{"id":"wa-local:esperance-shire-of-fencing-local-law-2018","name":"Fencing Local Law 2018","slug":"esperance-shire-of-fencing-local-law-2018","collection":"local_law","jurisdiction":"wa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":442365,"registerId":"wa-local:esperance-shire-of-fencing-local-law-2018-1775957391434","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Fencing Local Law 2018","content":"!2018105GG!\n2503\nISSN 1448-949X (print) ISSN 2204-4264 (online)\nPRINT POST APPROVED PP665002/00041\nPERTH, TUESDAY, 3 JULY 2018 No. 105 SPECIAL\nPUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY KEVIN J. McRAE, GOVERNMENT PRINTER AT 12.30 PM\n© STATE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA\nWESTERN\nAUSTRALIAN\nGOVERNMENT\nLOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995\n_________\nSHIRE OF ESPERANCE\n———————————\nFENCING LOCAL LAW 2018\n\n\n\n3 July 2018 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 2505\nLOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995\nSHIRE OF ESPERANCE\nFENCING LOCAL LAW 2018\nTABLE OF CONTENTS\nPART 1—PRELIMINARY\n1.1 Citation\n1.2 Commencement\n1.3 Repeal\n1.4 Application\n1.5 Fees and Charges\n1.6 Definitions\nPART 2—SUFFICIENT FENCES\n2.1 Sufficient Fences\nPART 3—GENERAL\n3.1 Maintenance of Fences\n3.2 General Discretion of the Local Government\nPART 4—FENCING MATERIALS\n4.1 Fencing Materials\n4.2 Barbed Wire and Broken Glass Fences\n4.3 Electric Fences\nPART 5—NOTICES OF BREACH\n5.1 Notices of Breach\nPART 6—OFFENCES\n6.1 Offences and Penalties\n6.2 Modified Penalties\n6.3 Form of Notices\nPART 7—REVIEW OF DECISIONS\n7.1 Review of Decisions\nSCHEDULE 1—SPECIFICATIONS FOR A SUFFICIENT FENCE ON\nA RESIDENTIAL LOT\nSCHEDULE 2—SPECIFICATIONS FOR A SUFFICIENT FENCE ON A\nCOMMERCIAL LOT AND AN INDUSTRIAL LOT\nSCHEDULE 3—SPECIFICATIONS FOR A SUFFICIENT FENCE ON A RURAL LOT,\nA RURAL RESIDENTIAL LOT AND A RURAL SMALL HOLDINGS LOT\n\n\n\n3 July 2018 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 2507\nLOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995\nSHIRE OF ESPERANCE\nFENCING LOCAL LAW 2018\nUnder the powers conferred by the Local Government Act 1995 and by all other powers, the Council of\nthe Shire of Esperance resolved on 26 June 2018 to make the Shire of Esperance Fencing Local Law\n2018.\nPART 1—PRELIMINARY\n1.1 Citation\nThis local law may be cited as the Shire of Esperance Fencing Local Law 2018.\n1.2 Commencement\nThis local law comes into operation 14 days after the date of its publication in the Government\nGazette.\n1.3 Repeal\n(1) The following local laws are repealed—\n(a) the Shire of Esperance Local Laws Relating to Fencing 2002 published in the Government\nGazette No. 78 on 30 April 2002; and\n(b) the Shire of Esperance Fencing Amendment Local Law 2009 published in the Government\nGazette No. 177 on 2 October 2009.\n(c) the Shire of Esperance Fencing Amendment Local Law 2011 published in the Government\nGazette No. 90 on 3 June 2011.\n(2) Where a policy was made or adopted by the Local Government under or in relation to a local law\nrepealed by this local law, then the policy is to be taken to no longer have any effect on and from the\ncommencement day.\n1.4 Application\nThis local law applies throughout the district.\n1.5 Fees and Charges\nAll fees and charges applicable under this local law shall be as determined by the Local Government\nfrom time to time in accordance with s.6.16 to 6.19 of the Act.\n1.6 Definitions\nIn this local law, unless the context requires otherwise—\nAct means the Local Government Act 1995;\nAS or AS/NZS means an Australian Standard or an Australian/New Zealand Standard\npublished by Standards Australia, as amended from time to time. These are available for\nviewing free of charge at the Shire of Esperance Administration Office;\nCEO means the Chief Executive Officer of the Local Government;\nCommercial Lot means a lot where a commercial use—\n(a) is or may be permitted under the Local Planning Scheme; and\n(b) is or will be the predominant use of the lot;\ndangerous in relation to any fence means—\n(a) an electric fence other than a fence erected and maintained in accordance with this\nlocal law;\n(b) a fence containing barbed wire other than a fence erected and maintained in\naccordance with this local law;\n(c) a fence