COMMON BOUNDARIES ACT 1981 - NOTES
COMMON BOUNDARIES ACT 1981 - NOTES
Dictionary
(see s 1A)
Note 1 The Legislation Act
contains definitions and other provisions relevant to this Act.
Note 2 For example, the Legislation Act
, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms:
• ACAT
• director-general (see s 163)
• national land
• territory land
• territory law
• territory planning authority.
"basic fence", for division 2.1 (Fences requested by
occupiers)—see section 2.
"basic rural fence", for division 2.1 (Fences requested by
occupiers)—see section 2.
"basic urban fence", for division 2.1 (Fences requested by
occupiers)—see section 2.
"land sublease"—see the Planning Act 2023
, dictionary.
"new fence determination", for division 2.1 (Fences requested
by occupiers)—see section 2.
"occupier", in relation to a parcel of land, for division 2.1
(Fences requested by occupiers)—see section 2.
"parcel of land"—
(a) for this Act generally—includes land held under a land sublease;
and
(b) for division 2.1 (Fences requested by occupiers)—see
section 2A and section 2B.
"party wall", for part 3 (Party walls)—see section
27.
"registrar", for division 2.1 (Fences requested by
occupiers)—see section 2.
"repair cost determination", for division 2.1 (Fences requested
by occupiers)—see section 2.
"repair determination", for division 2.1 (Fences requested by
occupiers)—see section 2.
"rules", for division 2.1 (Fences requested by
occupiers)—see section 2.
"unleased land determination", for division 2.1 (Fences
requested by occupiers)—see section 2.
Endnotes
1 About
the endnotes
Amending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and
the amendment history. Current modifications are not included in the
republished law but are set out in the endnotes.
Not all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001
, part 11.3 are annotated in the amendment history. Full details of any
amendments can be obtained from the Parliamentary Counsel's
Office.
Uncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The
details of these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced
expiries are underlined in the legislation history and amendment
history.
If all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of
renumbered provisions gives details of previous and current numbering.
The endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.
2 Abbreviation
key
A = Act
|
NI = Notifiable instrument
|
AF = Approved form
|
o = order
|
am = amended
|
om = omitted/repealed
|
amdt = amendment
|
ord = ordinance
|
AR = Assembly resolution
|
orig = original
|
ch = chapter
|
par = paragraph/subparagraph
|
CN = Commencement notice
|
pres = present
|
def = definition
|
prev = previous
|
DI = Disallowable instrument
|
(prev...) = previously
|
dict = dictionary
|
pt = part
|
disallowed = disallowed by the Legislative
|
r = rule/subrule
|
Assembly
|
reloc = relocated
|
div = division
|
renum = renumbered
|
exp = expires/expired
|
R[X] = Republication No
|
Gaz = gazette
|
RI = reissue
|
hdg = heading
|
s = section/subsection
|
IA = Interpretation Act 1967
|
sch = schedule
|
ins = inserted/added
|
sdiv = subdivision
|
LA = Legislation Act 2001
|
SL = Subordinate law
|
LR = legislation register
|
sub = substituted
|
LRA = Legislation (Republication) Act
1996
|
underlining = whole or part not
commenced
|
mod = modified/modification
|
or to be expired
|
3 Legislation
history
This Act was originally a Commonwealth ordinance—the Dividing Fences Ordinance 1981
No 39 (Cwlth).
The Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988
(Cwlth), s 34 (4) converted most former Commonwealth
ordinances in force in the ACT into ACT enactments. This allowed the ACT
Legislative Assembly to amend and repeal the laws. This Act was converted into
an ACT enactment on 11 May 1989 (self-government day).
As with most ordinances in force in the ACT, the name was changed from
Ordinance to Act by the Self-Government (Citation of Laws) Act 1989
A1989-21, s 5 on 11 May 1989 (self-government day). The Act was
later renamed by the Land (Planning and Environment) Consequential Provisions) Act 1991
A1991-118 (see pt 2 div 5).
Before 11 May 1989, ordinances commenced on notification day unless
otherwise stated (see Seat of Government (Administration) Act 1910
(Cwlth), s 12).
After 11 May 1989 and before 10 November 1999, Acts commenced on their
notification day unless otherwise stated (see Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988
(Cwlth) s 25).
