Think basic property security and barbed wire is one of the first images that comes to mind. It is an intuitive defence against would-be intruders, which is why it stays popular for protecting and marking out commercial and rural properties.
But adding barbed wire is not a simple one-step job, and it is not legal everywhere. It carries a genuine injury risk, so the rules around it are tighter than for a plain fence. Worth understanding before you plan for it.
What barbed wire actually is
Barbed wire is a steel fencing wire with sharp points or edges set at regular intervals. It is used to build inexpensive stock and boundary fences, or run along the top of a fence or wall to add another layer of security.
There are two common types:
- High tensile wire suits wider post spacing because it stays taut across the distance, and works well alongside other high tensile wires. Because it runs continuous with no joins, there is less risk of injury when straining it.
- Standard (soft) barbed wire is more forgiving to work with and pairs well with netting fences, though it does not hold tension over long spans the way high tensile does.
Why people use it
The appeal is security. Anyone or anything trying to push through or climb over barbed wire meets real discomfort, and the regular points mean there is always contact. That makes it an effective deterrent on sites where a plain fence would not be enough.
It is also quick to build. At its simplest a barbed wire fence needs only posts, wire and fixings. The trickiest and most important part is the corner post and bracing assembly, which is what holds the whole run in tension. There are a few ways to anchor the wire to a corner post:
- Hand-knotting, the most common
- Crimp sleeves, good for mid-run repairs but not for wrapping a corner
- Wire vise
- Wire wrap
Because the whole point of barbed wire is to pose a risk, it is best installed by a crew that does it regularly rather than as a weekend project.
The rules you need to know
This is the part people get caught on. Because barbed wire is a hazard to people and animals, the need for security has to be weighed against the risk to passers-by, and different areas set different restrictions.
- In residential areas around Newcastle, fences generally cannot include barbed or razor wire. For a home that needs more security, height, mesh choice and gates do the work instead.
- In business and industrial zones, barbed and electric fencing are not permitted under the fast-track exempt development pathway, so fitting them can trigger an approval. Check the standards on the NSW Planning Portal or with your council before you plan a barbed topping.
Rural and larger commercial sites are where barbed wire earns its place, and where it is most likely to be allowed. If you are not sure whether your site qualifies, ask before you build.
Barbed wire is a real deterrent when it is the right tool and it is legal for the site. Where it is not, there are other ways to lift security on a barbed wire or security fence without the injury risk or the paperwork, and we would rather point you to those than fit something that has to come back down.