3 April 2018 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 1171
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995
CITY OF KARRATHA
FENCING LOCAL LAW 2018
CONTENTS
PART 1—PRELIMINARY
Citation
Commencement
Application
Repeal
Interpretation
Permit Fees and Charges
PART 2—SUFFICIENT FENCES
Sufficient Fences
PART 3—GENERAL
Maintenance of Fences
General Discretion of the Local Government
PART 4—FENCING MATERIALS
Fencing Materials
Barbed Wire and Broken Glass Fences
PART 5—ELECTRIFIED AND RAZOR WIRE FENCES
Requirements for a Licence
PART 6—NOTICES OF BREACH
Notices of Breach
PART 7—OFFENCES
Offences and Penalties
Modified Penalties
Form of Notices
PART 8—OBJECTIONS AND APPEALS
Objections and appeals
SCHEDULE 1—Specifications for a Sufficient Fence on a Residential Lot
SCHEDULE 2—Specifications for a Sufficient Fence on a Commercial Lot and
an Industrial Lot
SCHEDULE 3—Specifications for a Sufficient Fence on a Rural Lot and
on a Rural Residential Lot
3 April 2018 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 1173
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995
CITY OF KARRATHA
FENCING LOCAL LAW 2018
Under the powers conferred by the Local Government Act 1995 and by all other powers the Council of
the City of Karratha resolved to make the following local law on 22 January 2018.
PART 1—PRELIMINARY
Citation
This local law may be cited as the City of Karratha Fencing Local Law 2018.
Commencement
This local law comes into operation 14 days after the date of its publication in the Government
Gazette.
Application
This local law applies throughout the district.
Repeal
The Shire of Roebourne Local Laws Relating to Fencing published in the Government Gazette on
29 August 2003, and as amended in the Government Gazette on 23 March 2004 are repealed.
Interpretation
In this local law, unless the context requires otherwise—
Act means the Dividing Fences Act 1961;
AS or AS/NZS means an Australian or Australian/New Zealand Standard published by the
Standards Australia and as amended from time to time;
AS/NZS 1170.2-2011 means the standard published by Standards Australia as AS/NZS
1170.2-2011: Structural design actions—Wind actions, as amended from time to time;
AS/NZS 3016-2002 means the standard published by Standards Australia as AS/NZS 3016-2002:
Electrical Installations—Electric Security Fences, as amended from time to time;
boundary fence has the meaning given to it for the purposes of the Act;
building approval means an approval issued by a Permit Authority as per the provisions of the
Building Act 2011;
Building Surveyor means a building service practitioner, as defined in the Building Services
(Registration) Act 2011 section 3, who is registered in a class of building service practitioner
that is prescribed for the purposes of this definition;
Commercial Lot means a lot where a commercial use—
(a) is or may be permitted under the town planning scheme; and
(b) is or will be the predominant use of the lot;
dangerous in relation to any fence means—
(a) an electrified fence other than a fence in respect of which a permit under Part 5 of this
local law has been issued and is current;
(b) a fence containing barbed wire other than a fence erected and maintained in
accordance with this local law;
(c) a fence containing exposed broken glass, asbestos fibre, razor wire or any other
potentially harmful projection or material; or
(d) a fence which is likely to collapse or fall, or part of which is likely to collapse or fall,
from any cause;
district means the district of the local government;
dividing fence has the meaning given to it in and for the purposes of the Act;
electrified fence means a fence carrying or designed to carry an electric charge;
Section 1 - Fencing Local Law - Fencing Local Law | Zoe
1174 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 3 April 2018
fence means any structure, including a retaining wall, used or functioning as a barrier,
irrespective of where it is located and includes any gate;
height in relation to a fence means the vertical distance between—
(a) the top of the fence at any point; and
(b) the ground level or, where the ground levels on each side of the fence are not the same,
the higher ground level, immediately below that point;
Industrial Lot means a lot where an industrial use—
(a) is or may be permitted under the town planning scheme; and
(b) is or will be the predominant use of the lot;
local government means the City of Karratha;
lot has the meaning given to it in and for the purposes of the Planning and Development
Act 2005;
notice of breach means a notice referred to in clause 13(1);
Permit Authority has the meaning given to it in and for the purposes of the Building Act 2011;
Residential Lot means a lot where a residential use—
(a) is or may be permitted under the town planning scheme; and
(b) is or will be the predominant use of the lot;
retaining wall means any structure which prevents the movement of soil in order to allow
ground levels of different elevations to exist adjacent to one another;
Rural Lot means a lot where a rural use—
(a) is or may be permitted under the town planning scheme; and
(b) is or will be the predominant use of the lot;
Schedule means a Schedule to this local law;
Rural Residential Lot means a lot where a special rural use—
(a) is or may be permitted under the town planning scheme; and
(b) is or will be the predominant use of the lot;
sufficient fence means a fence described in clause 7; and
town planning scheme means a town planning scheme of the local government made under the
Planning and Development Act 2005.
