Fence Suggestions Please

Lsar1978 on 26/02/2024 - 09:30
Last edited 26/02/2024 - 12:40 by 1 other user

Morning everyone, I was hoping someone may be able to help me and give some advice.

We have completed a renovation in our backyard. (garage knocked down and granny flat built) Our house was very old. Our pool fence was compliant from when the pool was put in back in 2009 but since we have interfered with the area it now needs to be brought up to 2024 standards.

We have completely run out of money as the renovation has blown out double to what we thought. We just had someone come out and quote for an aluminium fence and it has come back $6k. It is the boundary fence just for the pool area (approx. 12 meters). To add another pain into it because of the waterfall and the brick wall the fence must start at the top of the brick wall and go 1.8m.

Could anyone suggest any cheap solutions that we get through sign off? Could we cover it with plywood at the correct height?

I am a novice at this but need some ideas. The stress and financial strain have put me on the edge. Also is there anyway I can post a pic to show what I am talking about.

Thanks for all your help. Have a good day.

Sarah

Home & Garden Fence

Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 26/02/2024 - 09:54
    +1

    lso is there anyway I can post a pic to show what i am talking about

    go to top nav bar
    my account
    go to files
    go to upload your picture (and or mspaint diagram)
    copy the link and paste here

    alternatively you could also use imgur or similar hosting service then copy the link back here.

    also what about looking at hiring some temp pool fencing from say kennards?

  • AngoraFish on 26/02/2024 - 10:22
    +4

    Honestly, I can't see any easy way around your problem. A photo would certainly help, but either way you need to install 12 linear metres of 1.8m tall boundary fencing.

    A paling fence would be your cheapest option, it doesn't need to be aluminium pool fence, and you'll get better privacy too, but I am not clear what's common in your area. 12 linear metres of CCA paling should be no more than around $1600 or so, installed.

    Otherwise colorbond for not too much more https://www.oxworks.com.au/CS2418-Colorbond-Standard-Panel-2… You could install yourself with a mate and a couple of bags of premix per post if you've got basic handyman skills.

    I presume that your boundary in this case is to a roadway or reserve, otherwise the opinion of your neighbours is also relevant.

    • jv on 26/02/2024 - 11:29

      of 1.8m tall boundary fencing.

      Why 1.8 ?

      A friend just got their's replaced and it was 1.5

      • AngoraFish on 26/02/2024 - 11:50

        A pool fence that is also a boundary fence must be a minimum of 1.8m high. Lower fences are only allowed when they are surrounded by boundary fences, such as in a backyard.

        • jv on 26/02/2024 - 12:58
          -4

          That doesn't make any sense.

          • AngoraFish on 26/02/2024 - 13:09
            +9

            @jv: For better or worse, the need to make sense to jv is not a requirement of either the National Construction Code or AS 1926.1-2012 Swimming pool safety - Safety barriers for swimming pools.

            • jv on 26/02/2024 - 13:11
              -3

              @AngoraFish: It doesn't make sense that some fences are 1.5 and others 1.8…

              Surely the safety is compromised by the lowest fence.

              • AngoraFish on 26/02/2024 - 13:24
                +1

                @jv: Perhaps. The idea is that all pools must be completely surrounded by either a 1.8m high boundary fence or the building. This is for the safety of children in the neighborhood.

                Lower fencing is allowed when dividing up your yard itself, which is probably just because taller fencing will look crap in real estate photos and the real estate industry are very influential lobbyists, but possibly because it's your and your visitor's children who are likely to drown and therefore you have more incentive to actively supervise them.

                There's nothing to stop you putting in a 1.8m high pool fence all around though if you'd prefer to play it safe.

                edit: I suspect that part of the thinking is that for boundary fences you're only half responsible for their condition (with your neighbors), and therefore an extra degree of caution is warranted in that case.

                • Euphemistic on 26/02/2024 - 13:40
                  +1

                  @AngoraFish: Lower fencing is acceptable within the property as the owner can control wht is on both sides for a climbing risk. For a boundary fence, someone has determined that 1.8m is tall enough to deter kids from dropping in if theyve clombed to the top.

                  • BOGOF on 26/02/2024 - 14:32
                    +1

                    @Euphemistic: I don't think the height is a deterrence if they've got to the top, but rather, the subsequent fall would be fatal, therefore a pool statistic is unlikely to occur.

              • BOGOF on 26/02/2024 - 13:39
                +1

                @jv: It doesn't make sense.