containing exposed broken glass, friable asbestos, razor wire or any other\npotentially harmful projection or material; or\n(d) a fence which is likely to collapse or fall, or part of which is likely to collapse or fall,\nfrom any cause;\n\n2508 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 3 July 2018\ndistrict means the district of the Local Government;\ndividing fence has the meaning given to it in and for the purposes of the Dividing Fences\nAct 1961;\nelectric fence means a barrier which included one or more electric conductors, insulated from\nearth, to which electric pulses are applied by an energizer;\nfence means any structure used or functioning as a barrier, irrespective of where it is located and\nincludes any gate;\nheight in relation to a fence means the vertical distance between—\n(a) the top of the fence at any point; and\n(b) the ground level or, where the ground levels on each side of the fence are not the same,\nthe higher ground level, immediately below that point;\n(c) where the fence is erected on a retaining wall approved by the Local Government, from\nthe top of the retaining wall immediately below that point.\nIndustrial Lot means a lot where an industrial use—\n(a) is or may be permitted under the Local Planning Scheme; and\n(b) is or will be the predominant use of the lot.\nLocal Government means the Shire of Esperance;\nLocal Planning Scheme means a Local Planning Scheme of the Local Government made under\nthe Planning and Development Act 2005;\nlot has the meaning given to it in and for the purposes of the Planning and Development\nAct 2005;\nnotice of breach means a notice referred to in clause 5.1;\nprimary street setback area means the area between the front boundary line of a property and\nthe primary street minimum setback prescribed under Table 1 of the Residential Design\nCodes;\nResidential Design Codes means State Planning Policy 3.1 Residential Design Codes as\nprepared by the Western Australian Planning Commission and as amended from time to time\nResidential Lot means a lot where a residential use—\n(a) is or may be permitted under the Local Planning Scheme; and\n(b) is or will be the predominant use of the lot;\nretaining wall means any structure which prevents the movement of soil in order to allow\nground levels of different elevations to exist adjacent to one another;\nRural Lot means a lot where a rural use—\n(a) is or may be permitted under the Local Planning Scheme; and\n(b) is or will be the predominant use of the lot;\nRural Residential Lot means a lot where a rural residential use—\n(a) is or may be permitted under the Local Planning Scheme; and\n(b) is or will be the predominant use of the lot;\nRural Smallholdings Lot means a lot where a rural smallholdings use—\n(a) is or may be permitted under the Local Planning Scheme; and\n(b) is or will be the predominant use of the lot;\nSchedule means a schedule of this local law;\nsufficient fence means a fence described in clause 2.1.\nPART 2—SUFFICIENT FENCES\n2.1 Sufficient Fences\n(1) Unless by written consent between the owners of adjoining properties and the Shire a person shall\nnot erect a dividing fence or a boundary fence that is not a sufficient fence.\n(2) Subject to subclauses (3) and (4), a sufficient fence on a—\n(a) Residential Lot is a dividing fence constructed and maintained in accordance with the\nspecifications and requirements of Schedule 1;\n(b) Commercial Lot and an Industrial Lot is a dividing fence constructed and maintained in\naccordance with the specifications and requirements of Schedule 2;\n(c) Rural Lot, a Rural Residential Lot, or a Rural Smallholdings Lot is a dividing fence\nconstructed and maintained in accordance with the specifications and requirements of\nSchedule 3.\n(3) Where a fence is erected on or near the boundary between a—\n(a) Residential Lot and an Industrial Lot, a sufficient fence is a dividing fence constructed and\nmaintained in accordance with the specifications and requirements of Schedule 1;\n(b) Residential Lot and a Commercial Lot, a sufficient fence is a dividing fence constructed and\nmaintained in accordance with the specifications and requirements of Schedule 1;\n\n3 July 2018 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 2509\n(c) Residential Lot, and a Rural Lot or Rural Smallholdings Lot, a sufficient fence is a dividing\nfence constructed and maintained in accordance with the specifications and requirements of\nSchedule 3;\n(d) Residential Lot and a Rural Residential Lot, a sufficient fence is a dividing fence constructed\nand maintained in accordance with the specifications and requirements of Schedule 1; and\n(e) Rural Residential Lot and a Rural Lot or a Rural Smallholdings Lot, a sufficient fence is a\ndividing fence constructed and maintained in accordance with the specifications and\nrequirements of Schedule 3.