Question: What are the liability implications of installing a bollard on common property to protect against contractor damage?
We’ve had issues with contractors damaging common property roof gutters when driving or reversing delivery trucks through our scheme. It appears they are cutting corners and/or not paying proper attention to their surroundings.
If we were to install a bollard on the corner of one roadway to provide a greater visual impact to trucks so they would at least hit the bollard rather than the roof/gutters, where would this leave the body corporate in terms of liability? It would be as close as possible to the kerbing. We would also consider painting something on the road in high-vis yellow to highlight the bollard.
Answer: Limit the liability exposure by getting approvals and visibility standards right before installing.
Such an installation is sensible but, in an effort to mitigate any liability concerns, you ought to take into account:
- any development approval requirements (which sometimes prescribe turnaround areas and limitations on driveway obstructions);
- any standards that ought to be met in terms of the visibility of the bollard (so that it cannot be said the common property is not in good condition by the existence of the bollard’s placement); and
- the improvement approval processes.
This post appears in the August 2026 edition of The QLD Strata Magazine.
Todd Garsden Mahoneys E: tgarsden@mahoneys.com.au P: 07 3007 3753