Commonwealth legislation
Common Boundaries Act A1981-39
notified 30 October 1981 (Gaz 1981 No
S226)
commenced 30 October 1981
as amended by
Magistrates Court Ordinance 1985
Ord1985-67
notified 19 December 1985 (Gaz 1985 No
S542)
commenced 1 February 1986 (Cwlth Gaz 1986 No
G3)
Magistrates Court (Amendment) Ordinance (No 3) 1986
Ord1986-74
notified 14 November 1986 (Gaz 1986 No
S592)
commenced 14 November 1986
Self-Government (Consequential Amendments) Ordinance 1989
Ord1989-38 sch 1
notified 10 May 1989 (Cwlth Gaz 1989 No
S160)
s 1, s 2 commenced 10 May 1989 (s 2
(1))
sch 1 commenced 11 May 1989 (s 2 (2) and Cwlth Gaz 1989
No S164)
Legislation after becoming Territory
enactment
Magistrates and Coroner's Courts (Registrar) Act 1991
A1991-44 sch 1
notified 20 September 1991 (Gaz 1991 No
S95)
s 1, s 2 commenced 20 September 1991 (s 2
(1))
sch 1 commenced 25 September 1991 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1991
No S103)
Land (Planning and Environment) (Consequential Provisions)
Act 1991
A1991-118 pt 2 div 5, sch 1 pt
5
notified 15 January 1992 (Gaz 1992 No
S3)
s 1, s 2 commenced 15 January 1992 (s 2
(1))
pt 2 div 5, sch 1 pt 5 commenced 2 April 1992 (s 2 (2)
and Gaz 1992 No 13)
Statute Law Revision (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1993
A1993-1 sch 1
notified 1 March 1993 (Gaz 1993 No S23)
commenced 1 March 1993
Bushfire (Amendment) Act 1993
A1993-74 sch 2
notified 22 October 1993 (Gaz 1993 No
S215)
commenced 22 October 1993 (s 2)
Public Sector Management (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 1994
A1994-38 sch 1 pt 18
notified 30 June 1994 (Gaz 1994 No
S121)
s 1, s 2 commenced 30 June 1994 (s 2
(1))
sch 1 pt 18 commenced 1 July (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1994 No
S142)
Land (Planning and Environment) (Amendment) Act 1997
A1997-7 s 10
notified 22 April 1997 (Gaz 1997 No
S92)
ss 1-3 commenced 22 April 1997 (s 2
(1))
s 10 commenced 24 June 1997 (s 2 (2))
Magistrates Court (Civil Jurisdiction) (Amendment) Act 1997
A1997-94
sch 3
notified 1 December 1997 (Gaz 1997 No
S380)
ss 1-3 commenced 1 December 1997 (s 2
(1))
sch 3 commenced 25 May 1998 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1998 No
S140)
Building (Amendment) Act (No 2) 1998
A1998-52 sch pt 1
notified 16 November 1998 (Gaz 1998 No
S205)
ss 1-3 commenced 16 November 1998 (s 2
(1))
sch pt 1 commenced 4 January 1999 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1999
No S1)
Utilities (Consequential Provisions) Act 2000
A2000-66 sch 1 pt 2
notified 20 December 2000 (Gaz 2000 No
S68)
s 1, s 2 commenced 20 December 2000 (IA s
10B)
sch 1 pt 2 commences 1 January 2001 (s 2 (1) and Gaz
2000 No S69)
Legislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001
A2001-44 pt 68
notified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)
s 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s
10B)
pt 68 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001
No S65)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2001 (No 2)
A2001-56
pt 3.8
notified 5 September 2001 (Gaz 2001 No
S65)
s 1, s 2 commenced 5 September 2001 (IA s
10B)
amdt 3.11 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2
(2))
pt 3.8 remainder commenced 5 September 2001 (s 2
(1))
Districts Act 2002
A2002-39 pt 1.2
notified LR 10 October 2002
s 1, s 2 commenced 10 October 2002 (LA s 75
(1))
pt 1.2 commenced 11 October 2002 (s 2)
Planning and Land (Consequential Amendments) Act 2002
A2002-56 sch 3 pt 3.2