\n(4) Unless the Local Government specifies otherwise, a sufficient fence on a boundary between lots\nother than those specified in subclause (3) is a dividing fence constructed in accordance with the\nspecifications and requirements of Schedule 2.\n(5) Notwithstanding any other provisions in this local law, a fence constructed of stone, brick or\nconcrete shall be a sufficient fence only if it is designed by a structural engineer in accordance with\nthe Building Act 2011.\nPART 3—GENERAL\n3.1 Maintenance of Fences\nAn owner of a lot on which a fence is erected shall maintain the fence in good condition to prevent it\nfrom becoming dangerous, dilapidated, or unsightly.\n3.2 General Discretion of the Local Government\n(1) Notwithstanding any other provision in this local law, the Local Government may consent to the\nerection or repair of a fence which does not comply with the requirements of this local law.\n(2) In determining whether to grant its consent to the erection or repair of any fence, the Local\nGovernment may consider whether the erection or retention of the fence would have an adverse effect\non—\n(a) the safe or convenient use of any land; or\n(b) the safety or convenience of any person.\nPART 4—FENCING MATERIALS\n4.1 Fencing Materials\n(1) A person shall only construct a fence on a Residential Lot, a Commercial Lot, an Industrial Lot, a\nRural Lot, a Rural Smallholdings Lot, or a Rural Residential Lot in accordance with clause 2.1.\n(2) An application to the Local Government is required for written approval for the use of pre-used\nmaterials.\n4.2 Barbed Wire and Broken Glass Fences\n(1) An owner or occupier of a Residential Lot or a Commercial Lot shall not erect or affix to any fence\non such a lot any barbed wire or other material with spiked or jagged projections, unless the prior\nwritten approval of the Local Government has been obtained.\n(2) An owner or occupier of a lot shall not affix, or allow to remain as part of any fence or wall,\nwhether internal or external, on that lot, any broken glass.\n(3) An owner or occupier of an Industrial Lot shall not erect or affix on any fence bounding that lot\nany barbed wire or other materials with spiked or jagged projections unless—\n(a) the wire or materials are carried on posts at an angle of 45 degrees; and\n(b) the bottom row of wire or other materials is set back 150mm from the face of the fence; and\n(c) is not nearer than 2000mm from the ground level.\n(4) If the posts which carry the barbed wire or other materials referred to in subclause (3) are angled\ntowards the outside of the lot bounded by the fence, the face of the fence must be set back from the lot\nboundary a sufficient distance to ensure that the angled posts, barbed wire or other materials do not\nencroach on adjoining land.\n(5) An owner or occupier of a Rural Lot shall not place or affix barbed wire upon a fence on that Lot\nwhere the fence is adjacent to a thoroughfare or other public place unless the barbed wire is fixed to\nthe side of the fence posts furthest from the thoroughfare or other public place.\n(6) This section does not apply to a fence constructed wholly or partly of razor wire.\n4.3 Electric Fences\n(1) On a Rural Residential Lot, a Rural Lot, or a Rural Smallholdings Lot, electric fencing shall\ncomply with AS/NZS 3014:2003 Electrical installations—Electric fences, as amended from time to\ntime.\n(2) On an Industrial Lot, an electric fence shall—\n(a) comply with AS/NZS 3016:2002 Electrical installations—Electric security fences, as amended\nfrom time to time;\n(b) comply with any requirements of the relevant power authority;\n(c) be capable of being rendered inoperable during the hours of business operations, if any, on\nthe lot where it is erected.