Retaining Wall Replacement in Gosford and across the Central Coast

What retaining wall replacement in Gosford and across the Central Coast actually involves

Over A$5,000 the contractor needs a licence. If the replacement wall is over 600 mm, it needs the same engineer certification as new work: structurally sound against lateral soil load, with drainage that does not redirect water onto a neighbour, or designed by a professional engineer under Council's plan.

A wall near a sewer main

If the failing wall sits within a sewer main's zone of influence, the area where a structure could load onto the pipe or nearby excavation could damage it, its replacement must be certified by a practising engineer as self-supporting. That line is from Council's June 2014 guide for the former Gosford City Council.

Doing it yourself

An owner-builder permit is needed once the job is valued at over A$10,000, where it also needs a development application or complying development certificate; above A$20,000 you also need the relevant competency units or an equivalent qualification. The main page covers the rest of the exempt and complying lines.

A wall that has moved once has usually moved because of water behind it, so the drainage page is the one to read before the new wall is designed.

Retaining Wall Replacement in Gosford and across the Central Coast — common questions

Is a replacement wall treated as new work?

For the rules that bind it, yes: repairing a wall built for a house is residential building work, and the same licence line, exempt limits and engineer rules apply.

Does a replacement over 600 mm need an engineer?

Yes: certified as structurally sound under the Housing Code, or designed by a professional engineer under Council's plan within 1 m of a boundary or over 1 m anywhere else.

Can I replace it myself?

As an owner-builder, with a permit once the job is over A$10,000 and also needs a development application or complying development certificate.