notified LR 20 December 2002
s 1, s 2 commenced 20 December 2002 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 3 pt 3.2 commenced 1 July 2003 (s 2 and see Planning and Land Act 2002
A2002-55, s 2)
Construction Occupations Legislation Amendment Act 2004
A2004-13 sch 2 pt 2.5
notified LR 26 March 2004
s 1, s 2 commenced 26 March 2004 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 2 pt 2.5 commenced 1 September 2004 (s 2 and see Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004
A2004-12, s 2 and CN2004-8
)
Emergencies Act 2004
A2004-28 sch 3 pt 3.4
notified LR 29 June 2004
s 1, s 2 commenced 29 June 2004 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 3 pt 3.4 commenced 1 July 2004 (s 2 (1) and CN2004-11
)
Court Procedures (Consequential Amendments) Act 2004
A2004-60 sch 1 pt 1.10
notified LR 2 September
2004
s 1, s 2 commenced 2 September 2004 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 1 pt 1.10 commenced 10 January 2005 (s 2 and see Court Procedures Act 2004
A2004-59, s 2 and CN2004-29
)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2007
A2007-3 sch 3 pt 3.21
notified LR 22 March 2007
s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 1 July 2006 (LA s 75
(2))
sch 3 pt 3.21 commenced 12 April 2007 (s 2
(1))
ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal Legislation Amendment Act 2008 (No 2)
A2008-37 sch 1 pt 1.22
notified LR 4 September 2008
s 1, s 2 commenced 4 September 2008 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 1 pt 1.22 commenced 2 February 2009 (s 2 (1) and see
ACT Civil
and Administrative Tribunal Act 2008
A2008-35, s 2 (1) and CN2009-2
)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2009
A2009-20 sch 3 pt 3.16
notified LR 1 September 2009
s 1, s 2 commenced 1 September 2009 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 3 pt 3.16 commenced 22 September 2009 (s
2)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2011
A2011-3 sch 3 pt 3.9
notified LR 22 February 2011
s 1, s 2 commenced 22 February 2011 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 3 pt 3.9 commenced 1 March 2011 (s
2)
Administrative (One ACT Public Service Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2011
A2011-22 sch 1 pt 1.31
notified LR 30 June 2011
s 1, s 2 commenced 30 June 2011 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 1 pt 1.31 commenced 1 July 2011 (s 2
(1))
Nature Conservation Act 2014
A2014-59 sch 2 pt 2.2
notified LR 11 December 2014
s 1, s 2 commenced 11 December 2014 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 2 pt 2.2 commenced 11 June 2015 (s 2 (1) and LA s
79)
Planning and Development (University of Canberra and Other Leases) Legislation Amendment Act 2015
A2015-19 pt 4
notified LR 11 June 2015
s 1, s 2 commenced 11 June 2015 (LA s 75
(1))
pt 4 commenced 1 July 2015 (s 2 and CN2015-9
)
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (No 2)
A2017-14 pt 3
notified LR 17 May 2017
s 1, s 2 commenced 17 May 2017 (LA s 75
(1))
pt 3 commenced 24 May 2017 (s 2 (1))
Courts and Other Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2021
A2021-13 pt 3
notified LR 9 June 2021
s 1, s 2 commenced 9 June 2021 (LA s 75
(1))
pt 3 commenced 16 June 2021 (s 2 (3))
Planning (Consequential Amendments) Act 2023
A2023-36 sch 1 pt 1.14
notified LR 29 September 2023
s 1, s 2 commenced 29 September 2023 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 1 pt 1.14 commenced 27 November 2023 (s 2 (1) and
see Planning Act 2023
