Replacing a Fence That Backs on to Farmland - NSW

firebucket on 25/02/2023 - 07:57
Last edited 25/02/2023 - 10:57 by 1 other user

Our northern NSW residential property backs onto farmland, but otherwise have standard residential blocks all around us.
There is currently a very old dilapidated barbed - wire fence along that particular boundary. The farmer does not have any animals.

We would like to have the fence replaced with something like Colorbond for privacy. Is the farmer responsible to contribute towards the replacement of the fence? There are quite a few other residential houses which back onto this farm so it would seem somewhat unreasonable for him to be responsible for half of all that fencing.

Thanks for any advice.

Home & Garden Fence

Comments

  • Nugs on 25/02/2023 - 08:53

    Is your plot part of a subdivision of an old farm? Urban sprawl at play?
    .

  • Muzeeb on 25/02/2023 - 09:01
    +3

    backs onto farmland,

    colourbond for privacy

    Privacy from what? Is the farmers house nearby? Does a tractor going past 2 times a year disturb your privacy?

    If the farmer grows crops it can be nice to watch them grow and develop with an ever-changing view.

    • pegaxs on 25/02/2023 - 09:17
      +3

      This is what I was thinking… Dirty kangaroos trying to cop a squiz at OP’s naughty bits.

      Looking out the back of the house over farm land.. or at a colourbond fence.

  • AngoraFish on 25/02/2023 - 09:20
    +8

    The fence is only required to match the minimum reasonable standard for the situation. Any additional costs are borne by the lot owner who wants the higher standard/cost fence.

    Where there is an existing fence this will 99 times out of 100 be the only standard that the adjacent lot owner is required to contribute to. So, in this case, the farmer's contribution would be half the replacement cost of a typical rural-style post and wire fence, and quite likely nothing if the fence is not actually falling down and/or could be repaired by the farmer with a bit of new wire.

    For these sorts of situations it's typically not worth the effort trying to scrounge up a few pennies from the neighbour. Just build the fence you want at your expense and move on.

  • oscargamer on 25/02/2023 - 09:33

    Realistically, if you want a post and wire fence, ask the farmer, he'll do it for a slab. If you want more, it's on you

  • morse on 25/02/2023 - 09:54
    +1

    If you want something other than a wire fence talk to the other neighbours and see if they want to do something with you. You can probably get a small amount from the farmer if there is something defective with the existing fence but in this instance to be a decent person I wouldn’t. Depending on your needs (animals? children?) consider growing a hedge (eg lilypily) in front of the barb wire fence instead- it would be much more aesthetic than colorbond, let breeze through, attract birds etc.

  • silenthillrocks on 25/02/2023 - 11:10
    +4

    A farmer is not going to need a colorbond fence so you'll most likely have to fork out the costs

  • bmxr on 25/02/2023 - 11:18
    +2

    Check the Development Control Plan relevant to your lot. Quite often, a boundary interface with a rural lot will be restricted in the type and materials of the fence.

    One of our boundaries is restricted to a post and rail fence.

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