Ipswich City Council

Home > Residents > Laws and Regulations >

Neighbourhood Issues

There are a range of issues that can impact the amenity of the neighbourhood.

Most people would like to resolve issues with their neighbours in a harmonious way privately and between themselves, but this doesn't always happen. The efforts by neighbours to resolve common complaints that arise in a neighbourhood can sometimes result in unhappy situations. The most common causes of disputes for neighbours are dividing fences and retaining walls, the nuisance caused by overhanging and intrusive trees, noise (including barking dogs) and nuisance caused by animals roaming.

Fencing Disputes

Neighour disputes over fences can be addressed by referring to the Dividing Fence Act 1953 which covers all aspects of fences construction and repair as well as civil obligations.

Overgrown Properties

Properties that are overgrown with vegetation can be a harbourage for vermin and/or a fire hazard. Vermin can carry and spread many types of disease to both humans and animals, and can also attract other animals such as snakes in search of food.

To ensure that properties are managed correctly and do not attract vermin, or become unsightly Council enforces the requirements of Local Law 18 (Nuisances).

Local Law 18 (Nuisances) has nuisance provisions for overgrown properties, visual pollution and air-borne hazards (material that is not held down safely and is likely to be a hazard).

If you are experiencing problems with a neighbour having long grass or declared plants on their property, there is something which can be done. Contact Council on (07) 3810 6666 during business hours, and provide us with:

your name
address
telephone number and
address of the property concerned

A Council officer will then visit the property and take any necessary action. If it is determined that a property is overgrown, Council officers may request the owner/s of the properties to clear the vegetation, to an extent and in a time specified in a notice.

If it is determined that the property is causing visual pollution, where objects or materials have accumulated to such an extent to detract from the visual amenity of the land, an occupier may be requested to carry out such work to remove unsightly objects or take other specific action to stop the nuisance.

If you have a problem with an overgrown allotment or you would like more information regarding these requirements call Council on (07) 3810 6666 or email council@ipswich.qld.gov.au.

Help Us Create an Even Better Ipswich

Within the Health, Parks and Recreation Department we have identified which issues we receive high numbers of complaints for. Listed below are the issues which could be discussed between neighbours without the need for Council's involvement in the matter. We have then developed a letterbox drop style of form which you may wish to use. Simply print out the form that relates to the issue you are concerned about, fill in your details if you wish (this is optional) and place it in your neighbours letterbox.

Once a person is made aware that an issue is causing a nuisance to their neighbours, most of the time, they will take steps to fix the problem.

Council strongly encourages the community to discuss these issues with their neighbours. If neighbours can't resolve these matters Council may be able to assist if it falls under an appropriate law or regulation or refer residents to the appropriate agency.

Contact Council on (07) 3810 6666 or email council@ipswich.qld.gov.au.

The Queensland Government Department of Justice and Attorney-General have developed a Neighbourhood Mediation Kit which provides advice on how to approach your neighbour to discuss a concern and tips on setting up mediation.

If neighbourhood disputes can not be resolved you may wish to take advantage of the Governments free Mediation Services. If so please contact the Dispute Resolution Branch on 1800 017 288 (toll free), or by post to:

Dispute Resolution Branch
GPO Box 149
BRISBANE QLD 4001

For more information on this service please visit the Queensland Government Department of Justice and Attorney-General website.

Last Updated 13 Nov 2009 |

Print this page |

To view PDF files you can download Adobe Reader for free. If you are unable to view this page owing to accessibility issues, please contact us.