Your rights to a view reviewed

If your neighbour has planted a three-metre hedge or tall tree that blocks your sunshine or your view, here’s your chance to call for some protection by law.

The Attorney General’s office has called for submissions relating to a review of the Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006. Submissions close on 18 February.

The lobby group Problem Hedges Australia says the problem is widespread across Sydney and in regional towns and cities.

The group would like the Act amended so affected residents could apply to a court when trees or hedges cause severe light or view loss.

‘There are cases where people who were refused permission to build on a property on the grounds that the building would block a view, planted trees with the aim of blocking the view by other means and removing the barrier to planning approval,’ said Problem Hedges’ founder Julie Giannesini.

‘There are other cases where owners who lost a development application because of objections from neighbours, planted trees with the deliberate intention of blocking the neighbour’s view.’

Submissions should be addressed to:

Director, Legislation, Policy and Criminal Law Review Division, NSW Attorney General’s Department, GPO Box 6, Sydney NSW 2001 or emailed to Lpd_enquiries@agd.nsw.gov.au