Encroachments

Council is responsible for maintaining access to public spaces such as roads and reserves for the community to use and enjoy. Where a person uses some of this land for their own private use, it's considered an encroachment.

Some encroachments may be identified and relatively easily fixed, perhaps a fence or a garden shed built a few feet outside the property boundary. Other encroachments may involve full structures or dwellings partly or wholly on Council land.

Privately installed fences or gates blocking public access to walkways or drainage reserves are also considered an encroachment.

Whilst some of these encroachments may appear minor, they prevent Council staff from carrying out essential maintenance and works, impede fire management activities, prevent public use of the land and present a risk to public safety.

What do I do if I think someone is encroaching on Council land?

The best thing to do is to report it to us so we can check it out. Any details you report are confidential and protected by the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014.

Report an encroachment