FENCES and unruly and intimidating behaviour are the leading causes of disputes between neighbours in Wyndham.
Figures from the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria (DSCV) reveal there were 401 complaints related to fixing, replacing or agreeing to the cost of fences in the 12 months to July, with 31 referred to mediation.
Behavioural disputes, including threats and bullying, accounted for 106 calls and there were 54 calls about overhanging trees and creepers, 44 related to property issues such as theft or damage, and 12 regarding animals.
There were 663 calls in total from Wyndham residents in 2011-12, the third highest of any municipality in the state.
Centre manager Gina Ralston said arguments over the cost of new fences continued to be a major cause of angst.
The centre provides free advice on how to resolve disputes and assistance including phone conferences, letters, negotiation or mediation.
“Over 85 per cent of disputes mediated at DSCV are able to reach agreement,” Ms Ralston said.
“Disputes can have a very detrimental effect on people’s lives, so we want to assist people to reach an agreement as quickly as possible, without going through an expensive and costly court process.”
RMIT University senior lecturer Kathy Douglas, who specialises in dispute resolution and also acts as a DSCV mediator, said communication and understanding were the keys to healthy relations.
“A lot of people just get angry,” she said. “They’ll only want to look at things from their point of view, but it’s just as important to understand the other side of the conflict.
“If you get involved in a dispute, it’s important not to blame one another but to sit down and work through the issues first and hopefully find a solution.”
For more information, call 9603 8370 or go to disputes.vic.gov.au.