6. Approval Fees and Charges
(1) An owner or occupier of a lot shall not erect, construct or repair a fence without applying for and
obtaining a building approval from the local government or Permit Authority.
(2) Application fees set by the Building Regulations 2012 as governed by the Building Act 2011 will be
applied to applications made under this local law.
(3) Where planning approval is required, the fees and charges are to be determined in accordance
with the Planning and Development Act 2005 and the associated regulations.
PART 2—SUFFICIENT FENCES
7. Sufficient Fences
(1) Unless by agreement between the owners of adjoining properties, a person shall not erect a
dividing fence or a boundary fence that is not a sufficient fence.
(2) Subject to subclauses (3) and (4), a sufficient fence—
(a) on a Residential Lot is a dividing fence or a boundary fence constructed and maintained in
accordance with the specifications and requirements of Schedule 1;
(b) on a Commercial Lot and on an Industrial Lot is a dividing fence or a boundary fence
constructed and maintained in accordance with the specifications and requirements of
Schedule 2, taking into consideration provisions of any local planning policies adopted by
Council; and
(c) on a Rural Lot and on a Rural Residential Lot is a dividing fence or a boundary fence
constructed and maintained in accordance with the specifications and requirements of
Schedule 3.
(3) Where a fence is erected on or near the boundary between—
(a) a Residential Lot and an Industrial Lot, a sufficient fence is a dividing fence constructed and
maintained in accordance with the specifications and requirements of Schedule 1;
(b) a Residential Lot and a Commercial Lot, a sufficient fence is a dividing fence constructed and
maintained in accordance with the specifications and requirements of Schedule 2, taking into
consideration provisions of any local planning policies adopted by Council;
(c) a Residential Lot and a Rural Lot, a sufficient fence is a dividing fence constructed and
maintained in accordance with the specifications and requirements of Schedule 3; and
(d) a Rural Residential Lot and a Rural Lot, a sufficient fence is a dividing fence constructed and
maintained in accordance with the specifications and requirements of Schedule 3.
(4) Unless the Building Surveyor specifies otherwise, a sufficient fence on a boundary between lots
other than those specified in subclause (3) is a dividing fence constructed in accordance with the
specifications and requirements of Schedule 2.
3 April 2018 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 1175
PART 3—GENERAL
8. Maintenance of Fences
An owner and occupier of a lot on which a fence is erected shall maintain the fence in good condition
so as to prevent it from becoming dangerous, dilapidated, or unsightly.
9. General Discretion of the Local Government
(1) Notwithstanding clause 7, the local government may consent to the erection or repair of a fence
which does not comply with the requirements of this local law.
(2) In determining whether to grant its consent to the erection or repair of any fence, the local
government may consider, in addition to any other matter that it is authorized to consider, whether
the erection or retention of the fence would have an adverse effect on—
(a) the safe or convenient use of any land; or
(b) the safety or convenience of any person.
PART 4—FENCING MATERIALS
10. Fencing Materials
(1) A person shall construct a fence on a Residential Lot, a Commercial Lot or an Industrial Lot from
only brick, stone, concrete, wrought iron, tubular steel framed, link mesh, timber, plastic coated or
galvanised link mesh, colour bonded metal or a material approved by the Building Surveyor.
(2) Where the Building Surveyor approves the use of pre-used materials in the construction of a fence
under subclause (1), that approval shall be conditional on the applicant painting or treating the pre-
used material as directed by the Building Surveyor.
(3) Where required by the Building Surveyor Fencing designs are to be certified by a practicing
structural engineer as being suitable for wind loadings found in Region D Importance Level 2 areas in
accordance with AS1170.2-2011.
11. Barbed Wire and Broken Glass Fences
(1) This clause does not apply to a fence constructed wholly or partly of razor wire.
(2) An owner or occupier of a Commercial Lot shall not erect or affix to any fence on such a lot any
barbed wire or other material with spiked or jagged projections, unless the prior written approval of
the Building Surveyor has been obtained.
