Although it may be an often-overlooked duty when preparing a site for development, construction or renovation, setting up your erosion control measures is extremely important, with many local councils enforcing it in order to reduce pollution and protect the environment. But there are many different ways that you can implement erosion control, with each method varying in its effectiveness.
We've put together some proven methods that you can use to make your site environmentally friendly. These solutions range from sediment barriers to natural fibre products for erosion control that integrate seamlessly with the landscape.
Before implementing any erosion control strategy, you need to understand what you're dealing with on your specific site. Different sites present unique challenges based on soil type, slope gradient, rainfall exposure and proximity to waterways.
Construction sites are particularly vulnerable to erosion because vegetation has been removed and soil has been disturbed. When rain hits exposed soil, it can wash sediment directly into stormwater drains, creeks and rivers, causing serious environmental damage.
Common erosion problems on Australian construction sites include:
Understanding these challenges helps you select the most appropriate erosion control products for your situation. A comprehensive approach often combines multiple methods to address different problem areas across the site. For a deeper look at how erosion affects the Australian landscape, read about the types of erosion impacting Australia and why each requires a different control strategy.
With new homes and new roads popping up all over Sydney, there is a lot of pollution coming from those new housing estates. For those who work on those sites, the ability to control the flow of pollution from erosion is lost as soon as the sediment meets the drain, where it makes its way back into Sydney's waterways.
One way to prevent this from happening is to place geotextile barriers before any drain openings, which creates a barrier between any liquid-borne pollution and the drain opening. Geotextile barriers are made out of polypropylene fibre, which is designed to filter out any pollution from the water it's being held in.
As a result, geotextile barriers are a perfect way to reduce pollution without inundating the roads with water. They allow clean water to pass through while trapping sediment and other pollutants before they enter the stormwater system.
Silt fences are another highly effective sediment barrier option for construction sites. This standard green silt fence roll works brilliantly along the perimeter of disturbed areas because it creates a permeable barrier that slows water flow and captures suspended sediment before it leaves the site. For step-by-step guidance, our guide on how to install silt fence correctly covers everything from trenching depth to post spacing.
Key considerations when installing sediment barriers include:
If you're looking to control erosion in a less built-up environment, such as wetlands or a riverbank, you'll need a solution that is not only effective, but also environmentally friendly. In this case, coir logs are the perfect product.
Coir logs are designed to fill in the gaps in erosion control that would normally be filled by vegetation. They provide immediate stabilisation while native plants establish themselves in and around the logs.
Coir logs are made entirely from coconut fibres, meaning that they can blend in with their surroundings and provide structure to any plant life that ends up growing around them. Unlike synthetic products, coir logs are completely biodegradable and break down over several years, leaving no waste behind.
Coir logs also have very few installation and maintenance requirements. Just place them where they need to go, and they'll do the rest.
Different sizes suit different applications. A 300mm coir log provides excellent protection for creek banks and drainage channels because its substantial diameter creates a robust barrier against moderate to high water flow while supporting vegetation establishment.
Common uses for coir logs across various site conditions:
Like coir logs, coir matting is made entirely from coconut fibre, which means that it's perfect if you need to implement any erosion control measures within a natural environment. But unlike coir logs, coir matting is designed to control erosion over a much larger area by adding strength to the ground it's placed on.
As well as providing strength to its surroundings, coir matting also encourages plant growth and provides the earth with some resistance against temperature extremes and wind. The open weave structure allows seeds to germinate through the matting while protecting soil from raindrop impact.
This 900gsm coir matting roll is ideal for steeper slopes and high-traffic areas because the heavier weight provides superior durability and longer service life compared to lighter alternatives.
Jute matting offers similar benefits with a slightly different performance profile. Jute breaks down faster than coir, making it perfect for temporary protection on sites where vegetation will establish quickly. For a detailed walkthrough, see our guide on how to install jute matting for proper anchoring and overlap technique.
The 750gsm thick jute roll works particularly well on moderate slopes where you need reliable protection for 12 to 18 months while grass or groundcover becomes established.
Choosing between different matting options depends on several factors:
Erosion control and stormwater management work hand in hand. Diverting clean stormwater away from disturbed areas reduces the volume of water flowing across exposed soil, which significantly lowers erosion risk.
Inlet protection is one of the most critical measures on any construction site. Every storm drain opening within or downstream of the work zone needs a sediment filter to prevent contaminated runoff from entering the public stormwater network. Options include geotextile wraps around inlet grates, sandbag surrounds and purpose-built filter socks.
Other effective stormwater controls include:
Installing your final stormwater drainage system as early as possible during the build reduces reliance on temporary measures and lowers your ongoing maintenance burden.
