I’ve been waiting a long time for our backyard to be fixed – over 3 years in fact.
It’s been a real hardship and we haven’t even wanted to look out the window for years.
But let me start from the beginning …
The Saga Begins
When we shifted in at the end of 2009, the backyard was terraced with an easement at the back. At that stage Miss 20 was only 13, and loved her trampoline – but there wasn’t even enough level ground to set it up.
However, at least it was neat and tidy.
By the end of 2013, two houses had been built upstream from us – and although both had the same easement, they filled until they had a level backyard.
So we decided to fill too. Exciting times!
But before we even had a chance to turf, somebody made a complaint about *our* yard (not the neighbours though, strangely enough), and we were forced to remove all the fill as we were told there was no way it would ever be allowed, even if, by some miracle, the neighbours managed to get theirs approved.
Then began the long wait to see how things would pan out …
Eventually the neighbours got done for their illegal filling – and managed to get it approved. I know!
We were then able to at least begin the long and laborious process to get an approval of our own.
However now our neighbourhood had become so built up, access was now an issue. The only way we could get fill into our backyard was either by wheelbarrowing it up the side of the house (which would take years!); or through our rear neighbours’.
But as luck would have it, they were having their own legal battles with the local authority, so although they wanted to help, couldn’t allow us access until that was resolved.
Finally the happy day came a couple of weeks ago – though I had strong feelings of deja vu! Our good friends at All Hours Earthmoving helped make our dreams a reality.
We laid turf on the weekend – next step will be a fence, and at last I will be able to have a vegie patch again.
But at long last our backyard saga has finally ended, and Seth and I both look pretty happy about that!
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What a saga indeed. No doubt there are reasons for the regulations but dealing with local government can be such a trial. You won’t know yourselves once the turf settles and you have a much greater living space.
You can say that again Jan!!! It did seem pretty crazy while we were waiting – like common sense had left the building…
So happy this all worked out! What a stunning result. Mr Seth definitely looks happy to have lush new turf to roll around on xxxxx
It’s such a relief and I am enjoying have a cup of tea out there in the sunlight every day 🙂
There’s nothing worse than building type stuff that goes on and on. My Morningside apartment complex in Brissy had building issues (we bought the units new) and I had builders at my place (and things in state of disarray) for 3 of my last 4yrs there. The original builders went bankrupt three times and the owner kept popping up with his new company and finally the BSA got involved and told them to leave and then fixed our properties. Sadly, though mine was one the builders had started, the BSA builders left mine until the end to fix so I had a half-finished verandah for about a year. I LOVED my apartment when I moved in but after a few years of that I just wanted to be gone.
Your backyard looks great and I’m glad it’s finally done! #teamlovinlife
We have just purchased a vacant block of land with an easement at the back, so I’m praying that we won’t through the BS to make it look tidy. The red tape that you have go through with local authorities is incredible! They are truly a bunch of idiots in my opinion. Your yard looks so much better. Good job. 🙂 #TeamLovinLife
How exciting to finally have your backyard dilemmas over! Enjoy the veggie garden planting!
Ingrid
OMG – what a saga! So glad you’ve finally got it sorted and can have your veggie patch and a useable backyard! 🙂 #TeamLovinLife
Yay for a real yard! It’s not a real yard if you can’t put a trampoline in it haha. (Sorry to people with courtyards and apartments, it’s not for me!)
Oh I am so happy for you that it’s all finally come together! What an annoying and depressing process you went through! It looks great!
It looks lovely but I bet it’s been a big headache – especially having to undo the first lot of infill – don’t you hate complainers and councils??? Glad you look like getting a happy ending out of it all and nice that the rear neighbour gave you access. Our neighbour has just built a huge enclosed patio behind us – not pretty at all (but legal)!
That’s so exciting (FINALLY!), Janet. Enjoy your garden now, xxx
A saga indeed, but that’s some pretty lush grass you have there. Looking forward to the veggie garden updates… #TeamLovinLife
Great to hear you’ve got your back yard looking the way you want Janet. Loving the thick green grass. Vegie gardens are the best! #TeamLovinLife