Farm and rural fencing
The state's example of a sufficient rural fence is post and wire, and Yarra Ranges' farmland overlays don't require a planning permit for a rural post and wire fence under 1.8 m.
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What a sufficient farm fence is
The Fences Act applies to farm land too. The state's example of a sufficient rural dividing fence is a wire and post fence, and where a farm meets a house block, the farm standard is the sufficient one. Neighbours share that cost equally; whoever wants more pays the difference.
Checked 25 October 2026 against Fences Act 1968 (Vic), authorised version 072 and Victorian Government: fencing in Victoria.
The landscape overlays
Farmland at the hills' edges may be under one of Yarra Ranges' farmland landscape overlays, SLO2, SLO5 and SLO6. Under all three, a fence needs a planning permit unless it is a rural post and open-weave wire fence under 1.8 m. A solid or close-mesh fence on that land is a permit question.
Checked 25 October 2026 against Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedules to Clause 42.03 (SLO1–6, SLO22, SLO23).
Barbed wire and wildlife
Barbed wire is allowed beside a street or public open space on a block of 2,000 m² or more used mainly for raising livestock; otherwise it has to be set back 150 mm or kept at least 2 m up. The state's 1999 Land for Wildlife note on fencing says gliding possums and birds are hurt more often by snagging on barbed wire than by electric fences, and recommends plain wire wherever possible.
Checked 25 October 2026 against Building Regulations 2018 (Vic), authorised version 031 and Land for Wildlife note LW0029: fencing wildlife habitat (1999).
Before the post-hole digger
An enquiry to Before You Dig Australia is free, and BYDA says to lodge one even when replacing an existing fence. The plans may not show services inside your boundary, such as a line to a shed or a bore.
Checked 25 October 2026 against Before You Dig Australia: for homeowners and Before You Dig Australia: staying safe when working with fences.
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