In New South Wales, erosion and sediment control on construction sites is a legal requirement. Under Section 120 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, it is an offence to pollute waters. If sediment from your site enters stormwater drains or waterways, you may face penalties.
Most development consents in NSW now require an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP) to be prepared before work begins. For sites under 2,500 square metres, the NSW Guidelines for Erosion and Sediment Control on Building Sites provide the standard framework. Larger sites must follow the "Blue Book" (Managing Urban Stormwater: Soils and Construction, 4th edition).
Key compliance points include:
Meeting these requirements protects both the environment and your project from costly delays and fines.
Proper installation is just as important as choosing the right landscaping supplies for your project. Even the best erosion control materials will fail if they're not installed correctly.
Always start erosion control work at the top of slopes and work your way down. This prevents disturbed areas above from undermining your work below.
For matting installation, ensure good contact between the mat and soil surface. Any air gaps will allow water to flow underneath, causing the matting to lift and potentially wash away.
Secure matting with appropriate stakes or pins at recommended spacings. Typically, you'll need pins every 300-500mm along edges and every square metre across the mat surface.
Overlap adjacent rolls by at least 100-150mm to prevent gaps. Stagger joints in successive rows to avoid creating continuous seams where water can concentrate.
When working with coir or jute logs, bury one-third to one-half of the log diameter into the soil. This anchors the log properly and prevents water from undercutting it.
For detailed guidance on using jute mesh products to protect slopes and channels, see our resource on how to use jute mesh for erosion control.
Installation checklist for successful erosion control:
Erosion control isn't a one-time installation job. Regular maintenance ensures your systems continue working effectively throughout the project lifecycle.
Inspect all erosion control measures after every significant rainfall event. Look for signs of undercutting, displaced materials, or sediment buildup that reduces effectiveness.
Remove accumulated sediment from silt fences and barriers before it reaches capacity. When sediment builds up too much, water can overflow the barrier, defeating its purpose.
Check that matting remains in good contact with the soil. Repair any lifted sections immediately by adding additional pins or stakes.
Monitor vegetation establishment under and around natural fibre products. If plant growth is poor, consider whether additional seeding or fertiliser application is needed.
Keep records of all inspections and maintenance activities. This documentation proves compliance with council requirements and helps identify recurring problem areas.
If done properly, your erosion control measures should make your site both environmentally friendly and council-friendly. The investment in quality products and proper installation pays off through reduced cleanup costs, avoided fines and protection of surrounding ecosystems.
In NSW, most development consents require an ESCP before earthworks begin. Even on smaller residential sites, councils typically require at least basic sediment controls such as silt fences around disturbed areas and inlet protection on nearby stormwater drains.
For slopes steeper than 1:3 (V:H), use heavy-weight coir matting (900gsm) pinned at close spacings. Combine this with coir logs installed horizontally across the slope face as slope breaks to slow runoff velocity. Hydroseeding under the matting accelerates vegetation establishment.
Coir matting provides effective erosion protection for 4 to 6 years depending on weight and site conditions. Lighter 400gsm rolls suit sites where vegetation establishes within 12 months, while 900gsm matting is designed for longer-term protection on steeper or more exposed slopes.
Erosion control prevents soil from being dislodged in the first place (matting, vegetation, mulch). Sediment control captures soil particles that have already been mobilised before they leave the site (silt fences, sediment basins, inlet filters). A complete site plan uses both.
Install erosion and sediment controls before any vegetation clearing or earthworks begin. Under NSW guidelines, inactive disturbed areas must be stabilised within 14 days. Planning your controls during the pre-construction phase avoids scrambling after a surprise rainfall event.
Inspect silt fences after every rainfall event greater than 10mm, and at least weekly during dry periods. Remove accumulated sediment when it reaches one-third of the fence height to maintain filtration capacity.
For most creek bank applications, a 200mm or 300mm diameter coir log is appropriate. Use 300mm logs where water velocities are moderate to high, and 150mm logs for smaller drainage lines or low-flow channels. Stake logs securely with hardwood pegs driven through the log and into the bank.
Yes. Coir logs must be staked with timber or steel pegs to prevent displacement during high water events. Drive pegs through the log at 1 to 1.5 metre intervals, burying one-third to one-half of the log diameter below the soil surface for additional anchorage.
Yes, but you need heavier matting (900gsm coir minimum) and closer pin spacings (300mm along edges, 500mm across the face). On very steep slopes exceeding 1:2, consider combining matting with horizontal coir log slope breaks and engineered retention systems.
If you need effective erosion control solutions, talk to All Stake Supply. We're amongst Sydney's leaders in erosion control, and our family-owned warehouse in St Marys NSW has been stocking over 1,000 products since 1976. Give us a call on 1300 130 123 today.
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