Changes To The Law Regarding Disputes Between Neighbours Over Hedges And Trees

In September 2009 the NSW Government announced that by way of an amendment to the Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006 the Land and Environment Court would be given the power to resolve disputes between neighbours over high, dense hedges that severely affected views and sunlight.

When can you apply to the Court?

The amendments have now commenced, giving the Land and Environment Court a new but strictly limited jurisdiction to make orders to remedy a situation where the Court finds that a hedge on adjoining land is severely obstructing

• sunlight to a window of a dwelling, or
• any view from a dwelling.

A 'window' includes a glass sliding door, a door with a window, a skylight and any other similar thing.