Short answer: if you are planning a retaining wall on or near a boundary in Geelong, get a land surveyor involved before the design is finished. A retaining wall survey usually combines three things: re-establishing your title boundary so you know exactly where the wall can go, a feature and level survey so the engineer or designer knows the existing ground levels on both sides, and a set-out so the builder pegs the wall in the right place. Getting this right at the start helps avoid a wall built on the neighbour’s land, at the wrong height, or in conflict with an easement.

Retaining walls are common across the Geelong region, from sloping blocks in Highton and Belmont to cut-and-fill house sites on the Bellarine and the Surf Coast. This guide explains where a land surveyor fits in, what approvals you may need to think about and how to plan a wall near your boundary with fewer surprises.

Why the boundary matters for a retaining wall

A retaining wall holds back soil where the ground level changes. Near a boundary that change in level often affects two properties, so the exact position of the wall matters. Many people assume the existing fence marks the boundary, but fences are often a little off the true title line, especially on older lots. A wall built along a fence that is in the wrong spot can end up partly on the neighbour’s land, which can be expensive and stressful to fix.

Under the Surveying Act 2004 (Vic), only a licensed surveyor can define a title boundary. A re-establishment survey locates the title boundaries and places marks or pegs on the ground, so you, your designer and your builder are all working from the same line.

What a land surveyor does on a retaining wall project

1. Re-establish the title boundary

The surveyor researches the title and the original survey plans, measures the existing survey marks, fences and buildings, and works out where the boundary actually is. The boundary is then marked on site so you can see how much room you have for the wall, its footings and any drainage behind it.

2. Survey the existing levels

A feature and level survey records ground levels across the site and along the boundary, plus features such as fences, existing walls, trees, driveways, pits and visible services. Levels can be related to the Australian Height Datum (AHD) where that is needed. This information lets an engineer or designer work out the height of the wall, the footing design and how water will drain.

3. Set out the wall before construction

Once the design is approved, the surveyor can peg the line of the wall and give the builder offsets and heights from the plans. This is the same kind of work as a building set-out, applied to the wall, so it is built where the drawings say it should be.

4. Check the finished position if needed

For walls very close to a boundary, some owners ask for a check after construction to confirm the wall sits on their side of the title line. That record can be useful later, for example when the property is sold.

Permits and approvals to think about

A land surveyor does not issue permits. Building permits are issued by a registered building surveyor, and planning permits by your council, such as the City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire or the Borough of Queenscliffe. Your survey information is often part of what they need to see. Some general points to discuss with them:

Building permits

Under Schedule 3 of the Building Regulations 2018 (Vic), a retaining wall less than 1 m high is generally exempt from needing a building permit, but only if it is not associated with other building work and is not protecting adjoining property. Many boundary walls fall outside that exemption, for example where the wall supports the neighbour’s land or sits beside a driveway or building. Always confirm with a registered building surveyor before you start.

Protecting the neighbour’s property

Where building work, such as an excavation next to a boundary, could put an adjoining property at risk of significant damage, the Building Act 1993 (Vic) has a protection work process. The relevant building surveyor decides whether protection work is required, and if it is, the adjoining owner must be given notice and consulted. Retaining walls are one of the common types of protection work. Accurate boundary and level information helps everyone understand what is proposed.

Planning controls and easements

Overlays, vegetation controls or other planning requirements can affect earthworks and walls on some sites, so it is worth checking with your council early. If an easement runs along your boundary, a wall or its footings may not be allowed over it without the consent of the authority or person who benefits from it. Our guide to easement surveys in Geelong explains how easements are shown on title and located on the ground.

Retaining walls on sloping blocks around Geelong

Hilly suburbs and coastal blocks often need cut and fill to create a level house pad, a driveway or a usable backyard. The higher the change in level, the more important accurate levels become. Small errors in levels can change the height of a wall, the size of the footings or the fall of a driveway. Sandy soils on parts of the coast and clay soils inland can also affect drainage and design, which is a question for your engineer, but they need reliable survey data to start from.

Tips before you build a boundary retaining wall

• Do not rely on the fence line as the boundary. Get the title boundary re-established if the wall will be close to it.
• Get levels on both sides of the boundary where you can, so the design reflects the real ground.
• Check your title for easements and covenants before the design is finished.
• Talk to your neighbour early. A shared understanding of where the boundary is makes conversations easier. If a fence also needs replacing, our guide to fence boundary surveys may help.
• Ask your builder to work from surveyed pegs rather than tape measurements off an old fence.

Remember that a land surveyor is not a building surveyor. We measure land, define boundaries and provide levels and set-out. The building surveyor and engineer look after building approval and structural design.

Get a retaining wall survey quote in Geelong

Geelong Land Surveyors works across Geelong and the surrounding region, including Belmont, Highton, Lara, Drysdale, Ocean Grove, Torquay and Ballarat. To get a quote, send us your details on the contact page or call 0412 722 261. Tell us the property address, where the wall will go and whether you have plans yet, and we will recommend the right mix of boundary, level and set-out work.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a survey before building a retaining wall near my boundary?

It is strongly recommended. A re-establishment survey shows where the title boundary is, and a feature and level survey gives your designer the existing levels. Together they help make sure the wall is on your land and designed for the real ground conditions.

Do I need a building permit for a retaining wall in Victoria?

Under the Building Regulations 2018, a retaining wall under 1 m high is generally exempt only if it is not associated with other building work and is not protecting adjoining property. Many boundary walls do not meet that exemption, so check with a registered building surveyor before you start.

Can a land surveyor tell me if an existing retaining wall is on the boundary?

Yes. A re-establishment survey measures the title boundary and existing structures, so the surveyor can show where an existing wall sits in relation to the boundary.

What survey information does an engineer need to design a retaining wall?

Usually the boundary position, existing ground levels on both sides of the wall line, nearby structures, trees, driveways and services. A feature and level survey with the boundaries shown provides this in one plan.