Soil erosion can cause serious damage to properties, natural habitats and water sources. It can result in soil loss, decreased water quality and even flooding.
There are many ways to control soil erosion and stabilise soil, including the use of erosion control products such as jute matting, coir logs and natural fibre barriers. Understanding which products work best for your specific conditions will help you protect your land and promote healthy vegetation growth.
Soil erosion occurs when topsoil is displaced by wind, water or human activity. The consequences extend far beyond just losing dirt from your property.
Erosion takes several forms in Australian conditions. Water erosion is the most common and includes sheet erosion (thin layers washed across a surface), rill erosion (small channels cut by concentrated runoff) and gully erosion (deep channels that widen over time). Wind erosion strips exposed topsoil in dry, open regions.
Erosion affects water quality by allowing sediment and pollutants to wash into waterways. It reduces land productivity by removing nutrient-rich topsoil that plants need to thrive.
Common causes of erosion in Australian landscapes include heavy rainfall, sloped terrain, bare soil without vegetation cover, and poor drainage systems. The NSW Government's erosion management resources outline methods suited to different conditions. Identifying the specific erosion risks on your property is the first step toward choosing the right stabilisation method.
Jute matting is a natural ground stabilisation mat for erosion control. Made from 100% biodegradable jute fibres, it works alongside coconut fibre products as a protective barrier that holds soil in place.
It also aids vegetation growth, enriching the soil with organic matter as it breaks down while your planted vegetation establishes.
Different weights of jute matting suit different applications and flow conditions:
For standard residential slopes and garden beds, this 620gsm matting roll offers reliable protection while allowing newly planted vegetation to establish roots through the natural fibres. When you're dealing with steeper gradients or areas with moderate water flow, the heavier 750gsm option provides extra durability without compromising biodegradability.
Jute matting is also an organic geotextile, which aids in weed suppression and erosion control. It requires no special equipment to install and breaks down naturally over time.
Proper soil preparation is essential before installing jute matting. Remove any debris or large rocks, till the soil to loosen it, and grade to the desired slope.
Unroll the matting and anchor it using stakes or staples. Once in place, plant native grasses or other vegetation through the matting to anchor it further and promote soil stability.
Follow these key installation steps for best results:
If you're working with individual trees or garden plants rather than broad-area seeding, the slitted 620gsm version makes planting much simpler as the pre-cut openings save time while still providing comprehensive erosion control between plants.
Coir products made from coconut husk fibres offer greater durability and longevity than jute. Coir matting and logs are ideal for high-flow areas, waterway edges and severe erosion sites.
Coir fibres resist decomposition longer than jute, typically lasting 3-5 years depending on conditions. This extended lifespan gives vegetation more time to establish deep root systems that permanently stabilise the soil.
Coir matting comes in different densities to match erosion severity:
For creek banks, drainage channels and areas with consistent water flow, a 200mm coir log traps sediment and slows water velocity while vegetation establishes. Councils and contractors across Sydney and regional NSW regularly use coir logs for erosion control on waterway restoration projects.
Sandbags are an effective temporary solution for soil stabilisation and flood protection. They create barriers around buildings, driveways and other flood-prone areas while you establish more permanent erosion control measures.
When using sandbags, place them correctly. Lay a row along the area that needs protection, with the open end facing away from the direction of water flow.
Each subsequent row should be staggered, with the ends of the sandbags overlapping to create a continuous barrier. Fill sandbags only about two-thirds full to allow them to mould together and create a tighter seal.
Sandbags can be used alone or in combination with other erosion control products such as jute matting or geotextile fabric. Anchor all materials firmly to prevent them being swept away during heavy flows.
In addition to matting and barriers, promoting vegetation growth is one of the most effective long-term methods for soil stabilisation. Plant root systems act as a natural soil binding solution, physically holding particles together while absorbing excess water that would otherwise cause erosion.
Planting native grasses, shrubs and trees is one of the most reliable long-term approaches to stabilise soil and prevent erosion. Australian native species such as Lomandra longifolia, Dianella and Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) are adapted to local conditions as outlined by Bush Heritage Australia's erosion control guidance, and establish faster with less maintenance than introduced varieties.
Effective vegetation strategies include:
The combination of natural fibre matting and appropriate native vegetation creates a self-reinforcing system. The matting protects vulnerable soil while plants establish, then the mature plants provide permanent stabilisation as the matting biodegrades. Projects like this revegetation effort in Kangaroo Valley show how native plantings paired with erosion control products deliver lasting results.
Slopes and embankments carry the highest erosion risk because gravity accelerates water flow and soil movement. Choosing the right product depends on the gradient, expected water flow and whether the slope is newly cut or already vegetated.
For gentle to moderate slopes (up to about 1:3 gradient), jute matting holds soil while grass and ground covers establish. Steeper slopes need heavier coir matting (900gsm) or a combination of coir logs at the base with matting across the face.
On slopes where sediment traps are needed to catch runoff before it reaches waterways, coir logs positioned across the fall line slow water velocity and capture displaced soil. For large-scale slope projects, pairing matting with silt sausages along the toe of the slope adds an extra sediment barrier.
Selecting the appropriate erosion control products depends on several site-specific factors. Consider the slope gradient, expected water flow, soil type, climate conditions and desired vegetation outcomes.
Here's a quick comparison to guide your decision:
| Condition | Recommended Product | Expected Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Gentle slopes, low flow | 620gsm jute matting | 12-18 months |
| Moderate slopes, medium flow | 750gsm jute or 400gsm coir | 18-24 months (jute), 3-4 years (coir) |
| Steep slopes, high flow | 900gsm coir matting | 4-5 years |
| Waterway edges, channels | Coir logs (150-200mm) | 3-5 years |
| Temporary flood protection | Sandbags | Seasonal to 1 year |
At All Stake Supply, we stock a full range of erosion control and soil stabilisation products including jute matting, coir products and sandbags from our St Marys NSW warehouse. Our team can help you match the right products to your site conditions and advise on installation.
Contact the team today to discuss your erosion control project.
Lay jute or coir matting directly over the exposed soil and anchor it with steel fastening pins. This gives immediate protection while you plant native grasses or ground covers through the matting for long-term stabilisation.
Standard 620gsm jute matting lasts 12 to 18 months before biodegrading, with 750gsm lasting slightly longer. By the time the matting decomposes, your vegetation should be established enough to hold the soil on its own.
Yes. For steep embankments, use heavy-duty coir matting (900gsm) rather than standard jute. Coir resists decomposition for 3 to 5 years, giving vegetation longer to develop deep root systems on steep grades.
Anchor the matting with pins at closer intervals (every 300mm along edges) on steeper sites.
Lomandra longifolia, Dianella species and Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) are among the most effective. They develop dense root systems that bind soil, tolerate a wide range of Australian conditions and need minimal maintenance once established.
No. Remove large rocks and debris, but leave existing grass or ground cover in place.
The matting goes over the top and existing vegetation will grow through it. Removing vegetation first would expose the soil and worsen erosion during establishment.
Coir logs sit along the bank edge or across drainage lines, slowing water velocity and trapping suspended sediment. Over time, sediment builds up behind the log and native plants colonise the area, creating a permanent natural barrier.
