Brushwood fence by Brushwood Fencing Australia in Sydney, NSW.

Brushwood Fencing Australia gave Australian Fencing Awards some key information on their Brushwood fence project.

Challenges involved in the project

• The challenges on this project were many. We had an area over two blocks of land that was heavily sloped with poor drainage.
• When the survey pegs were marked out it was also discovered the neighbours water tanks had accidentally been built just beyond his boundary. Our site foreman had the difficult task of acting as the diplomat so an amicable agreement could be reached between our client and the neighbour regarding location of fencing and fencing heights. It should be noted that the majority of this fencing is 3 to 4 meters high.
• To have fencing at such heights with a product that weighs about 75kg over every 2 meters at 1.8m high dry weight is a challenge in itself, then you add the additional height, heavy slope and poor drainage on top it does become demanding.
• Some of the extreme heights were actually pool compliant related and other sections were mainly to ensure total privacy. Due to existing walls, rock shelves and tree zones that were considered climbable much discussion and deliberation over pool compliance was a detail that had to be carefully factored in to the build.
• The install process was over various stages as we were actively working in conjunction with the client about the ever-evolving design process. Through out all stages of install, landscapers were always on-site building walls and planting out large barren areas, so much consideration had to be given as to not disturb or interfere with their work.

Products used on the project

• Premium brushwood panels cut to size on site supplied by Brushwood Fencing Australia
• 40NB, 50NB and 65NB galvanized posts with 20NB galvanized cross rails supplied by Waratah Steel
• Galvanized fixings throughout supplied by Hardware & General
• 6mm galvanized flat bar supplied by Edcon Steel
• H4 treated pine sleepers supplied by Hardware & General
• Magna Latch Pool Lock supplied by D & D Technologies
• Polythene Damp Course (better known as snake skin) as a water proof membrane to protect the top of fence as once the brushwood roll top from is installed there’s no sunlight or air flow to the top of the fence and we want to prevent it from rotting.

Outcome of the project

• Our team successfully overcame many obstacles during this build and achieved a high-quality end result that the client was delighted with. In fact, the client has requested we do further work on another area there next year after the landscapers expand their works even further.
• The team completed each stage on time and worked along the landscapers in harmony.
• The neighbours (on both sides) were also very pleased not only with the outcome but the hassle-free process of it.
• Targets were met in relation to heights, pool compliance, privacy and design which was also an essential part of the overall concept ensuring the fencing as a hardscape played a role in keeping balance between the natural environment and surrounds.

This project by Brushwood Fencing Australia is a finalist in the Australian FENCING Awards 2021.