Paving work in West Swan, about 12 km from Landsdale
West Swan is one of the smaller places we cover, but its rural lots mean large paved areas. IBP Paving is about 12 km away in Landsdale and includes the suburb in its normal area. Typical requests are long paved driveways on acreage, areas around homes and sheds, and hardstand and paths for wineries and hospitality venues along West Swan Road. Because the ground here is likely to be heavier than in most of our suburbs, drainage is planned before the paving. Every job comes with a lifetime workmanship warranty and over 20 years of hands on experience.
Clay on the west bank of the Swan
West Swan lies on the western side of the Swan River, and its soils are thought to be mostly Guildford Formation clay and river alluvium rather than the sand found closer to Landsdale. Clay takes water slowly and changes volume between wet winters and dry summers. On the river flats the water table is likely to be shallow as well.
For paving, that means digging deeper, using a thicker compacted base to spread loads, and setting firm falls so water runs off rather than sitting on the surface and soaking in. Driveways that carry trucks, tractors or delivery vans get extra base depth again. The river corridor and some rural lots may also carry bushfire exposure, and a band of paving around a house or shed gives a non combustible surround.
When a soakwell is the wrong answer
The City of Swan requires on site stormwater to be collected and then either piped to the City's system or held on the lot in soakwells or similar approved retention. In much of Perth, soakwells are the obvious choice. In West Swan they need more thought.
The City's soakwell guide, Volume (m3) = 0.0122 x impervious area (m2), is stated as based on sandy soil of high permeability. Capacity is reduced where groundwater rises above the soakwell base, in which case soakwells may not be suitable, and subsoil drains are required where maximum groundwater is less than 1.2 m below lot level. No stormwater may be discharged over the crossover or verge onto the road.
Source: City of Swan, Property Development Design Guidelines, Specification D12 (August 2016); Handbook of Stormwater Drainage Design (April 2022).
On a clay lot we test infiltration before recommending anything. If the ground drains, soakwells go in at least 1.8 m from footings and boundaries. If it does not, we design grated drains and pipework to an approved connection. The City of Swan soakwell rules page has the full list.
Long driveways, winery hardstand and rural crossovers
West Swan had 786 residents in 2021 and is largely rural, so a typical driveway here is long and has to handle heavier vehicles than a suburban one. Wineries and venues need trafficable paving for visitors and deliveries, which is where commercial paving on a heavy base comes in, while natural stone suits terraces and entries where guests gather.
Where vans, trucks or farm machinery turn on the paving, the laying pattern matters as much as the paver. A herringbone bond locks pavers together so they resist the twisting load of a turning wheel, and it is our usual choice for working driveways and service yards. Edges get a concrete haunch so the outer rows cannot creep into the soft clay shoulder.
At the road, the City recommends two coat bitumen for rural crossovers. If you prefer brick or concrete, it must stop at least 1.0 m from the road shoulder, with a 30 mm hotmix asphalt strip in between. The verge itself is limited: paving there needs written permission through an Application to Alter Verge, and asphalt, bitumen, concrete, loose aggregate and structures are not allowed.
Source: City of Swan, Specification for the Construction of Vehicle Crossovers (February 2022); Verge Guidelines; Application to Alter Verge.
From wartime airfield to motor racing circuit
West Swan has an unexpected place in Australian motor sport. Caversham Airfield was built here in 1943 and is now the Middle Swan Airfield military facility. The site later became a racing circuit that hosted two Australian Grand Prix and ran the Six Hour Le Mans from 1955 to 1968.
Neighbours along the river
Caversham, Henley Brook, Brabham, Dayton and Herne Hill are nearby, with Middle Swan across the river. All are listed on areas we service.
