Don’t Fence Me In

As someone who appreciates nature, a sense of space and community, living in the Dandenong Ranges fulfils these elements. It’s what I like to call ‘soultitude’.

Growing up in the area, I was blessed to free range in my neighbourhood. The bush blocks were huge, some like a mini national park, and the roads generally peaceful. Throughout the ’70s and during the early ’80s, my family and I pretty much knew all of our neighbours. There was many a social gathering to be had, often congregating in the neighbouring homes’ ample-sized backyards, with food shared around a bonfire or a barbecue.

There was a sense of connection, openness and flow.

Given the nature of the hills, it was also a time when fences were minimal. And with so much rock embedded in the ground, it was (and still is to a lesser extent) often used to construct rock walls. Most notably, the rocks lined driveways or acted as garden borders, sometimes even forming part of the houses themselves. Like those before us, it was making the most of and working in harmony with the natural environment.

Having moved away from the area for a while, then back again, things change. People come and go, houses get torn down and/or renovated, and vacant blocks are virtually non-existent. Most notably, there are lots of hideously ugly high paling fences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Generally speaking, these eyesores have been hammered, or more recently nail-gunned, into inner urban areas and housing developments where neighbours virtually live on top of one another. Yet somehow these ‘economical’ borders are spreading like a rampant virus into lush, naturally aesthetic areas.

I get that these fences mark people’s boundaries, as well as provide a sense of privacy and safety for themselves and any beloved pets. Although everyone has choice and designs things to suit their needs, is this kind of thinking really considering what the environment is all about, let alone your neighbours or the community?

Where is the true sense of connection, respect and balance?

Of course, with housing being slightly more affordable in outer Melbourne, a surfeit of people are literally heading for the hills. But living here comes with responsibility and understanding. It also comes with a community that will wholeheartedly welcome and support you, especially if you intend to do good things.

Change is fine. In fact, it’s welcome, providing you do it in alignment with what surrounds you. It’s about striking a balance between what your needs are and those of your immediate community. The idea is that change is an enhancement, it brings value. It’s not about having a detrimental impact, be it the land, animals or people.

Express yourself

When it comes to putting up a fence, to me the idea is that you clearly express your plans, then ask what your neighbours’ thoughts are, regardless of whether they are contributing to the cost or not. To clarify, when I say not contribute to the cost, I mean they are building a structure within their property boundaries, not along common ones.

Naturally, they may not like change whatsoever, but I have found it best to approach it in a way that creates open, respectful and honest discussion, where you’re considering all perspectives. For instance, a high solid form fence, particularly towards the front of a property, could disrupt visibility when exiting driveways and roads, even more so if they are on a hill or a precarious corner. While a fence might provide an added sense of security for your neighbours, it could put your home in a more vulnerable position by making it easier for uninvited guests to go unnoticed. These fences might also impact the life of established and healthy trees, which more or less hold our ecosystem together. They may even block the likes of sprawling vistas of mountains, or simply detract from the environment.

Aren’t these aspects supposed to be shared and appreciated?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The thing is, if you don’t speak up for fear of making waves, you won’t get heard. And that’s where it may come at a cost, in more ways than one. Recently, I was fortunate that some neighbours (after a bit of deliberation and changing of minds on their part) agreed to do some plantings rather than build ‘a great wall’ inside of an existing mesh fence. Their reasoning: “I won’t be able to talk to you anymore.”

There are so many alternatives to the likes of paling fences. For instance, if you have dogs, you could plant small native trees along or grow vines (fence-friendly, of course) on a mesh fence, although preferably not like those fences used in prisons, sportsgrounds or schoolyards. Not only do these open-style fences provide a verdant buffer zone, it attracts more bees, birdlife, and so on.

You could even consider natural fencing options, such as a low-growing hedge, open wood fencing, or a row of fruit trees, particularly if you don’t have pets. Depending on the location, you could also place small screens in front of bedrooms, be it bamboo or salvaged timber. That way, you have a sense of privacy, still let natural light in and are not completely closed off from the world, unless you are enamoured with living in what comedian and television presenter Tim ‘Rosso’ Ross aptly calls ‘Fortress Australis’.

Overall, the idea is that these more open or natural fencing alternatives create more flow from one property to the next. Not only is it in harmony with the environment, it’s more enjoyable for all. To me, it’s just plain common sense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

But unless you ask questions, create open conversations and listen to one another, you don’t know what it’s like for others; you don’t know what it’s going to be like from their side of the proposed fence. Even ask if you or they can walk over and stand on the other side to get a clearer idea of how it will look.

While this might be taking it to a deeper level, there’s a lot of truth to American author, speaker and change-maker Charles Eisenstein saying we don’t ask: “What is it like to be you?” enough. Yet it’s still relevant. We need to stop being so caught up in our ‘I-ness’.

I mean, how often do we hear of senseless disputes between neighbours? What does it really achieve? It only increases the separation.

That’s why we have to look at what is happening in our own backyard. We need to consider what role we’re playing, then take a look at the other side, and the bigger picture as well. 

Because the more I see these kinds of un-aesthetic walls, fences or enclosures, the more we disconnect from our neighbours, the community and the environment.

Aren’t we supposed to be tearing walls down, not building them up?

How do you feel about fences?

By Kristin Lee

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