A2023-18, s 2 (2) and CN2023-10
)
4 Amendment
history
Long
title
long title am A1991-118
Preliminary
pt
1 hdg ins A1991-118
Name of
Act
s 1 sub A1991-118
Dictionary
s
1A ins A2007-3
amdt 3.104
Notes
s
1B ins A2007-3
amdt 3.104
Dividing
fences
pt 2 hdg ins A1991-118
Fences requested by
occupier
div 2.1 hdg (prev pt 2 div 1
hdg) ins A1991-118
renum R5 LA
Definitions for div
2.1
s 2 am Ord1985-67
; Ord1989-38
sch 1; A1998-52
sch pt 1; A2000-66
sch 1 pt 2; A2001-44
amdt 1.771; A2001-56
amdt 3.11, amdt
3.12
def basic rural fence
sub A2004-13
amdt
2.16
def basic urban fence
sub A2004-13
amdt
2.16
def city area ins A1991-118
sch 1 pt
5
om R8
LA
def conference ins A1997-94
sch
3
om A2004-60
amdt
1.41
def conference notice
ins A1997-94
sch
3
sub A2001-44
amdt 1.769; A2004-60
amdt
1.42
om A2009-20
amdt
3.38
def court am A1997-94
sch
3
om A2007-3
amdt
3.105
def inquiry ins A1997-94
sch
3
sub A2007-3
amdt
3.106
om A2009-20
amdt
3.38
def inquiry notice ins
A1997-94
sch
3
sub A2001-44
amdt 1.770; A2004-60
amdt
1.43
om A2009-20
amdt
3.38
def new fence
determination ins A2008-37
amdt
1.81
def occupier am Ord1989-38
sch
1
def registrar ins A1997-94
sch
3
def repair cost
determination ins A2008-37
amdt
1.81
def repair
determination ins A2008-37
amdt
1.81
def rules ins A2004-60
amdt
1.44
sub A2009-20
amdt
3.39
def unleased land
determination ins A2008-37
amdt 1.81
When land is a parcel of
land
s 2A ins A2001-56
amdt
3.12
am A2002-39
amdt 1.2; A2015-19
s 9; pars renum R18 LA
When land is not a parcel of
land
s 2B ins A2001-56
amdt
3.12
am A2014-59
amdt 2.6, amdt 2.7
Cost of erecting new fence includes cost of
removing existing fence
s 2C ins A2001-56
amdt 3.12
Cost of erecting fence includes fee payable
to surveyor
s 2D ins A2001-56
amdt 3.12
Dividing Fences Act (NSW) to cease to be in
force
s 3 om A2001-44
amdt 1.772
Application to ACAT—new fence
determination
s 4 am A1991-44
; A1991-118
; A1997-94
; ss renum R5 LA; A2004-60
amdts 1.45-1.48; ss renum R11 LA (see A2004-60
amdt
1.49)
sub A2008-37
amdt
1.82
am A2021-13
s 19
Application to ACAT—repair
determination
s 5 am A1997-94
; ss renum R5 LA; A2004-60
amdt
1.50
sub A2008-37
amdt
1.82
am A2021-13
s 19
Application to ACAT—repair cost
determination
s 6 am A1991-44
; A1997-94
; A2004-60
amdts 1.51-1.55; ss renum R11 LA (see A2004-60
amdt
1.56)
sub A2008-37
amdt
1.82
am A2017-14
s 9, s 10; A2021-13
s 20
Application to ACAT—unleased land
determination
s 7 am A1997-94
; ss renum R5 LA; A2004-60
amdt
1.57
sub A2008-37
amdt 1.82
Parties to
applications
s 8 am A1991-44
; A1997-94
; ss renum R5 LA; A2004-60
amdts 1.58-1.61; ss renum R11 LA (see A2004-60
amdt 1.62)
sub A2008-37
amdt
1.82
am A2021-13
s 21
Non-compliant
notices
s 9 hdg sub A2004-60
amdt
1.63
s 9 am Ord1985-67
; Ord1986-74
; A1991-118
; A1997-94
; A2004-60
amdt 1.64, amdt
1.65
reloc to Magistrates Court (Civil Jurisdiction) Rules 2004
pt 18 as s 257A by A2004-60
amdt
1.66
ins A2008-37
amdt
1.82
sub A2021-13
s 22
ACAT powers—new fence
determination
s 10 am Ord1985-67
; Ord1986-74
; A1991-118
om A1997-94
ins A2008-37
amdt 1.82
ACAT powers—repair
determination
s 11 am Ord1989-38
; A1991-44
; A1991-118
; A1997-94
; A2004-60
amdts 1.67-1.69; ss renum R11 LA (see A2004-60
amdt 1.70)
sub A2008-37
amdt
1.82
am A2021-13
s 23; pars renum R20 LA
ACAT powers—repair cost
determination
s 12 am A1997-94
; ss renum R5 LA; A2004-60
amdt
1.71
sub A2008-37
amdt 1.82
ACAT powers—unleased land
determination
s 13 am A1991-118
om A1997-94
ins A2008-37
amdt 1.82
