I'm just wanting to see if anyone has some advice/prior experience with disputes with neighbours re: interfering with drainage systems in the backyard?
We've been having an ongoing issue with our neighbour on the lower side of our property (also in Brisbane), with water which naturally flows over our land and unfortunately into his backyard. We have a substantial drainage system in place which diverts most of the water to the stormwater drain in the street, but with heavy downfalls it occasionally overflows...
After being away for a week, we've come home to find that the neighbour has accessed our property (without permission) and has interfered with this system by installing colourbond fencing on his side of the fence, and has dug out and dammed the drain into the ground so now the water pools and floods our backyard. Say nothing about the fact that he cut a gaping hole in our 10-foot steel fence (which we paid for to stop our dog from jumping into his yard) or for using our tools and building materials..
We've contacted Brisbane City Council and Urban Utilities who have been about as useful as a hip pocket on a singlet.
Any advice? Are we legally allowed to remove the obstructing fencing he's installed, to prevent our yard (and subsequently, our house) from flooding, or is there a legal avenue that we can pursue? Have tried discussing with the neighbour but he just thinks it's a game and isn't interested in resolving the issue...
We've been having an ongoing issue with our neighbour on the lower side of our property (also in Brisbane), with water which naturally flows over our land and unfortunately into his backyard. We have a substantial drainage system in place which diverts most of the water to the stormwater drain in the street, but with heavy downfalls it occasionally overflows...
After being away for a week, we've come home to find that the neighbour has accessed our property (without permission) and has interfered with this system by installing colourbond fencing on his side of the fence, and has dug out and dammed the drain into the ground so now the water pools and floods our backyard. Say nothing about the fact that he cut a gaping hole in our 10-foot steel fence (which we paid for to stop our dog from jumping into his yard) or for using our tools and building materials..
We've contacted Brisbane City Council and Urban Utilities who have been about as useful as a hip pocket on a singlet.
Any advice? Are we legally allowed to remove the obstructing fencing he's installed, to prevent our yard (and subsequently, our house) from flooding, or is there a legal avenue that we can pursue? Have tried discussing with the neighbour but he just thinks it's a game and isn't interested in resolving the issue...
