Neighbourhood Disputes

Fences

If you have an issue with a fence, you can:

• Talk to your neighbour to reach an agreement about the fence or
• Apply for a Fencing Order

If you're unable to reach an agreement, you can apply for a Fencing Order with the Consumer and Commercial Division of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) or the the Local Court.

For more information on fencing, please see the Legal Aid website.

Neighbourhood Noise

If a neighbourhood noise is an issue, you can:

• Talk to your neighbour about the noise
• Contact your local council or
• Seek a Noise Abatement Order

More information on offensive noise can be found in the Noise Guide for Local Government.

Dogs and Cats

The general responsibilities of owners of dogs and cats are provided in the Companion Animals Act 1998. The main area of the Act that involves Local Courts, relates to dangerous dogs

An authorised Council officer or a Local Court may declare a dog as dangerous or menacing.

Appeals in relation to Dogs

The owner of a dog that has been declared dangerous or menacing by the Local Court can apply to the Local Court to revoke an order.

The owner of a “dangerous dog” can appeal to the Local Court against the:

• Declaration by the council that the dog is dangerous, or
• Against the refusal by the council to revoke its declaration that the dog is dangerous.

An appeal can be lodged with the Local Court within 28 days of the owner being given notice of the declaration or refusal to revoke the declaration.

A person against whom an order disqualifying the person from owning or being in charge of a dog may appeal to the District Court. The appeal must be made within 28 days of the date of the order.

Barking Dogs

If your complaint is in relation to a barking dog, you can:

• Talk to the owner
• Contact your local council or 
• Seek a Noise Abatement Order from the Local Court.

Apprehended Personal Violence Orders

An Apprehended Personal Violence Order (APVO) protects a person from violence, intimidation (including harassment) and stalking committed by someone that they are not, and have not, been in a domestic relationship with. This can include:

• a neighbour
• a co-worker
• a customer or a client
• a former friend
• a school bully
• any other person they have reason to fear.

For more information on applying for an AVO, see Getting an AVO on the Legal Aid website.

For more information on responding to an application for an AVO, see Defending an AVO on the Legal Aid website.

Further Information

For more information on neighbourhood disputes, see the Legal Aid website.