\n\n2510 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 3 July 2018\nPART 5—NOTICES OF BREACH\n5.1 Notices of Breach\n(1) Where a breach of any provision of this local law has occurred in relation to a fence on a lot, the\nLocal Government may give a notice in writing to the owner of that lot (notice of breach).\n(2) A notice of breach shall—\n(a) specify the provision of this local law which has been breached;\n(b) specify the particulars of the breach; and\n(c) state that the owner of the lot is required to remedy the breach within 28 days from the\ngiving of the notice.\n(3) Should an owner fail to comply with a notice of breach, the Local Government may by its\nemployees, agents or contractors enter upon the lot to which the notice relates and remedy the\nbreach, and may recover the expenses of so doing from the owner of the lot, as the case may be, in a\ncourt of competent jurisdiction.\n(4) The provisions of this clause are subject to s3.25 and clause 12 of Schedule 3.1 of the Act and entry\nonto land will be in accordance with Part 3 Division 3 Subdivision 3 of the Act.\nPART 6—OFFENCES\n6.1 Offences and Penalties\n(1) A person who fails to do anything required or directed to be done under this local law, or who does\nanything which under this local law that a person is prohibited from doing, commits an offence.\n(2) A person who fails to comply with or who contravenes any provision of this local law commits an\noffence and is liable to a maximum penalty of $5000 and, if the offence is a continuing offence, a\nmaximum daily penalty of $500.\n6.2 Modified Penalties\n(1) An offence against any provision of this local law is a prescribed offence for the purposes of\ns.9.16 (1) of the Act.\n(2) Unless otherwise specified, the amount of the modified penalty for an offence against any\nprovision of this local law is $200.\n6.3 Form of Notices\nFor the purposes of this local law—\n(1) The form of the infringement notice referred to in s.9.17 of the Act is to be in, or substantially in\nthe form of Form 2 of Schedule 1 of the Local Government (Functions and General) Regulations 1996.\n(2) The form of the notice referred to in s.9.20 of the Act is to be in, or substantially in the form of\nForm 3 in Schedule 1 of the Local Government (Functions and General) Regulations 1996.\nPART 7—REVIEW OF DECISIONS\n7.1 Review of Decisions\nWhen the Local Government makes a decision on whether to grant a consent or approval under this\nlocal law, the provisions of Part 9 Division 1 of the Local Government Act 1995, and Regulation 33 of\nthe Local Government (Functions and General) Regulations 1996, apply to that decision.\n————\nSchedule 1\nSPECIFICATIONS FOR A SUFFICIENT FENCE ON A RESIDENTIAL LOT\n(Clause 2.1)\nEach of the following is a sufficient fence on a Residential Lot—\n(1) A timber fence which satisfies the following specifications—\n(a) a height of 1800mm except where located within the primary street setback area;\n(b) construction to be in accordance with the manufacturers specifications or best practice\nconstruction techniques;\n(c) timber panelling to provide a solid cover to provide a solid screen except where the\nfence is located within the primary street setback area; and\n(d) susceptible timber is to be treated for protection from termite attack in accordance with\nthe current version of AS 3660.1: Termite management—Part 1: New building work, as\namended from time to time.\n(2) A fence constructed of corrugated fibre reinforced pressed cement which satisfies the\nfollowing specifications—\n(a) a height of 1800mm except where located within the primary street setback area;\n(b) construction to be in accordance with the manufacturers specifications or best practice\nconstruction techniques.\n\n3 July 2018 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 2511\n(3) A fence constructed of stone, brick or concrete which satisfies the following specifications—\n(a) in accordance with the Building Act 2011;\n(b) shall be designed by a qualified structural engineer; and\n(c) a height of 1800mm except within the primary street setback area.\n(4) A fence constructed of metal panel (eg Colorbond) or plastic panel (eg Duralok) fencing\nsystems which satisfies the following specifications—\n(a) a height of 1800mm, except where located within the primary street setback area; and\n(b) construction to be in accordance with the manufacturers specifications.