Fence Toppers, Privacy and Regulations

Dotaguy on 30/12/2021 - 13:08

Hi all

Wondering if people might be able to point me in the right direction or offer any advice

We have a property with a back fence that's against a sportsground.
You can't actually see into the backyard (or you sort of can but not much of it) from the sportsground. I.e., you could probably see my head walking around, but maybe I could still sunbathe naked if I wanted. That's not the goal obviously but who doesn't want to feel like their backyard is more private amirite.

I'd like to increase the privacy of the backyard entirely. I can see a lot of the neighbours have large hedges or some trees which have grown to do the same thing but obviously that takes some time to grow. I've looked into bamboo but am worried about keeping that stuff under control, I'm also terrible at maintaining greenery.

A friend of mine suggested something like this from bunnings https://www.bunnings.com.au/lattice-makers-2400-x-450mm-pali…

I can't seem to find much info on this from council webpages. My friend has been told (by his neighbour) that as long as the structure isn't permanent, i.e., you can remove it if council asks then it's not a problem. All I see to be able to find is that anything over 2m needs a permit. What would you do here?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • pharkurnell on 30/12/2021 - 13:23
    +1

    Whats the issue if they can only see the top of your head and you could lay in the bollox and nobody could see you?

    $ and effort for not much improvement?

  • brad1-8tsi on 30/12/2021 - 13:28
    +2

    We have 500mm high diagonal lattice topping our 1.8m fence. It still allows light and breeze through but obscures vision. It would take 10 mins with a drill to remove the roofing screws it's attached with. The chances of council wanting it removed are almost zero.

    Go to a decent plant nursery and get recommendations for screening plants. Shrubs or climbers. Star Jasmine grows well with good light, fertilizer and water. Lilli Pilli is good too.

    • mskeggs on 30/12/2021 - 13:56
      +1

      Lilli Pilli can be impossible to remove later, but jasmine is very nice.
      I agree with just doing what you want, as long as you can live with being told to remove it if someone makes a fuss.

      Less chance of a fuss if you make the place nicer for others too, by making it look nice from both sides, some greenery etc.

      • Quantumcat on 30/12/2021 - 14:13
        +1

        Benefit of lilli pilli is you can have leaf insects as pets, as they need them for food

      • serpserpserp on 30/12/2021 - 16:32
        +3

        jasmine is very nice.

        Smells nice but is horrible for people with Asthma.

  • elgrande on 30/12/2021 - 13:35
    +2

    The only person who may complain is your neighbor, which in this case is the sports field. Go for it.

  • original15 on 30/12/2021 - 14:00

    Think it would be unlikely there would be any issue with you installing something like that.we chucked up a lattice style diagonal one to let a little light through as was a bit nicer on the eye
    But can’t imagine council would have any issue with you putting something up.
    Thought this was going to be a post asking for council to pay for half of it

    • Dotaguy on 30/12/2021 - 14:21

      Ha, don't give me any ideas. Where would one submit a request for council to pay for half a fence anyway…

      • serpserpserp on 30/12/2021 - 16:33
        +1

        Probably on their website.

  • [Deactivated] on 31/12/2021 - 10:29

    Definitely avoid bamboo. Even the clumping varieties can pop up on the other side of the fence if you don't install a barrier around them. Plus they are incredibly messy, constantly shedding leaves.
    A super quick, tough screening plant is potato vine (Solanum) but it needs some support. Unlike Jasmine, it is low allergenic.

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