(3) An owner or occupier of an Industrial Lot shall not erect or affix on any fence bounding that Lot
any barbed wire or other materials with spiked or jagged projections unless the wire or materials are
carried on posts at an angle of 45 degrees, and unless the bottom row of wire or other materials is set
back 150mm from the face of the fence and is not nearer than 2000mm from the ground level.
(4) If the posts which carry the barbed wire or other materials referred to in subclause (3) are angled
towards the outside of the lot bounded by the fence the face of the fence must be set back from the lot
boundary a sufficient distance to ensure that the angled posts, barbed wire or other materials do not
encroach on adjoining land.
(5) An owner or occupier of a lot shall not affix or allow to remain as part of any fence or wall, whether
internal or external, on that lot any broken glass.
(6) An owner or occupier of a Rural Lot shall not place or affix barbed wire upon a fence on that Lot
where the fence is adjacent to a thoroughfare or other public place unless the barbed wire is fixed to
the side of the fence posts furthest from the thoroughfare or other public place.
PART 5—ELECTRIFIED AND RAZOR WIRE FENCES
12. Requirements for a building approval
(1) An owner or occupier of a lot, other than a Rural Lot, shall not—
(a) erect or construct an electrified fence on that lot without first obtaining a building approval
under subclause (2); or
(b) construct a fence wholly or partly of razor wire on that lot without first obtaining a building
approval under subclause (3).
(2) A building approval to have and use an electrified fence shall not be issued—
(a) in respect of a lot which is or which abuts a Residential Lot;
(b) unless the fence complies with AS/NZS 3016-2002; and
(c) unless provision is made so as to enable the fence to be rendered inoperable during the hours
of business operations, if any, on the lot where it is erected.
(3) A building approval to have a fence constructed wholly or partly of razor wire shall not be issued—
(a) in respect of a lot which is or which abuts a Residential Lot;
(b) if the proposed fence is within 3m of the boundary of the lot; or
(c) where any razor wire is proposed to be used in the construction of the fence is less than
2000mm or more than 2400mm above the ground level.
(4) An application for a building approval referred to in subclauses (2) or (3) shall be made by the
owner of the lot on which the fence is or is to be erected, or by the occupier of the lot with the written
consent of the owner.
1176 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 3 April 2018
(5) An application for a building approval referred to in subclauses (2) or (3) may be—
(a) approved by the local government or Permit Authority;
(b) approved by the local government or Permit Authority subject to such conditions as it thinks
fit; or
(c) refused by the local government or Permit Authority.
PART 6—NOTICES OF BREACH
13. Notices of Breach
(1) Where a breach of any provision of this local law has occurred in relation to a fence on a lot, the
local government may give a notice in writing to the owner or occupier of that lot (‘notice of breach’).
(2) A notice of breach shall—
(a) specify the provision of this local law which has been breached;
(b) specify the particulars of the breach; and
(c) state that the owner or occupier of the lot is required to remedy the breach within 28 days
from the giving of the notice.
(3) Should an owner or occupier fail to comply with a notice of breach, the local government may by its
employees, agents or contractors enter upon the lot to which the notice relates and remedy the
breach, and may recover the expenses of so doing from the owner or occupier of the lot, as the case
may be, in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(4) The provisions of this clause are subject to section 3.25 and item 12 of Division 1 of Schedule 3.1 of
the Local Government Act 1995 and any power of entry exercised by the local government under this
local law is subject to Part 3, Division 3 of the Local Government Act 1995.
PART 7—OFFENCES
14. Offences and Penalties
(1) An owner or occupier who fails to comply with a notice of breach commits an offence and is liable
upon conviction to a maximum penalty of $5000 and, if the offence is a continuing offence, a
maximum daily penalty of $500.
(2) A person who fails to comply with or who contravenes any provision of this local law commits an
offence and is liable to a maximum penalty of $5000 and, if the offence is a continuing offence, a
maximum daily penalty of $500.
15. Modified Penalties
(1) An offence against any provision of this local law is a prescribed offence for the purposes of
section 9.16 (1) of the Local Government Act 1995.
(2) Unless otherwise specified, the amount of the modified penalty for an offence against any
provision of these Local Laws is $100.
16. Form of Notices
For the purposes of this local law—
(a) the form of the infringement notice referred to in section 9.17 of the Local Government
Act 1995 is to be in or substantially in the form of Form 2 of Schedule 1 of the Local
Government (Functions and General) Regulations 1996;
(b) the form of the notice referred to in section 9.20 of the Local Government Act 1995 is to be in
or substantially in the form of Form 3 in Schedule 1 of the Local Government (Functions and
General) Regulations 1996.