\n(5) A composite of the above fences such as timber posts with solid sheet metal infill and height\nas specified above.\n(6) A fence within a primary street setback area shall not exceed 1200mm in height without the\nwritten approval of the Local Government.\n————\nSchedule 2\nSPECIFICATIONS FOR A SUFFICIENT FENCE ON A COMMERCIAL\nLOT AND AN INDUSTRIAL LOT\n(Clause 2.1)\nEach of the following is a sufficient fence on a Commercial Lot and an Industrial Lot—\n(1) A fence constructed of galvanised or plastic coated rail-less link mesh, chain mesh or steel\nmesh which satisfies the following specifications—\n(a) corner posts to be minimum 50mm normal bore x 3.5mm and with footings of a 225mm\ndiameter x 900mm depth;\n(b) intermediate posts to be minimum 37mm nominal bore x 3.15mm at maximum\n3500mm centres and with footings of a 225mm diameter x 600mm depth;\n(c) struts to be minimum 30mm nominal bore x 3.15mm fitted at each gate and two at each\ncorner post and with footings 225mm diameter x 600mm depth;\n(d) cables to be affixed to the top, centre and bottom of all posts and to consist of two or\nmore 3.15mm wires twisted together or single 4mm wire;\n(e) rail-less link, chain or steel mesh is to be to a height of 2000mm on top of which are to\nbe three strands of barbed wire carrying the fence to a height of 2400mm in accordance\nwith clause 4.2 of this local law; and\n(f) galvanised link mesh wire to be 2000mm in height and constructed of 50mm mesh\n2.5mm galvanised iron wire and to be strained, neatly secured and laced to the posts\nand affixed to cables. Vehicle entry gates shall provide an opening of not less than\n3600mm and shall be constructed of 25mm tubular framework with one horizontal and\none vertical stay constructed of 20mm piping. Gates shall be covered with 50mm x\n2.5mm galvanised link mesh strained to framework and shall be fixed with a drop bolt\nand locking attachment.\n(2) A fence of fibre reinforced cement sheet or metal sheeting constructed to the specifications\nreferred to in Schedule 1.\n(3) A fence constructed of metal sheeting when supported on posts and rails provided that it is\nused behind a building line and is of a minimum height of 1800mm but no greater than\n2400mm.\n(4) Fences of timber, stone, brick or concrete shall be constructed to the specifications referred to\nin Schedule 1.\n————\nSchedule 3\nSPECIFICATIONS FOR A SUFFICIENT FENCE ON A RURAL LOT, A RURAL\nRESIDENTIAL LOT, AND A RURAL SMALL HOLDINGS LOT\n(Clause 2.1)\n(1) In the case of a non-electric fence, a sufficient fence on a Rural Lot, a Rural Residential Lot, and\na Rural Smallholdings Lot is a fence of posts and wire construction.\nA fence which satisfies the following specifications shall be—\n(a) high tensile wire not less than 2.5mm with a minimum of five wires used, generally with the\nlower wires spaced closer together than the higher wires so as to prevent smaller stock\npassing through, and connected to posts in all cases;\n(b) posts of timber or other suitable material including—\n  timber impregnated with a termite and fungicidal preservative; or\n  star pickets; or\n  concrete;\n\n2512 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 3 July 2018\n(c) posts cut not less than 1800mm long x 50mm diameter at small end if round or 125mm x\n60mm if split or sawn. Posts to be set minimum 600mm in the ground and 1200mm above the\nground; and\n(d) strainer posts not less than 2250mm long and 50mm diameter at the small end (tubular steel\nto be 50mm in diameter) and shall be cut from timber or other suitable material. These shall\nbe placed a minimum of 1000mm in the ground.\n(2) An electric fence having four wires only is a sufficient fence if constructed generally in accordance\nwith clause 4.3.\n(3) A person shall not erect a fence exceeding 1500mm in height without the written consent of the\nLocal Government.\nDated the 27th day of June, 2018.\nThe Common Seal of the Shire of Esperance was hereunto affixed by the authority of a resolution of\nthe Council in the presence of—\nCr. V. BROWN, Shire President.\nMr. W. M. SCOTT, Chief Executive Officer.\n———————————","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains focused on its original purpose of regulating fencing standards within the Shire of Esperance. It updates and consolidates previous fencing local laws from 2002, 2009, and 2011 without expanding into unrelated areas."