Linda Hall: Napier’s fence height proposal has one big problem - no one is at home any more

Napier City Council's proposed new height limits on fences has caused quite a stir. Photo / Sideswipe

OPINION

Fences - some homes have them, some don’t.

Some fences are very high, some are low, some are partial.

They are made from all sorts of material, brick, wood, steel, and corrugated iron to name a few.

Is a hedge a fence?

Will a hedge have to conform to Napier City Council’s proposed new height limits of as low as 1.2 metres for fences on new residential properties as part of its Proposed District Plan?

The proposal has caused quite a stir. The story written by Hawke’s Bay Today reporter James Pocock was picked up by national television.

Some people are outraged. The feedback on the council’s social media page was harsh.

So were the comments from some of the television show hosts.

No one, it seems, can understand why the council wants to have control over the height of their fence.

The council says in its post that “the standard only applies for those erecting new fences in residential areas so, if it is adopted, it will only affect those people”.

So does that mean if you already have a fence and it’s a bit shabby and you pull it down to build a new one, you will have to comply with the new rules? No.

Linda Hall is assistant editor at Hawke's Bay Today. Photo / Warren Buckland

What if a gang buys a pad in a new part of Te Awa? Do we think they’ll keep their fences 1.2 metres high?

I hate gangs breaking laws but, if this hypothetical were to ever play out, I would find myself supporting them.

The reality is that, if Joe Bloggs wants to build a 1.8m fence on his property, he should be allowed to.

There are, of course, two sides to the story.

Having a residential area with fences all the same height will make Napier look pretty.

But would it feel safe? That’s the big issue, it seems, for many of the people posting comments on Facebook.

Again, there are two sides to the safety issue as well.

Some people feel more secure with no fence at the front of their property so neighbours can see what’s happening when they are out.

That actually doesn’t work. I know because we lived in a house with no front fence and got burgled.

You would have to live on a property with absolutely no privacy for neighbours to be able to see what was happening at the front and back of your house.

Then, of course, there’s the matter of keeping dogs and children in your property.

A council spokesperson told Pocock that “being able to see your neighbours also helps to build connected communities where people are more likely to look out for one another, especially in times of crisis”.

I get that. And in days gone by, that’s what happened. Mum was home with the children, they chatted to their neighbours over the fence while hanging out the washing.

But times have changed. Mum goes to work, the kids go to daycare, kindy or school. There is no one home.

Most criminals are not stupid. If they can see your house, look in your windows and your backyard, it will be so easy for them to work out there is no one about.

In my opinion, it will not connect communities, it will invite crime and make people feel unsafe in their homes.

I’m sure the council has a lot of more pressing issues it could be putting its resources into at the moment.

Leave the fence heights to homeowners.

Linda Hall is a Hastings-based assistant editor for Hawke’s Bay Today and has 30 years of experience in newsrooms. She writes regularly on arts and entertainment, lifestyle and hospitality, and pens a column.