Paling Fence Cost Melbourne

Who pays for the paling fence? In Melbourne, Victoria, the Fences Act 1968 makes adjacent owners of land responsible for the cost of construction and maintenance of paling fences.

Typically, neighbours are legally obliged to split the cost of repair or construction equally. However, there are exceptions to this rule.

Anyone wanting:

1. A special kind of fence.
2. A more expensive fence.
3. A fence different from those usually built in a particular neighbourhood

Are required to meet the additional cost of any specific, more costly construction requirements.

Example: The existing type of fence is a paling fence. One neighbour wants to construct a brick fence. The neighbour is only obliged to pay half the cost of a paling fence and the other neighbour is obliged to pay the additional cost for the brick construction.

Property owned by the Government

There is general immunity under the Fences Act 1968 for property that is owned by the Crown (government). If your property abuts crown land (eg is next to a government school, a public hospital, emergency services, or courthouse), you may be required to pay the total cost of paling fencing in Melbourne, Victoria.

The Municipal Association of Victoria has contact details for all Victorian councils. Contact your local council in Melbourne for information on paling fences and laws concerning their construction and maintenance.