                A boundary fence can be anywhere between 0.5 - 1.8m (or none at all), and if the pool fence is further in from the boundary fence by at least 900mm (non climbable zone) then it only has to be 1.2m or higher, but if it is part of the boundary fence then it has to be 1.8m. The idea (not logic) is that the non-pool property may have climbable objects such as furniture/BBQs etc. This requirement mitigates but does not remove the risk it is trying to prevent.

                Most of the pool fencing regulations don't make sense, but they are a legal requirement.

                • jv on 26/02/2024 - 13:40

                  @BOGOF:

                  It doesn't make sense.

                  No it doesn't.

                  They should review the regulations.

                  • BOGOF on 26/02/2024 - 13:41
                    +1

                    @jv: They should!

                  • onetwothreefour on 26/02/2024 - 13:55
                    +2

                    @jv:

                    They should review the regulations

                    We nominate you as our spokesperson, please keep us updated on your progress.

    • HeWhoKnows on 27/02/2024 - 14:51

      1.8m high?????

      Australian Standards say Pool fencing must be 1.2m high .

      The 1.2m height is because…
      a) it is considered high enough to stop kids
      b) it is short enough to stop the fence uprights from being prised apart so allowing kids to squeeze through
      c) it didnt necessitate and centre bar which facilitating climbing over the fence

      However the rules do state a height of 1.8m if its a boundary fence.
      Id suggest a simple, inexpensive timber paling fence or colourbond fence along the boundary

      And how high is the brick wall pray tell???

      See here for more information:
      https://www.fenceguru.com.au/blog/australian-pool-fence-laws…

    • HeWhoKnows on 27/02/2024 - 14:59

      And next time please leave out the poor "Im out of money sulk sulk" bit and just stick to the issues that need to be resolved

  • iforgotmysocks on 26/02/2024 - 10:26

    Perhaps you could go for a classy option?

  • Euphemistic on 26/02/2024 - 10:53

    DIY will save a fair bit, although you'll want someone in the DIY team to have a bit of an idea on how to go about it. No point saving a bunch on labour costs for a contractor, then finding out youve done it wrong and need to do it again.

    Fencing isn't that difficult. Watch some youtube clips and see if ita worth doing yourself.

    • jv on 26/02/2024 - 11:30
      -2

      although you'll want someone in the DIY team to have a bit of an idea on how to go about it

      or just use Youtube…

      • AngoraFish on 26/02/2024 - 11:31
        +1

        Reading is hard for you, isn't it.

        • jv on 26/02/2024 - 11:32
          +1

          Reading is hard

          It depends on the language…

        • Nugs on 26/02/2024 - 15:41

          "Reading is hard for you, isn't it."
          Well, jv is a collingwood supporter
          .

  • try2bhelpful on 26/02/2024 - 11:23
    -1

    The first thing is to find out what the regulations permit. You will need to pass an inspection at the end of it. You also need to work out if you are, currently, at risk of non compliance. How long do you have to remedy this?

    Best of luck with a solution.

  • bmxr on 26/02/2024 - 11:46
    +1

    Two of our neighbours have just gone through re-compliance for pool boundary fences as they were looking to rent out their homes.

    One added ugly fence toppers and the other just added a new layer of palings to the required heights, which are now breaking and flaking.

    Both cheap solutions which will require to be replaced regularly, or eventually, replaced with a more permanent solution.

  • pharkurnell on 26/02/2024 - 14:47
    +1

    Leave the pool empty till ya save enough for the fencing.

  • chickenchipsgravy on 26/02/2024 - 16:28

    feel your pain, start saving — I just completed 116 metres of 1.8 (+.15 timber plinth=1.95) around the boundary + 29 metres of glass pool fencing with two soft-closing gates.

    • try2bhelpful on 26/02/2024 - 16:34

      Price per metre of fence?

      • chickenchipsgravy on 26/02/2024 - 16:41

        glass pool fence was $480/metre inc removal of old fence + timber @ $135/metre inc removal + $351 for council pool certification

        • try2bhelpful on 26/02/2024 - 19:33

          Thanks. That might give the OP some ideas on costs.

  • LFO on 27/02/2024 - 11:14

    Could we cover it with plywood at the correct height?

    Surprisingly that is what builders do during construction although the (newly built) pool is empty (of water and people).
    Unusable but secure.

    Perhaps an option ?

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