12.0 Residential fences and gates
Page Content
Historic fences or gates may form part of the significance of a place and their retention is encouraged. Maintenance and repair, including the partial reconstruction of missing or deteriorated elements is desirable over the complete replacement of significant fences and gates. Maintenance, repair and spot replacement are exempt from requiring a permit.
See section '1 Maintenance and Repair' for more information.
Historically, fence heights have generally ranged from 800 mm (for small cottages with a narrow frontage) to 1370 mm (for more commanding buildings with wider frontages). Fences 1050 mm high were also very common. In most cases, fences of this height will provide an adequate barrier and will not overly obscure the building.
A useful guideline on designing new fences at heritage places is the Hobart City Council publication
'New Fences for Old Houses: A guide to designing a traditional fence for your home'. In places assessed against criterion (c) – potential to yield information – consideration should be given to ensuring new post holes or footings do not impact on significant archaeological values.
12.1 New fences and gates
Installing a new fence and/or gate where the work:
-
will reconstruct a historically documented former fence in matching form, detail and material finish; or
-
will replace a non-significant fence with a more sympathetic alternative; and
-
does not impact on heritage material; and
-
is on the same or similar alignment; and
-
is sympathetic to the character, presentation and setting of the place; and
-
is of similar height and length as the previous fence/gate; and
-
is consistent with fence heights and character of the streetscape.
| Installing new fences and gates where there may be an impact on heritage significance.
Appropriate outcomes:
New fences and gates should be sympathetic to the significance of the place. They should complement the presentation or setting of the place, its period of construction and its character. In general:
-
the height of the fence should not obscure public views of the building;
-
the design should complement the character of the place (eg: an imposing 19thC public building may traditionally have had an impressive and intricate cast iron fence, so constructing a timber picket fence at such a place would be inconsistent with the character of the building); and
-
materials used should be of a type that complements the significance of the place (eg: a wire mesh fence may not be suitable for a 19thC house, but may be suitable for a Californian Bungalow style house);
-
for places assessed against criterion (c) – potential to yield information – the works will not impact on significant archaeological values.
|
12.2 Maintaining and repairing fences and gates that are of significance
Maintaining and repairing significant fences and gates where:
-
the repairs do not involve large-scale replacement of historic fabric; and
-
the fabric being replaced is either missing, damaged or deteriorated beyond further maintenance, and will be replaced to match the original fabric in form and detail; and
-
there will be no change to design elements of significance including height, form, etc.
| Maintaining and repairing significant fences and gates where there is large scale replacement or changes are proposed to design elements.
Appropriate outcomes:
Maintenance and repair of these elements is part of the continuous protective care of the place and its setting.
Significant fabric and details should be recorded and sampled to enable restoration or reconstruction. |
12.3 Reconstructing significant fences
| Reconstructing significant fences and gates where the works will return the place to a known earlier state by the introduction of new material. New materials must be of matching detail, fixing and finish. | A discretionary permit application will not
normally be required. Please contact Heritage Tasmania for advice.
|
12.4 Removing a significant fence/gate
Where:
-
it poses an immediate threat to persons or property or where threats to safety are obvious and unmistakeable; and
-
it is reinstated or replaced in matching form, detail, and material.
| Removing a significant fence or gate.
Appropriate outcomes:
Retention of significant fences and gates is the preferred option. To preserve the historic and representative values of a place, significant fences should be retained and incorporated where works are proposed as part of a broader development.
Where total removal is proposed, see section '4.3 Total demolition' for appropriate outcomes. |
12.5 Extending a significant fence
Where the extension is:
-
of the same form, detail and material; and
-
of matching height; and
-
where the location and extent is consistent with the historic landscape character of the place; and
-
where there will be no impact on significant archaeological values or other heritage significance.
| Extending a significant fence where different forms, details or materials are used.
Appropriate outcomes:
Fence extensions should be of a sympathetic form and finish.
For further appropriate outcomes, see section '12.1 – New fences and gates'. |
12.6 Maintaining, repairing, and replacing fences and gates that are of no significance
| Maintaining, repairing or replacing non-significant fences where the works do not impact on significant fabric or setting of the significant historic structures. | Replacing non-significant fences with new fencing (eg: replacing timber palings) that impacts the setting or significance of the place.
Appropriate outcomes:
For appropriate outcomes, see section ‘12.1 – New fences and gates’. |
Case Study (Fence): New fence for a Federation house, Bellerive
Over a number of years, restoration works have been carried out to restore this c.1905 house.
One area of works was the construction of new front and side fences to the property. A 1200mm high timber picket fence was erected, sympathetic in style and materials to the Federation style of the house.
Case Study (Fence): A former rectory, Hobart
In 2010, alterations and additions were carried out to this substantial former rectory. The building had a mid-twentieth century concrete blockwork wall which was inconsistent with the significance of the place. This was replaced with a new fence more fitting of the period, scale and detailing of the house.