A Conversation with the GM Mark Dicker Blayney Shire Council Dividing Fences The Dividing Fences Act 1991 addresses how the cost of a dividing fence is shared between adjoining land owners, where an owner wants to erect a dividing fence or wants work done on an existing dividing fence. The Act sets out the minimum requirements owners may agree to and also sets out the procedure for resolving disputes involving the cost, type and position of a fence. Whilst we are often your first call to resolve a debate, local government does not have jurisdiction over the Dividing Fences Act. You want to erect or replace a dividing fence - what should you do? You should contact Council to confirm a development application is not required (most fall under an exemption) prior to starting any fencing works. Things that need to be considered include; heritage, heights, minimum distance from buildings and proposed materials. Council has no further part to play in relation to the Dividing Fences Act. The Act is administered by Law Access NSW. Please refer to the following website for more information: https://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au Who is my neighbour? Before you can talk to your neighbour about building, fixing or replacing a fence, you need to know who your neighbour is. If the person who owns the property also lives there, you could approach them directly or write to them. Sometimes the person that owns the property will not live there (for example it may be vacant or rented out to tenants). If this is the case, you will need to find the owner of the property so that you can talk to them about your fencing issue. Some options to find out who owns a neighbouring property include; Asking the resident (whether owner or tenant), If rented talk to the managing agent, . Do a title search, Search www.whitepages.com.au Where exactly is the legal property boundary? It must be remembered where a fence is physically located is not necessarily the legal property boundary, particularly in older areas. Many fences are not on the correct legal alignment and only a registered surveyor can peg and mark a legal boundary. If you are considering selling or purchasing a property, in particular an older property you should seek the advice of your solicitor or conveyancer to ascertain if a survey report should be obtained at the time of sale or purchase. Why are good fences important? Good fences are important as they provide an enclosed space creating privacy for residents and their neighbours. Good fences are also critically important if animals live at the property. Fences not only prevent animals from escaping or wandering onto the street, they also ensure animals, in particular dogs are not exposed to unnecessary stimuli which they may bark at, potentially impacting the amenity of the neighbourhood. What happens if you can't reach an agreement with the adjoining owner? Generally, if you and the adjoining owner have not been able to reach an agreement you can apply to the Local Court for a Fencing Order. Council Meeting Blayney Council News The June Ordinary Meeting of Council will be held in the Chambers, Blayney Shire Community Centre, on Tuesday 25 June 2024, commencing at 6.00pm. Members of the community are welcome to attend. A copy of the Business Paper will be available on Council's website prior to the meeting. These documents are available for viewing and downloading on Council's website www.blayney.nsw.gov.au/your-council/on-exhibtion Written submissions must be received prior to 5.00pm Wednesday 19 June 2024. Positions Vacant You can also tune in live at https://www.blayney.nsw.gov.au/council Council currently has the following position available: council-meetings Community Directory Council has launched a community directory to help local residents find all the community and sporting groups which operate in the Blayney Shire. The directory was launched as part of National Volunteer Week so it also comes with the encouragement to get involved with our local community groups, most of which are always in need of volunteers and would love to have more people involved. The directory is still a work in progress as community and sporting groups submit their details, so if you are involved with a community or sporting group, please submit via details via Councils website. Documents on Public Exhibition Works Operators / Casual Works Operators. There is no set closing date. Please refer to Council's website for an Information Package and details on how to apply for this position. Candidate Information Session Are you (or someone you know) interested in being a Councillor? The next Local Government Election will be held for all NSW Councils on Saturday 14 September 2024 and there is another information session coming up. Blayney Shire Council will host a free 3-hour information session, for anyone to attend with mayoral mentor, former Lismore Mayor Jenny Following the May Council Meeting, Council is seeking comment on Dowell. the following documents now on public exhibition: Draft 2024/25-2027/28 Delivery Program and 2024/25 Operational Plan Draft 2024/25-2033/34 Long Term Financial Plan Records Management Policy Contact Us Council Office 91 Adelaide St, Blayney NSW 2799 PO Box 62, Blayney NSW 2799 9.30am - 4.00pm Monday to Friday Details Thursday 27 June, 5:30pm - 9.00pm Blayney Shire Community Centre For more information and to register your interest (for catering purposes) please contact Council on 6368 2104 or council@blayney.nsw.gov.au Ph 02 6368 2104 council@blayney.nsw.gov.au www.blayney.nsw.gov.au Like us on Facebook Search Blayney Shire Council Scan here for the online version A Conversation with the GM Mark Dicker Blayney