Automatic Gates on Sydney's North Shore

Housing and driveways

The lower North Shore, around Mosman, Cremorne, Neutral Bay, Kirribilli and North Sydney, has a lot of apartment buildings, older semis and homes on steep harbour slopes. Driveways here are often short and steep, with garages built into the hillside. The upper North Shore, through Chatswood, Roseville, Lindfield, Killara, Gordon, Pymble and Wahroonga, has more freestanding homes on larger blocks, many with long driveways, mature trees and sandstone or brick front fences.

Different streets suit different gates. On a level upper North Shore driveway with room to open, a pair of automatic swing gates is a classic look. On a steep lower North Shore driveway, a sliding gate avoids the ground clearance problem.

Councils and heritage

The North Shore is covered by several councils, including North Sydney, Mosman, Willoughby, Lane Cove and Ku-ring-gai. Ku-ring-gai in particular has many heritage conservation areas protecting Federation and interwar streetscapes. In NSW, a fence or gate along the road boundary in a conservation area cannot be exempt development, so expect to lodge a development application. Our guide to gates in heritage conservation areas explains what councils usually look at.

Trees, roots and old pillars

Large street trees and garden trees are part of the North Shore's character, but roots lift driveways and crack the concrete a sliding gate track depends on. Older brick and sandstone pillars may also need reinforcing before they can carry a swing gate motor. These are both common reasons an installer will want to see the site before quoting.

Motorising an existing gate

Many North Shore homes already have attractive timber or wrought iron gates. Gate automation can keep the gate you have, as long as it moves freely and the hinges and posts are sound.

Getting connected

Tell us your suburb and what kind of gate you are after, and we will pass your enquiry to an independent local installer who works across the North Shore.