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple schedules with detailed technical specifications (post diameters, wire gauges, footing depths, etc.)","Cross-references to external standards (AS/NZS 3014, AS 3660.1, Building Act 2011, Dividing Fences Act 1961)","Conditional logic for mixed-boundary scenarios (clause 2.1(3) sets different rules when different lot types adjoin)","Nested exceptions (general barbed wire bans with specific exemptions for industrial and rural lots under strict conditions)","18 defined terms in the interpretation section, including complex lot-type definitions tied to planning scheme usage"],"plain_english_summary":"This local law sets minimum standards for fences across the Shire of Esperance—defining acceptable heights, materials and construction for different property types, banning hazardous materials (like broken glass and most barbed wire), and regulating electric fencing and upkeep. It affects anyone owning or occupying land in the shire who builds, repairs or maintains a fence, and matters because it protects safety, neighbourhood amenity and lets the council enforce repairs or impose penalties."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This instrument expressly repeals earlier Shire fencing local laws and associated policies (cl.1.3), replacing them with consolidated, district‑wide rules (cl.1.4) that update technical references (cl.1.6; cl.4.3; Schedule 1(3)) and set out current enforcement, approval and cost‑recovery mechanisms (cl.3.2; cl.5.1; cl.6.1–6.2)."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple property categories and tailored technical standards (definitions and property types: cl.1.6; sufficient fence: cl.2.1; Schedules 1–3)","Technical construction requirements and structural thresholds (stone/brick/concrete requires a structural engineer under cl.2.1(5) and Schedule 1(3))","Interaction with external statutes and standards (Local Government Act 1995 referenced throughout; Building Act 2011 in cl.2.1(5) and Schedule 1(3); AS/AS‑NZS standards in cl.1.6 and cl.4.3)","Discretion and approval regimes that allow departures from standards (Local Government may consent: cl.3.2; written approvals for pre‑used materials and hazardous fittings: cl.4.1(2), cl.4.2(1))","Enforcement and remediation pathway with cost recovery (maintenance duty cl.3.1; notice of breach, 28‑day remedy period and entry/remedy/cost recovery cl.5.1(1)–(3))","Penalty structure combining maximum fines and daily penalties plus prescribed modified penalties and infringement notice forms (cl.6.1–6.3)","Detailed material‑specific rules (barbed wire, broken glass, razor wire exceptions, set‑back and height conditions: cl.4.2; electric fence standards and operability requirements: cl.4.3)","Prescribed exceptions and site‑specific limits (primary street setback height caps and consent requirements in Schedules and cl.2.1)","Reliance on other regulations for procedural form and review (infringement/notice forms cl.6.3 referencing Local Government (Functions & General) Regulations; review of decisions cl.7.1)"],"plain_english_summary":"This local law sets mandatory fencing standards across the Shire of Esperance. It defines what counts as a “sufficient fence” by property type, prescribes materials, heights and technical standards (including rules for barbed wire and electric fences), requires owners to maintain fences, and gives the Shire power to approve exceptions, issue breach notices, perform remedial work and recover costs.\n\nIt affects all owners and occupiers of lots in the district: non‑compliance can lead to notices, remedial works at the owner’s expense, infringement fines, or prosecution."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/esperance-shire-of-fencing-local-law-2018","history":"/api/acts/esperance-shire-of-fencing-local-law-2018/history","analysis":"/api/acts/esperance-shire-of-fencing-local-law-2018/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/esperance-shire-of-fencing-local-law-2018/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/esperance-shire-of-fencing-local-law-2018/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/esperance-shire-of-fencing-local-law-2018/documents"}}