted native species to knit the soil together. Where the slope also carries concentrated stormwater flow, pair biodegradable matting with synthetic turf reinforcement mesh underneath for permanent bank stabilisation.

Channel Beds and Spillways

Water velocity in channels regularly exceeds what any biodegradable product can handle. TR4 turf reinforcement mesh is the go-to here. It locks into the root zone permanently and withstands repeated high-flow events without shifting. Planning a full erosion control strategy for a construction site usually means combining channel-bed reinforcement with slope matting and silt logs or sediment barriers downstream.

How to Choose the Right Erosion Control Matting

Start with the site conditions, not the product catalogue. Three things determine which matting you need: the slope angle, expected water flow, and how long protection is required.

1. Measure the slope gradient. Anything steeper than 2:1 (more than 26 degrees) calls for coir or synthetic reinforcement. Jute won't last long enough on steep ground.
2. Assess water flow. If the area channels concentrated runoff during storms, you need a heavier grade. Flat areas with only sheet flow can use lighter, less expensive options.
3. Decide on protection duration. Need cover for one growing season while turf establishes? Jute. Revegetating native species that take years to fill in? Coir or synthetic.
4. Check your erosion and sediment control plan. Most Australian construction projects require an approved ESCP. The plan typically specifies matting grade and installation requirements.
5. Factor in the soil type. Sandy soils erode faster and need heavier-grade matting. Clay soils hold together better but crack when dry, so they still benefit from surface protection.

How to Install Erosion Control Matting

Poor installation is the number one reason erosion control matting fails. The mat itself might be perfect for the job, but if water gets underneath it or wind lifts the edges, you are back to square one.

1. Prepare the surface. Remove rocks, sticks, and debris. Fill ruts and smooth the soil so the mat sits flat with full ground contact.
2. Start at the top of the slope. Unroll downhill and overlap each run by at least 100mm. Water must flow over the overlaps, not under them.
3. Anchor the top edge. Dig a 150mm trench across the top of the slope, tuck the mat into it, and backfill. This stops water from getting behind the matting.
4. Pin the mat down. Use steel fastening pins at 1m centres across the mat and 500mm centres along the edges. Sandy or loose soil needs closer pin spacing.
5. Seed before or after. You can broadcast seed onto prepared soil before laying the mat, or hydroseed over the top. Both methods work, but pre-seeding gives better seed-to-soil contact.

Slitted jute and coir matting products, like the slitted jute matting roll, come with pre-cut slits that let you plant tube stock directly through the mat without cutting holes yourself. That saves time on revegetation projects where you are planting hundreds of seedlings. For step-by-step instructions specific to each material, see the jute matting installation guide.

Common Erosion Control Matting Mistakes

After 48 years supplying erosion control products across Australia, All Stake Supply has seen every installation mistake in the book. Here are the ones that come up most often.

• Not enough pins. Wind and water lift matting that isn't pinned properly. More pins cost a fraction of re-doing the job.
• Overlapping the wrong way. On slopes, upper rolls must overlap on top of lower rolls. Get it backwards and water channels underneath the mat.
• Skipping the anchor trench. Without a trench at the top of the slope, water runs behind the mat from day one.
• Using jute where coir is needed. Jute biodegrades in 12 to 24 months. If your vegetation needs 3 or more years to establish, jute will be gone before the plants fill in.
• Ordering from multiple suppliers. Partial deliveries stall jobs on site. All Stake Supply ships your complete order in one delivery, guaranteed.

Biodegradable vs Synthetic Erosion Control Matting

Biodegradable matting (coir, jute, straw) breaks down and adds organic matter to the soil. That is an advantage on revegetation projects because it feeds the very plants you are trying to establish.

Synthetic matting does not break down. It stays in the soil permanently and provides long-term structural reinforcement. That makes it the right pick for high-flow stormwater channels, dam spillways, and any site where vegetation alone will not hold the ground.

• Biodegradable mats leave no waste on site once they decompose
• Synthetic mats handle higher water velocities and shear forces
• Many councils and environmental authorities prefer biodegradable products on revegetation projects
• The Australian Department of the Environment guidelines favour biodegradable erosion control where practical
• Synthetic turf reinforcement mesh can be used together with biodegradable matting for a layered approach on extreme slopes

Erosion Control Matting FAQ

Where to Buy Erosion Control Matting in Australia

All Stake Supply has supplied erosion control products since 1976. With over 1,000 products in stock at their St Marys NSW warehouse, they deliver complete orders anywhere in Australia.

One order, full delivery. No partial shipments holding up your job. That matters when you have a batter exposed to the weather and need matting on site before the next forecast rain.

Coir matting range:

Jute matting and mesh range: