Before the digging starts
Three things to sort out before an excavator arrives.
Find out what's underground
Lodge a free enquiry with Before You Dig Australia. Utility owners send plans of their pipes and cables near your site. Getting plans back is not permission to dig, so your contractor still needs to locate services on site.
Retaining walls may need approval
Many Queensland councils require building approval for a retaining wall unless it is under 1 metre high, more than 1.5 metres from a building or another retaining wall, and holds up only soil, along with other conditions. That is Gold Coast City Council's list; check with your own council or a private building certifier before you build.
Watch for protected trees
Some councils protect a tree's root zone as well as its trunk and canopy. In Brisbane, excavation or fill near protected vegetation, such as for a retaining wall, can need a permit, and penalties apply without one. Ask your council if there are large trees near the work.
Choosing a contractor
Get a written quote that says what's included, such as removing spoil. Check the business's ABN on ABN Lookup, and ask for proof of public liability insurance.
Official sources
- Before You Dig Australia
- Gold Coast City Council: retaining walls
- Brisbane City Council: types of protected vegetation
- ABN Lookup
General information only, not legal, financial or building advice. Checked against these sources in November 2026; rules change, so check the source before you rely on it.