Retaining walls in Perth hold back sloping ground, and the right wall depends on its height, the soil behind it and how the water will drain. Tamala Sands, which are only weakly cemented near the surface, occur widely across the Perth Coastal Plain, and parts of the hills have reactive clay.
A wall is often part of a wider residential landscaping Perth project, or a border for a paving and garden paths area.
Our retaining wall options
Limestone block walls
For a limestone block wall about 1 metre high, a Perth retaining wall price guide (What’s The Damage, prices checked October 2026) gives a typical cost of $440 per lineal metre, within a range of $295 to $630. Those are industry figures, not a quote. Every job is different, so call us for a price on your block.
Concrete sleeper walls
The same guide gives a 1 metre concrete sleeper wall a typical cost of $470 per lineal metre, within a range of $315 to $630. At 1.5 metres the typical figure rises to $630, within a range of $420 to $1,000.
Panel-and-post walls
These use concrete panels set between two concrete posts. Team Work Fencing, a Perth supplier, says it installs them at heights up to 1.2 metres, and warns that the panels are heavy and can chip or crack if mishandled. Its claim that they are usually cheaper than limestone or brick is the supplier’s own.
Drainage comes before the wall
The City of Kalamunda says areas with reactive clay soils need sub soil drains built along with the wall. The Perth price guide puts drainage behind a wall at a typical $52 per lineal metre, within a range of $32 to $84.
Woodward’s 2003 paper warns against relying on the weak cementing of Tamala Sands, so a wall on sand should be designed for its load.
When you need council approval in WA
The City of Kalamunda requires a building permit for a retaining wall 500 mm and over, when a wall is added to an existing wall, when tiered walls total 500 mm or more, and where a structural engineer must sign off. Development approval is also needed where a wall exceeds 500 mm and does not meet Residential Design Codes clause 5.3.7, or sits within the front setback.
The City of Cockburn counts any embedment in the 500 mm height, and says a permit is needed where a wall is associated with other building work, whatever its height. The City of Belmont and the Town of Toodyay also use 500 mm. Toodyay says planning approval may also be required, and it must be approved before a building permit is lodged. Check the wording with your council before you dig.
Repairs
If a wall is leaning, cracking or holding back water, have it checked before the next wet season. Adding to an existing wall needs a permit under Kalamunda’s rules, so check with council first. If you want us to look at a wall on your property, call us and we will quote it on site.
Suburbs we serve
Maida Vale, Kalamunda, Forrestfield, High Wycombe, Lesmurdie, Gooseberry Hill, Mundaring, Midland, Guildford, Bassendean and across the Perth metro area.
Where we work: landscaping Maida Vale, Kalamunda, Forrestfield, Midland, Mundaring and Claremont and the western suburbs.
Read more: retaining wall ideas, retaining wall cost and the WA retaining walls and paving guide.
Get a free quote
We provide a free comprehensive quote for retaining walls. Call us on 0429 922 446, or get a free quote online. Our garden maintenance Perth service covers the garden around a wall.
Frequently asked questions
Which retaining wall is cheapest in Perth, limestone or concrete sleeper?
On typical figures from the Perth price guide, limestone block is slightly cheaper at $440 per lineal metre, against $470 for concrete sleeper. The ranges overlap, so height, access and footings decide the real price.
How long do sleeper retaining walls last?
It depends on the materials, the footings, the drainage and the soil behind the wall, and the sources we checked do not give a single lifespan figure. We would rather not guess. Call us and we will look at your site and talk you through the options.
Do I need council approval for a retaining wall in WA over 500 mm?
Usually yes. The City of Kalamunda requires a building permit for a retaining wall 500 mm and over, with an engineer’s sign-off at that height. Development approval may also apply in the front setback or where the wall does not meet the Residential Design Codes.
What drainage does a retaining wall need?
The Perth price guide puts drainage behind a wall at a typical $52 per lineal metre, and the City of Kalamunda says reactive clay areas need sub soil drains. What your wall needs depends on the soil and the slope, so we assess it when we quote on site.
Who pays for a retaining wall on a shared boundary?
The City of Kalamunda treats the cost as a civil matter. Where both owners changed the ground level, it encourages a proportional agreement, and suggests legal advice if they cannot agree.