PART 8—OBJECTIONS AND APPEALS
17. Objections and appeals
Any decision made by the local government under this local law is subject to the provisions of Part 9,
Division 1 of the Local Government Act 1995.
SCHEDULE 1—Specifications for a Sufficient Fence on a Residential Lot
[Clause 7(2)(a)]
The following is a “sufficient fence” on a Residential Lot—
A. A fence constructed of materials specified in Clause 10, with the exclusion of any form of
mesh and which satisfies the following—
(a) the fence design being certified by a practicing structural engineer as being suitable for
wind loadings found in Region D Importance Level 2 areas in accordance with
AS1170.2-2011;
(b) The height of the fence to be 1800mm except with respect to the front set back area
which is subject to the provisions of State Planning Policy 3.1—Residential Design
Codes.
B. Fencing which does not meet the provisions of this local law, but was installed and compliant
as per the provisions of the repealed local law will be considered a sufficient fence provided
that it is maintained in good order.
3 April 2018 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 1177
SCHEDULE 2—Specifications for a Sufficient Fence on a
Commercial Lot and an Industrial Lot
[Clause 7(2)(b)]
Each of the following is a “sufficient fence” on a Commercial Lot and an Industrial Lot—
A. A fence constructed of galvanised or PVC coated rail-less link mesh, chain mesh or steel mesh
which satisfies the following specifications—
(a) the fence design being certified by a structural engineer (or manufacturer) as being
suitable for wind loadings found in a Region D Importance Level 2 area in accordance
with AS1170.2-2011;
(b) rail-less link, chain or steel mesh is to be to a height of 1800mm on top of which are to
be three strands of barbed wire carrying the fence to a height of 2400mm in accordance
with clause 11(3) of this local law;
(c) galvanised link mesh wire to be 2000mm in height;
(d) Vehicle entry gates shall provide an opening of not less than 3.6m. Gates shall be fixed
with a drop bolt and locking attachment.
B. A fence of a material identified in Clause 10 constructed to the minimum specifications
referred to in Schedule 1.
C. Fencing which does not meet the provisions of this local law, but was installed and compliant
as per the provisions of the repealed local law will be considered a sufficient fence provided
that it is maintained in good order.
SCHEDULE 3—Specifications for a Sufficient Fence on a
Rural Lot and on a Rural Residential Lot
[Clause 7(2)(c)]
Each of the following is a “sufficient fence” on a Rural Lot and a Rural Residential Lot—
A. In the case of a non-electrified fence, a sufficient fence on a Rural Lot or Rural Residential
Lot is a fence of posts and wire construction, the minimum specifications for which are—
(a) wire shall be high tensile wire and not less than 2.5mm. A minimum of five wires shall
be used, generally with the lower wires spaced closer together than the higher wires so
as to prevent smaller stock passing through, and connected to posts in all cases.
(b) posts shall be of indigenous timber or other suitable material including—
timber impregnated with a termite and fungicidal preservative;
standard iron star pickets; or
concrete;
cut not less than 1800mm long x 50mm diameter at small end if round or
125mm x 60mm if split or sawn. Posts to be set minimum 600mm in the ground and
1200mm above the ground; and
(c) strainer posts shall be not less than 2250mm long and 50mm diameter at the small end
(tubular steel to be 50mm in diameter) and shall be cut from indigenous timber or other
suitable material. These shall be placed a minimum of 1000mm in the ground.
B. An electrified fence having four wires only is a sufficient fence if constructed generally in
accordance with (A).
C. Fencing which does not meet the provisions of this local law, but was installed and compliant
as per the provisions of the repealed local law will be considered a sufficient fence provided
that it is maintained in good order.
————
Dated this 20th day of March 2018.
The Common Seal of the City of Karratha was affixed by authority of a resolution of the Council in
the presence of—
P. LONG, Mayor.
C. ADAMS, Chief Executive Officer.
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3 April 2018 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 1179
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995
BUSH FIRES ACT 1954
CITY OF KARRATHA
BUSH FIRE BRIGADES AMENDMENT LOCAL LAW 2018
Under the powers conferred by the Local Government Act 1995, Bush Fires Act 1954 and under all
other powers enabling it, the Council of the City of Karratha resolved on 22 January 2018 to make
the following local law.
PART 1—PRELIMINARY
Citation
This local law may be cited as the City of Karratha Bush Fire Brigades Amendment Local Law 2018.
