Fencing in Mernda

Mernda’s fencing work sits between brand new and middle aged: the suburb’s estates have been built steadily since the early 2000s, so some homes are getting their first fence while others are replacing one that went up two decades ago. This site connects Mernda owners with independent fencers, who quote, schedule and carry out the work themselves; see how enquiries are handled.

Mernda’s setting

Mernda, postcode 3754, is about 26 km north-east of the Melbourne CBD and east of Wollert. It is in the City of Whittlesea, which lists Mernda among its urban suburbs. Suburban development began in the early 2000s with estates such as Mernda Villages, Settlers Hill, Woodland Waters and Hawkstowe, and passenger trains returned to Mernda in August 2018 after almost 60 years.

Next door, Doreen is split between the City of Whittlesea and the Shire of Nillumbik according to the City of Whittlesea suburbs list. If your address is near that edge, confirm which council covers your lot before you look up its fence rules or pool registration process.

What Mernda owners usually ask for

• Replacing early estate timber fences. Paling fences built when the first estates went in can now show rotten posts, loose palings and leaning sections. The timber paling fence page explains post and plinth choices for a rebuild.
• Switching to steel. Some owners replace a worn timber boundary with Colorbond when both neighbours agree; see Colorbond fencing.
• New boundary fences. Newer stages still need first fences between recently built homes.
• Pool barriers and gates. Backyard pools and spas bring barrier work and self-closing gate hardware, covered on the pool fencing page.

Repair, replace or upgrade?

For a fence that has stood since the early 2000s, a fencer will usually start by testing the posts at ground level. If only a few have failed, replacing those posts and some palings may be enough. If most are soft, a full replacement avoids paying for repeated callouts. When the neighbour wants a different material or a higher fence, the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria explains that the owner who wants the upgrade generally pays the difference over a sufficient dividing fence, unless both agree to share it.

Estate guidelines and covenants

If your title carries a covenant about fencing, the City of Whittlesea notes that it can control side fence heights and override its corner fence limits. Check your title before agreeing on a taller fence or a different colour from the rest of the street, particularly on a corner lot.

Pools in Mernda backyards

Any pool or spa deeper than 30 cm must have a compliant barrier, be registered with council and have its barrier certified again every four years. If you are replacing a boundary fence that also forms part of a pool barrier, the replacement has to keep the barrier compliant, and the Building and Plumbing Commission says alterations to an existing pool barrier must comply with the regulations and may need a building permit. Plan the fence change with the barrier in mind.

Access and practical points

Where a side path is narrow, a fencer replacing a rear boundary may need access through a neighbour’s yard or over a side gate. Agree access with the neighbour before the work date. If a rear boundary backs onto a reserve or other council land, the City of Whittlesea asks owners to contact it for fencing advice.

Getting ready for a Mernda quote

1. Find out when your existing fence went up, if you can.
2. Probe a few posts at ground level and note any that move or feel soft.
3. Talk to the neighbour about material, height and timing.
4. Check your title for a fencing covenant.
5. Note any pool on either side of the fence.

For price ranges by material, read the cost guide for fencing in Wollert and nearby suburbs, and compare with the neighbouring Wollert page if your estate backs onto newer stages. Then request a fencing quote for your Mernda property with the fence length and a photo of its condition.

Send a job enquiry