Retaining Walls in Kaleen

A name that means water

Wikipedia says Kaleen is a suburb in the Belconnen district of Canberra, and that its name comes from the word for water in the language of the Wiradjuri people of the central west of New South Wales. It was gazetted on 15 January 1974 and the streets are named after Australian rivers. For a retaining wall that is a fitting thread to pull on, since the thing most likely to move a wall is water behind it.

Neighbours and borders

The article says Kaleen is next to Lyneham, Giralang, Lawson and Bruce, and is bordered by Baldwin Drive and Ginninderra Drive. It lists four ovals, Kaleen North, Kaleen Enclosed, Kaleen District Playing Fields and Kaleen South, and says there are two small shopping centres on Maribyrnong Avenue and a larger one near the Giralang border on Georgina Crescent. The main bicycle path passes under Ginninderra Drive and runs north to south through the middle of the suburb.

Two kinds of rock

The geology section says Silurian Canberra Formation calcareous shale lies in the east of Kaleen and Ordovician Pittman Formation greywacke lies in the west. It says the Gungahlin Fault separates the two sediments, with the older greywacke uplifted, and that the Winslade Fault also runs to the east. Shale and greywacke weather differently, so a wall in the west and one in the east may need different footing and drainage detail. We cannot say which suits your block.

Plantations and paddocks

Wikipedia says the Lyneham Ridge eucalypt plantation and a horse holding paddock lie on the east side of the suburb, and that the 2XX transmitting station sits near the Barton Highway. We note them as local features only. Trees near a wall matter because roots can push on a wall and tree rules may apply. ACT Planning's exemption pages list tree and heritage criteria, so check them if a tree sits near your wall line.

Block walls and boundaries

Yakka Labour gives $450 to $850 per square metre for segmental blocks and $550 to $1,000 for core-filled block. ACT Planning says a retaining wall does not need a building approval if it is not higher than 1.2 metres, and it gives 0.4 metres as the limit for parts within 1.5 metres of a side or rear boundary on its development page. Before You Dig Australia gives asset plans on request.

Where to start

For a rendered or segmental wall, read our block wall guide. For a feature wall in stone or boulders, read the natural stone guide.

What does Kaleen mean?

Wikipedia says the name comes from the word for water in the Wiradjuri language.

What rock is under Kaleen?

Wikipedia says calcareous shale lies in the east and greywacke in the west. It is general information, not a site assessment.

Do trees near a wall matter?

ACT Planning's exemption rules include tree and heritage criteria. Check the pages and ask each builder about roots near your wall line.