Commencement
This local law comes into operation 14 days after the date of its publication in the Government
Gazette.
Principal local law
This local law amends the Shire of Roebourne Bush Fire Brigades Local Law, published in the
Government Gazette on 16 June 2003.
Title amended
The title of the local law is amended by deleting “Shire of Roebourne” and inserting “City of
Karratha”.
Clause 1.1 amended
In clause 1.1 delete “Shire of Roebourne” and insert “City of Karratha”.
Clause 1.4 inserted
Insert the following clause after clause 1.3—
1.4 Clause 1.2
(1) In clause 1.2(1)—
(a) Insert the following definitions in alphabetical order—
(i) “active member” is defined in clause 4.2;
(ii) “Bush Fire Control Officer” means a bush fire control officer appointed under the
Act;
(iii) “Department” means the department of the Public Service principally assisting in
the administration of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998;
(iv) “district” means the district of the local government;
(v) “normal brigade activities” is defined by section 35A of the Act;
(b) In the definition for “brigade member” delete “a fire fighting member” and insert “an
active member”;
(c) In the definition of “Bush Fire Operating Procedures” delete “Bush Fire” and insert
“Department Standard”, and delete “adopted by the local government”;
(d) In the definition of “Rules” delete “Rules Governing the Operation of Bush Fire Brigades”
and insert “Bush Fire Brigade Operational and Management Guide”;
(e) Delete the definition for “Authority”;
(f) Delete the definition for “fire fighting member”.
Clause 3 amended
Insert the following after clause 3.3—
3.4 First Schedule amended
The First Schedule is amended as follows—
(a) in the Schedule title, delete “RULES GOVERNING THE OPERATION OF BUSH FIRE
BRIGADES” and insert “BUSH FIRE BRIGADE OPERATIONAL AND MANAGEMENT
GUIDE”;
1180 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 3 April 2018
(b) delete “the Authority” and insert “the Department” in every instance;
(c) delete “FESA” and insert “Department” in every instance;
(d) delete “May” and insert “January” in every instance;
(e) in clause 3.1 of the First Schedule, delete “Bush Fire Operating Procedures” and insert
“Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Standard Operating Procedures”; and
(f) In clause 3.1 of the First Schedule, delete “fire fighting” and insert “normal brigade”.
In clause 5.4 of the First Schedule, delete “offices (whether vacant or not) of member” and insert
“members”
8. Additional clauses inserted
Insert the following clauses after clause 3—
“4. Part 2 amended
4.1 Clause 2.3 amended
In clause 2.3—
(a) delete all instances of “Bush Fire Operating Procedures” and insert “Fire and Emergency
Services Commissioner Standard Operating Procedures”;
(b) delete all instances of “other persons” and insert “all persons”.
4.2 Clause 2.7 amended
In clause 2.7 delete “Bush Fire Operating Procedures” and insert “Fire and Emergency Services
Commissioner Standard Operating Procedures”.
5. Part 3 amended
5.1 Clause 3.2 amended
In clause 3.2 delete “Bush Fire Operating Procedures” and insert “Fire and Emergency Services
Commissioner Standard Operating Procedures”.
5.2 Clause 3.7 amended
In clause 3.7 after the word “next” insert “annual”.
6. Part 4 amended
6.1 Clause 4.1 amended
In clause 4.1 delete “Fire fighting members” and insert “Active members”.
6.2 Clause 4.2 amended
Clause 4.2 is amended as follows—
(a) In the clause title, delete “Fire fighting” and insert “Active”.
(b) (2) Delete “Fire fighting” and insert “Active”.
(c) Delete “bush fire”.
6.3 Clause 4.3 amended
Clause 4.3 is amended as follows—
(a) After “render other” insert “voluntary”.
(b) Delete “fire fighting members” and insert “active members”.
6.4 Clause 4.4 amended
Clause 4.4 is amended as follows—
(a) In subclause (a) delete “15” and insert “16”.
(b) In subclause (d) delete “a fire fighting member” and insert “an active member”.
(c) In subclause (f) after “ranks under” delete “the Authority’s” and insert “the brigade’s”.
7. Part 6 amended
7.1 Clause 6.2 amended
In clause 6.2 delete “May” and insert “January”. ”
————
Dated this 20th day of March 2018.
The Common Seal of the City of Karratha was affixed by authority of a resolution of the Council in
the presence of—
P. LONG, Mayor.
C. ADAMS, Chief Executive Officer.
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