Shire Council Dividing Fences The Dividing Fences Act 1991 addresses how the cost of a dividing fence is shared between adjoining land owners , where an owner wants to erect a dividing fence or wants work done on an existing dividing fence . The Act sets out the minimum requirements owners may agree to and also sets out the procedure for resolving disputes involving the cost , type and position of a fence . Whilst we are often your first call to resolve a debate , local government does not have jurisdiction over the Dividing Fences Act . You want to erect or replace a dividing fence - what should you do ? You should contact Council to confirm a development application is not required ( most fall under an exemption ) prior to starting any fencing works . Things that need to be considered include ; heritage , heights , minimum distance from buildings and proposed materials . Council has no further part to play in relation to the Dividing Fences Act . The Act is administered by Law Access NSW . Please refer to the following website for more information : https://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au Who is my neighbour ? Before you can talk to your neighbour about building , fixing or replacing a fence , you need to know who your neighbour is . If the person who owns the property also lives there , you could approach them directly or write to them . Sometimes the person that owns the property will not live there ( for example it may be vacant or rented out to tenants ) . If this is the case , you will need to find the owner of the property so that you can talk to them about your fencing issue . Some options to find out who owns a neighbouring property include ; Asking the resident ( whether owner or tenant ) , If rented talk to the managing agent , . Do a title search , Search www.whitepages.com.au Where exactly is the legal property boundary ? It must be remembered where a fence is physically located is not necessarily the legal property boundary , particularly in older areas . Many fences are not on the correct legal alignment and only a registered surveyor can peg and mark a legal boundary . If you are considering selling or purchasing a property , in particular an older property you should seek the advice of your solicitor or conveyancer to ascertain if a survey report should be obtained at the time of sale or purchase . Why are good fences important ? Good fences are important as they provide an enclosed space creating privacy for residents and their neighbours . Good fences are also critically important if animals live at the property . Fences not only prevent animals from escaping or wandering onto the street , they also ensure animals , in particular dogs are not exposed to unnecessary stimuli which they may bark at , potentially impacting the amenity of the neighbourhood . What happens if you can't reach an agreement with the adjoining owner ? Generally , if you and the adjoining owner have not been able to reach an agreement you can apply to the Local Court for a Fencing Order . Council Meeting Blayney Council News The June Ordinary Meeting of Council will be held in the Chambers , Blayney Shire Community Centre , on Tuesday 25 June 2024 , commencing at 6.00pm . Members of the community are welcome to attend . A copy of the Business Paper will be available on Council's website prior to the meeting . These documents are available for viewing and downloading on Council's website www.blayney.nsw.gov.au/your-council/on-exhibtion Written submissions must be received prior to 5.00pm Wednesday 19 June 2024 . Positions Vacant You can also tune in live at https://www.blayney.nsw.gov.au/council Council currently has the following position available : council - meetings Community Directory Council has launched a community directory to help local residents find all the community and sporting groups which operate in the Blayney Shire . The directory was launched as part of National Volunteer Week so it also comes with the encouragement to get involved with our local community groups , most of which are always in need of volunteers and would love to have more people involved . The directory is still a work in progress as community and sporting groups submit their details , so if you are involved with a community or sporting group , please submit via details via Councils website . Documents on Public Exhibition Works Operators / Casual Works Operators . There is no set closing date . Please refer to Council's website for an Information Package and details on how to apply for this position . Candidate Information Session Are you ( or someone you know ) interested in being a Councillor ? The next Local Government Election will be held for all NSW Councils on Saturday 14 September 2024 and there is another information session coming up . Blayney Shire Council will host a free 3 - hour information session , for anyone to attend with mayoral mentor , former Lismore Mayor Jenny Following the May Council Meeting , Council is seeking comment on Dowell . the following documents now on public exhibition : Draft 2024 / 25-2027 / 28 Delivery Program and 2024/25 Operational Plan Draft 2024 / 25-2033 / 34 Long Term Financial Plan Records Management Policy Contact Us Council Office 91 Adelaide St , Blayney NSW 2799 PO Box 62 , Blayney NSW 2799 9.30am - 4.00pm Monday to Friday Details Thursday 27 June , 5:30 pm - 9.00pm Blayney Shire Community Centre For more information and to register your interest ( for catering purposes ) please contact Council on 6368 2104 or council@blayney.nsw.gov.au Ph 02 6368 2104 council@blayney.nsw.gov.au www.blayney.nsw.gov.au Like us on Facebook Search Blayney Shire Council Scan here for the online version