Shared fence with Council-owned land
Under the
Fences Act 1968 and the
Fences Amendment Act 2014, Council is liable to pay half the cost of fencing on land joined by a private owner, where the Council side of the land is a Council owned or managed building.
Is all Council-owned land eligible for this scheme?
Unfortunately, no. If the land is used as a public reserve, including any walkways, road reserves, tree reserves, or a public park, Council is exempt from paying half a fence cost. This is because in these situations, Council is not considered to be an ‘owner’ but a custodian or trustee for the public.
If your property borders this type of land, Council is not required to make a contribution towards the cost of a new fence, fence repairs or removal of graffiti.
Does your property share a fence with Council land?
If you are unsure if you are eligible, please contact us and we can assist.
If you do border a Council-owned property, and your property is eligible for this scheme. You will need to obtain 2 fencing quotes for repairs or replacements of the fence. You can submit these quotes to our Assets team.
New fencing
If your property is requiring new fencing, Council will contribute to half the cost of a standard paling fence, (1.63 metres high). Any additional costs or features to the fence, including Colorbond fencing or higher fences, must be paid by the private owner.
For non-standard fences, please ensure that the quote additionally includes the cost of a standard paling fence.
What happens next?
We will consider the submitted quotes and carry out an inspection prior to any works. We will also contact the property owner and fencing contractor to arrange works. Following completion, we will inspect the final product for compliance.
I don't know my neighbour, how do I get their contact details about a shared fence?
If you require ownership information of a neighbouring property that is privately owned, please complete our application form(DOC, 52KB)
You can email, mail or hand this form into a Council office. Find out our contact details.
How long does it take for the Half Cost Fencing application to be processed?
The process can take up to 5 working days.
Is there a fee for a Half Cost Fencing application?
No, there is no application fee.
Do I need a building permit for my Half Cost Fencing application?
A building permit is only required if the fence height will be 2 metres or above.