Applications for variation of certain
determinations
s 14 am A1991-118
om A1997-94
ins A2008-37
amdt 1.82
Dealing with
variations
s 15 am A1991-118
; A2007-3
amdt
3.107
sub A2008-37
amdt
1.82
om A2021-13
s 24
Court not bound by rules of
evidence
s 16 am A1991-118
om A1997-94
Adjournment of
inquiries
s 17 am A1991-118
om A1997-94
Service of
documents
s 18 am Ord1989-38
; A1991-118
; A1994-38
; A1997-94
; pars renum R5 LA; A2004-60
amdt 1.72; A2011-3
amdts 3.103-3.105; A2011-22
amdt 1.97
Apportionment of liability of joint
lessees
s 19 am A1997-94
; A2004-60
amdt 1.73; A2008-37
amdt 1.83; A2011-3
amdt 3.106
Ex parte orders may be set
aside
s 20 om A1997-94
Div 2.3 not
affected
s 21 am A1991-118
; A1993-74
; A1997-7
sub A2004-28
amdt 3.7
Directions about entry by people on
land
s 22 am A1991-118
sub A2008-37
amdt 1.84
Fences required by
authority
div 2.2 hdg (prev pt 2 div 2
hdg) ins A1991-118
renum R5
LA
sub A2002-56
amdt 3.17
Boundary between leased and unleased
land
s 23 ins A1991-118
am A2002-56
amdt 3.19; A2023-36
amdt 1.85
Boundary between 2 parcels of leased
land
s 24 ins A1991-118
am A2002-56
amdt 3.19; A2023-36
amdt 1.85
Notice under div
2.2
s 25 ins A1991-118
am A2011-3
amdt 3.107
Noncompliance with notice under div
2.2
s 26 ins A1991-118
am A2002-56
amdt 3.18, amdt 3.19; A2011-3
amdt 3.107; A2023-36
amdt 1.85
Damage by fire to
fences
div 2.3 hdg ins A2004-28
amdt 3.8
Damage by fire to dividing
fence
s 26A reloc from Bushfire Act 1936
s 11 by A2004-28
amdt
3.6
sub A2008-37
amdt 1.85
Party
walls
pt 3 hdg ins A1991-118
Meaning pf party wall in pt
3
s 27 ins A1991-118
am A2004-13
amdt 2.17
Erection of party
walls
s 28 ins A1991-118
am A2002-56
amdt 3.19; A2004-13
amdt 2.18; A2011-3
amdts 3.108-3.112; A2023-36
amdt 1.85
Miscellaneous
pt
4 hdg ins A2001-44
amdt
1.773
om A2004-60
amdt 1.74
Approved
forms
s 29 ins A2001-44
amdt
1.773
(6)-(9) exp 12 September 2002 (s 29
(9))
om A2004-60
amdt 1.74
Schedule
sch am
Ord1985-67
; A1991-44
; A1993-1
; A1997-94
om A2001-44
amdt 1.774
Dictionary
dict ins
A2007-3
amdt
3.108
am A2008-37
amdt 1.86, amdt 1.87; A2011-3
amdt 3.113; A2011-22
amdt 1.98; A2023-36
amdt
1.86
def basic fence ins A2007-3
amdt
3.108
def basic rural fence
ins A2007-3
amdt
3.108
def basic urban fence
ins A2007-3
amdt
3.108
def conference notice
ins A2007-3
amdt
3.108
om A2009-20
amdt
3.40
def inquiry ins A2007-3
amdt
3.108
om A2009-20
amdt
3.40
def inquiry notice ins
A2007-3
amdt
3.108
om A2009-20
amdt
3.40
def land sublease ins
A2015-19
s
10
sub A2023-36
amdt
1.87
def new fence
determination ins A2008-37
amdt
1.88
def occupier ins A2007-3
amdt
3.108
def parcel of land
ins A2007-3
amdt
3.108
sub A2015-19
s
11
def party wall ins A2007-3
amdt
3.108
def registrar ins A2007-3
amdt
3.108
def repair cost
determination ins A2008-37
amdt
1.88
def repair
determination ins A2008-37
amdt
1.88
def rules ins A2007-3
amdt
3.108
def unleased land
determination ins A2008-37
amdt 1.88
5 Earlier
republications
Some earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1
refers to the publication order.
Since 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published
in electronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of
authorised republications have also been published in printed format. These
republications are marked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and
printed versions of an authorised republication are identical.
Republication No
|
Amendments to
|
Republication date
|
1
|
A1991-44 |