Australian Capital Territory Consolidated Acts

COMMON BOUNDARIES ACT 1981 - NOTES

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.

"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.

"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", 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 and expiries are listed in the legislation history and the amendment history. These details are underlined. Uncommenced provisions and amendments are not included in the republished law but are set out in the last endnote.

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am = amended	om = omitted/repealed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 No 21, s 5 on 11 May 1989 (self-government day). It was later renamed by the Land (Planning and Environment) (Consequential Provisions) Act 1991 (see s 20).

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).

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) 2001 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))

4     Amendment history

Title
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

When land is not a parcel of land
s 2B     ins A2001-56 amdt 3.12

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

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

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

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

Dealing with applications
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

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

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

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

Boundary between 2 parcels of leased land
s 24     ins A1991-118
    am A2002-56 amdt 3.19

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

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

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
    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 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
    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	30 September 1991
2	A1993-1	1 March 1993
3	A1994-38	31 January 1995
4	A1997-94	1 June 1998
5	A2001-56	18 January 2002
6	A2001-56	13 September 2002
7	A2002-39	11 October 2002
8*	A2002-56	1 July 2003
9	A2004-28	1 July 2004
10	A2004-28	1 September 2004
11	A2004-60	10 January 2005
12	A2007-3	12 April 2007
13	A2008-37	2 February 2009
14*	A2009-20	22 September 2009
15	A2011-3	1 March 2011

© Australian Capital Territory 2011

Australian Capital Territory

A1981-39

Republication No 16

Effective: 1 July 2011

Republication date: 1 July 2011

Last amendment made by A2011-22





Unauthorised version prepared by ACT Parliamentary Counsel's Office

About this republication

The republished law

This is a republication of the Common Boundaries Act 1981

(including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on 1 July 2011

. It also includes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to 1 July 2011

.

The legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3 and 4.

Kinds of republications

The Parliamentary Counsel's Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT legislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):

              • authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies

              • unauthorised republications.

The status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial amendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication. Editorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by an Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The changes are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into line, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.

This republication includes amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).

Uncommenced provisions and amendments

If a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol  U  appears immediately before the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law are accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more information, see the home page for this law on the register.

Modifications

If a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the symbol  M  appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying provision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation Act 2001, section 95.

Penalties

At the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $110 for an individual and $550 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).

Australian Capital Territory

Common Boundaries Act 1981

Endnotes

Australian Capital Territory

Common Boundaries Act 1981