When it comes to our neighbours, what are our biggest bugbears? Barking dogs, fences and trees, according to figures released recently by Justice NSW.

During 2018 and 2019, the department’s Community Justice Centres mediation service fielded 6362 disputes between neighbours, with noise a factor in 1394 of them.

Noisy animals – usually a barking dog – were the biggest issue, with noise from kids and party guests, motor vehicles, building and construction and machinery making up the top five list, according to attorney general Mark Speakman.

“Dogs are sociable creatures and tend to bark when they’re lonely, bored and looking for attention, so it’s important for owners to schedule a daily walk and provide toys for their pets to play with when they’re on their own,” he said.

Sutherland Shire Council, which has the second highest number of companion animals in NSW, recommends that residents’ first course of action in the case of a neighbour’s excessively barking dog was to have a conversation with them, and check they were aware of the issue.

“They may not be aware their dog is barking or of the impact it is having on neighbouring property owners,” a council spokesperson said. “If the dog continues to bark excessively, then residents can make a complaint to council.”

Sutherland Shire Council received 544 complaints about dogs barking excessively over the past financial year, but had found most residents were willing to address the problem once they were aware of it and, as such, had only had to issue six nuisance orders.

Meanwhile, the City of Parramatta had just one Noise Abatement Direction related to dog barking this year.

A spokesperson for the council said wherever possible, the council “works with pet owners to make any necessary adjustments and manage the issue rather than immediately issue orders”.

When it comes to apartment living, barking dogs were also identified as an issue by Karen Stiles, executive officer from the Owners Corporation Network, who pointed out that pets could contribute to a positive environment.

“Noise is one of the many causes of conflict in high density living,” Ms Stiles said. ‘Yet, dog ownership when managed properly can create community ties and foster healthy living.”

According to the RSPCA website, dogs may bark due to “anxiety, boredom, distress, excitement, fear and in defence of their territory,” and there was “no single solution to all barking problems because every dog is different”.

Aside from noise, the Community Justice Centre figures showed the biggest trigger for neighbourly disputes was fences and boundary issues, which caused 998 disputes in the 2018-19 financial year, followed by trespass and issues around privacy at 873.

Plants and trees were third, at 744.

Overall, Community Justice Centres dealt with 1346 more disputes over the 2018-19 period compared to the previous financial year, with 55 more animal noise-related problems year-on-year, 140 more fence and boundary issues and 188 more problems around privacy.

The Community Justice Centres’ mediation service is free, and nearly three-quarters of disputes are resolved.