Coir logs slow water, trap sediment, and let native plants grow through them as they break down.
If you've got a creek bank washing away, a drain cutting deeper every storm, or a slope that won't hold soil, coir logs are probably the fix. They're made from compressed coconut fibre wrapped in coir netting, and they work because water passes through them instead of over them.
This guide covers which size to pick, how to install them properly, and the mistakes that send people back to do the job twice. All Stake Supply stocks four sizes ready to ship from the St Marys NSW warehouse.
Looking for coir logs? Browse the full coir log range or contact the team for trade pricing and bulk orders.
A coir log is a cylindrical roll of compressed coconut husk fibre, held together by woven coir netting. They sit along waterways, drains, and slopes to slow water flow and catch sediment before it moves downstream.
Unlike concrete retaining walls or rock gabions, coir logs work with the environment. Water filters through the coconut fibre, loses energy, and drops its sediment load.
Over two to five years, the log biodegrades completely, leaving behind established vegetation that does the same job permanently. The NSW Government lists coir logs as an approved erosion control method for waterway stabilisation.
Once the fibre breaks down, you're left with a root network. That's the whole point. The log is temporary scaffolding for permanent vegetation.
Picking the right diameter matters more than most people think. Too small and it won't handle the water volume. Too big and you've spent money you didn't need to.
| Size | Best for | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 150mm x 3m | Light flow, garden swales | Garden beds, residential slopes, small drains |
| 200mm x 2m | Medium flow, tight spaces | Short drain runs, retaining wall bases |
| 200mm x 3m | Medium flow, general use | Creek banks, construction site drains, swales |
| 300mm x 3m | Heavy flow, high sediment | Major waterways, steep slopes, high-velocity drains |
For most residential and light commercial jobs, the 200mm x 3m coir log hits the sweet spot. If you're working on a council revegetation project or a construction site with serious water flow, step up to the 300mm x 3m.
Garden swales and small residential slopes? The 150mm x 3m coir log handles those without overbuilding.
Get this right the first time and you won't be back after the next storm. Cutting corners on anchoring is the number one reason coir logs fail.
Before you start: Have your logs, stakes, pins, spade, and a sledgehammer on site. Measure your total run length and add 10% for overlaps between logs.
Dig a shallow channel roughly one-third the depth of the log's diameter. For a 200mm log, that's about 65mm deep. The log should sit snugly with the top two-thirds above ground level.
Run the trench perpendicular to the water flow direction. On slopes, install logs along the contour. In drains, install across the flow path.
Lay the coir log into the trench and drive hardwood stakes on both sides, spaced about 1 metre apart. Use 50 x 50mm hardwood stakes at minimum.
For high-flow areas, use 50 x 50 x 900mm stakes driven deep enough that only 100-150mm sits above the log. If logs butt end-to-end, overlap the netting by 100-200mm and pin through the overlap with steel fastening pins.
Water finds gaps. Don't leave any.
Push soil against the upstream face of the log to seal the base. Water should flow through the log, not under it.
Plant native seedlings directly into the coir log and the soil behind it. Lomandra, dianella, and carex species work well in NSW conditions. Within 12-18 months, roots bind the whole area together.
Coir logs handle a wider range of jobs than most people expect. Here are the most common applications across Australia.
For larger projects, combine coir logs with coir matting on the slope face between logs. The matting protects exposed soil while seed germinates, and both products break down on the same timeline.
Before you start, make sure you have everything on site. Nothing worse than driving stakes and realising you're three logs short.
All Stake Supply stocks everything on this list at the St Marys NSW warehouse. One order, one delivery, no waiting on separate suppliers to get your site moving.
Most coir log failures come down to installation, not the product. Here's what goes wrong.
Get the anchoring and planting right, and coir logs are about as reliable as erosion control gets.
Coir logs typically last two to five years, depending on how wet the environment is. In permanently submerged positions like creek banks, expect closer to two years. In drier positions like garden terraces, they can last four to five years before the fibre fully breaks down.
That's by design. By the time the coconut fibre degrades, the root systems you planted should be holding the soil on their own. If the vegetation is healthy, you won't even notice the log has gone.
The Australian Department of the Environment recommends biodegradable erosion control products for revegetation projects because they leave no synthetic waste behind. For sites where you need both immediate protection and long-term stability, pair coir logs with jute matting on the slope between them.
The jute breaks down in 12-18 months, right as the grass underneath takes over.
All Stake Supply has been supplying environmental terrain solutions since 1976. Family-owned, 1,000+ products in stock, and complete delivery guaranteed from the St Marys NSW warehouse.
Coir logs work because they're simple: slow the water, catch the sediment, let plants take over. Pick the right size for your flow, anchor them properly, and plant behind them.
Browse the full erosion control range at All Stake Supply or contact the team for trade pricing and bulk orders.
