Adjoining land owners are liable to share equally the cost of fencing work that will result in a sufficient dividing fence. If one owner wants a fence of a higher standard, the owner wanting the higher standard is liable to pay the difference in the cost between that fence and a sufficient dividing fence. If an existing dividing fence is damaged or destroyed by one owner or someone on the owner's land, that owner is liable to pay up to the whole cost of restoring the dividing fence.
Council does not get involved with domestic fencing issues. Dividing fences are controlled by the Dividing Fences Act 1991 administered by the Local Land Board. This Act regulates how the cost of a dividing fence is shared between neighbours when it is renewed or repaired.
For all dividing fence matters you should contact the Local Lands Board at:
76 Victoria Street
(Locked Bag 10)
GRAFTON NSW 2460
Ph 02 6640 2046.
You can also contact the Local Courthouse.
Further information is available on a fact sheet from the Department of Lands called "New Dividing Fences Law"
