Fencing in Sydney’s Northern Beaches is a whole different ball game to doing it ten k’s inland. The salt-laden, humid air, combined with UV intensity that’s boosted by reflections off the water, takes its toll on standard fencing materials. It does it in a way that catches a lot of property owners off guard, especially those who haven’t had the misfortune of building near the ocean before. A steel fence that would last twenty years in a backyard in western Sydney might show signs of rust and the coating giving up the ghost after just five years on a street at Curl that’s getting a full-on sea breeze. This harsh coastal reality has a big impact on which materials you choose and who you pick to put them up. That applies to every fencing Northern Beaches job, whether it’s a boundary fence, a pool fence, a front yard screen, or even a retaining fence for a sloping block.
Council Rules and When You Need to Get Approval
Northern Beaches Council has rules that apply to fencing that are a bit different to what you’d find in most other Sydney councils. For most residential zones, front boundary fences can get up to 1.2 metres high without needing a DA. There’s more to it than that, and some areas even have extra requirements around setbacks and transparency. If you live in an area where everyone can see each other’s place, there are even stricter rules around fence height and how see-through it is.
The Only Materials That Can Put Up With the Coastal Exposure
Powder-coated aluminium is arguably the most reliable fencing material when it comes to the tough conditions on the Northern Beaches. Aluminium just doesn’t corrode. If you give it a good wash every now and then to get rid of all that salt build-up, it’s going to last a lot longer than steel. Marine-grade powder coating that takes into account the extra UV and salt spray on the coast is the way to go rather than standard coatings.
The Neighbour Nuisance and the Fine Print on Fences
On the Northern Beaches, where beautiful houses are packed in and ocean views add serious value to a property, you’ll often see disputes over fences that cut off the view. The NSW Dividing Fences Act of ’91 tries to sort out who’s responsible for shared fences. It doesn’t help much when an allowed fence height still blocks the view from next door. If you’re a Northern Beaches property owner planning to put up a fence that’s going to block your neighbour’s view, have a word with them first. That’s especially important if you’re planning on raising the height of a fence they’re already happy with. A quick chat can save you a world of trouble, and cash, down the line.
What to Ask the Fencing Guy?
If you’re not sure whether you’re hiring a local expert to put up your fence, ask them what powder-coat grade they use for the coast. Ask what kind of hardware they use to withstand the salt air, and what warranty they offer on components that might corrode in full-on coastal weather. A Northern Beaches fencing installer who knows the area inside out will be well aware of the best materials. They’ll know what council rules you need to follow and who to get approval from when you need it.
