new 'Hedgislation' on boundary hedge heights

Bowani Siam · 22nd May 2010, 05:46 PM

Awful, awful pun. Moving on...

Interesting new law that can dictate the final height of hedges along boundaries, just like walls or fences. No more inpenetrable Leyland Cypress barriers blocking views 'cause the neighbours lent you a cup of salt. Bummer if you're just trying to keep out the next-door voyeur....

Quote:

"THEY'RE known as ''spite hedges'': strategically planted shrubbery intended to block a neighbour's light or view. But under new laws, residents who maintain high hedges may be forced to cut them down or face criminal proceedings."

More:
Laws to trim 'spite hedges' down to size

Eric Frei · 22nd May 2010, 05:58 PM

Bound to happen and I agree, NSW is leading Australia here.

We already have some ground work in place on this, and UK has long ago dealt with same. I like it that people have fought this, sick of trees having the right of way and being used as weapons on neighbours. VPO trees on your property also reduce what you can do on your land and recently here in Brisbane a woman got her land value reduced by $437,500 due to a protected fig tree.

I'll copy your post to the existing thread but will leave this one open too.

http://www.treeworld.info/f14/trees-...ment-1407.html

Done it · 2nd August 2010, 10:06 PM

That Google Custom Search just saved me starting a new thread.

I heard on the radio the new law came in today but could only find this. New hedge laws should end neighbour rows - Local News - News - General - Southern Highland News

More Leylandii removals coming up I guess, great. That's all I seem to get lately, the tip prices have stopped the cocas palms for now.

Eric Frei · 2nd August 2010, 11:07 PM

They consider sunlight and views ... cut tall trees down not just hedges.

It's gonna be on now, you watch.

Quote:

HIGH hedges and tall tree lines that “severely’’ block sunlight or views could be a thing of the past.

Under new laws, residents who maintain high hedges may be forced to cut them down or face court.

From August 2, neighbours locked in disputes over trees will be able have their cases heard by the Land and Environment Court.

Highlands’ lobby group Hedgewise founder Jan Hainke cautiously welcomed amendments to the Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006 that Attorney-General John Hatzi?stergos said would provide “a simple, inexpensive and accessible process for resolving disputes about hedges”.

“Until it’s absolutely finalised we really don't know what the changes will mean,” Ms Hainke said.

“But we believe that this new law should bring hope to the victims of high hedges.”

“It appears to be an improvement to the original 2006 Act in that it has been extended to include rural residential properties. It also now includes loss of sunlight and views, whereas the original Act was focused on structural damage to property.”

Mr Hatzistergos said under the new laws the court must be satisfied that the applicant has made a reasonable effort to resolve the matter with the owner of the land on which the hedge is situated.

“Residents need to make every effort to negotiate in good faith with their neighbours to resolve disputes over problem trees or high hedges,” Mr Hatzistergos said.

“But where resolutions prove difficult, residents can now be safe in the knowledge they can apply to the courts to intervene without the need for a lawyer.”

Mr Hatzistergos said the legislation empowered the court to determine the appropriate height at which a hedge should be maintained by balancing the right to privacy versus the broader benefits of maintaining healthy urban vegetation.

“If a resident ignores the court’s order, councils will now have the power to step in and enforce the order and charge costs of enforcement and a prescribed administration fee,” he said.

The new laws were drafted after a statutory review of the Act, which received more than 230 submissions from residents, community groups, professional associations, councils and government agencies.

Under the Act, the Land and Environment Court has the power to order the removal or pruning of trees, payment of costs associated with carrying out a court order, the installation of root barriers and payment of compensation for damage caused by roots or trees.

Brent Ferris · 2nd August 2010, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Done it

That Google Custom Search just saved me starting a new thread.

I heard on the radio the new law came in today but could only find this. New hedge laws should end neighbour rows - Local News - News - General - Southern Highland News

More Leylandii removals coming up I guess, great. That's all I seem to get lately, the tip prices have stopped the cocas palms for now.

Come on now Done it - the ruling doesn't say you have to uproot them, just cut them lower - after all -- how many people can see over 8 ft or even 6 ft? Presumably a maximum height will be established, and rather than removals, you can have permanent clients for hedge trimming.

Brent Ferris · 2nd August 2010, 11:22 PM

What are your tip prices? In Toronto, for brush ours are $75/metric ton?

Done it · 3rd August 2010, 12:32 AM

Tip price for palms last time I was there $145 a metric ton.

Have you cut those things? They grow back in 6 months.

They planted a lot in some new estates here a while back, caused a few problems. I don't mind them, just hate removing them. Full of dove s***, dust, dead things.

Brent Ferris · 4th August 2010, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Done it

Tip price for palms last time I was there $145 a metric ton.

Have you cut those things? They grow back in 6 months.

They planted a lot in some new estates here a while back, caused a few problems. I don't mind them, just hate removing them. Full of dove s***, dust, dead things.

I haven't cut them, they don't grow in Canada, but if they grow back fast, doesn't that mean repeat work sooner?
We have Privet in Ontario, Forsythia and Honeysuckle. All grow 4 to 9 feet each year and need constant maintenance.

Your tip fees for palms are much higher than ours. Is that price only for palms, and others are lower? Is that because the palm leaves are more fibrous and take longer to break down?

22nd May 2010, 05:58 PM	#2
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: new 'Hedgislation' on boundary hedge heights Bound to happen and I agree, NSW is leading Australia here. We already have some ground work in place on this, and UK has long ago dealt with same. I like it that people have fought this, sick of trees having the right of way and being used as weapons on neighbours. VPO trees on your property also reduce what you can do on your land and recently here in Brisbane a woman got her land value reduced by $437,500 due to a protected fig tree. I'll copy your post to the existing thread but will leave this one open too. http://www.treeworld.info/f14/trees-...ment-1407.html __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

2nd August 2010, 10:06 PM	#3
Done it Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Australia. Posts: 780	Re: new 'Hedgislation' on boundary hedge heights That Google Custom Search just saved me starting a new thread. I heard on the radio the new law came in today but could only find this. New hedge laws should end neighbour rows - Local News - News - General - Southern Highland News More Leylandii removals coming up I guess, great. That's all I seem to get lately, the tip prices have stopped the cocas palms for now.

2nd August 2010, 11:22 PM	#6
Brent Ferris Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,557	Re: new 'Hedgislation' on boundary hedge heights What are your tip prices? In Toronto, for brush ours are $75/metric ton?

3rd August 2010, 12:32 AM	#7
Done it Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Australia. Posts: 780	Re: new 'Hedgislation' on boundary hedge heights Tip price for palms last time I was there $145 a metric ton. Have you cut those things? They grow back in 6 months. They planted a lot in some new estates here a while back, caused a few problems. I don't mind them, just hate removing them. Full of dove s***, dust, dead things.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Criminalizing Unsatisfactory Hedge Pruning\| Palo Alto USA	Eric Frei	ANNOUNCEMENTS	7	17th May 2010 05:51 PM
Hedge trimming, Kiwi style...	rick	Tree machinery and equipment	3	10th January 2010 09:07 AM
Help with boundary tree situation!	hugatree	Ask an Arborist here	4	19th September 2009 07:23 AM
Neighbours boundary dispute	angela	Ask an Arborist here	3	31st August 2008 09:21 PM
helicopter hedge tripper	juniorgilman	The Video Forum	8	26th August 2007 11:30 PM