Macrocarpa post & rail fencing a rewarding project

Building 2.6 km of macrocarpa post and rail for the Brookfields Heights subdivision in Timaru was a major step beyond the usual agricultural fencing work for South Canterbury-based Tony Brady Fencing.

The project came about through a longterm client whom Tony has worked with for over 25 years.

“It was going to be a big job and a lot different to the normal farm fencing we had done for this lifelong client before, so we couldn’t really turn it down,” Tony says.

The job required the largest supply of macrocarpa fencing materials to one job at that time, sourced from Pankhurst Sawmill in Otago. Although more expensive than the typical tanalised pine, the client wanted the distinct macrocarpa look and was willing to pay for it.

The project took over 12 months of coming and going, waiting for the supplier to get the timber to site and for windows in the weather.

“The weather had to be good when you are digging in clay,” Tony explains.

In total, the team carried out around 2,300 man-hours, with two to four staff working along the fence line at different times.

“Some days there were a few of us tackling the more difficult contour sections that needed an extra eye for detail,” says project leader Kyle Perrin.

The timber was substantial, with strainer posts measuring 250×250mm and 2.1 metres long, the line posts were 200×200mm, and rails at 150×75mm.

“They were heavy, but good, solid timber that looked sharp,” Kyle says.

Installing the posts required boring each hole, installing the rails into the mortise that were 50mm deep into the posts, then ramming the bases of each post to about 150mm high, a section at a time, just to hold it all in place.

“We would do one or two hundred metres, then we would get the mini concrete truck in every couple of days, setting them into place. We also chamfered all the rails on site to give it a nice finish,” Kyle explains.

The contouring terrain added to the challenge, with the fencing needing to flow nicely with the ground.

“So we had to keep an eye on the tops of the posts and stand back every now and then, to get a better look at the contour of the fence, and adjust it if needed.”

The result was a strong, eye-catching fence that both Tony and Kyle are proud of.

The client was “pretty chuffed” with the result, Kyle says.

With sections around 5000sqm, there could be more work on the cards, as buyers may look to add more fencing if they’d like to keep that same style.

The project had provided variety to the team, and added another string to the bow, Kyle says.

“It’s always good to have a bit of everything to mix it up.”

It had required a much slower pace, with the team averaging around 80 to 100m per day.

“It’s a lot slower than agricultural fencing. It takes a day or two to get the process or method down; it’s pretty straightforward,” Kyle says.

“You’ve got to slow down. You’ve got to think a bit more and give a bit more attention to detail.”

With Kyle managing the build over the year of construction, Tony was able to continue with the company’s usual agricultural fencing.

Tony has 40 years of fencing under his belt with the business in its 32nd year. It all started when a big flood came through the Pleasant Point area in 1986, and a local contractor desperately needed more workers.

Tony took on the work with the fencing contractor before going out on his own seven years later. Kyle joined the team four years ago.

Most of their work is in the rolling South Canterbury countryside, on sheep and beef, cropping, and deer farms, with some high country work up on the Hunter Hills – something that is challenging and Tony loves getting stuck into.

“It’s a satisfying job, being able to see the results of your hard work at the end of the day – knowing it’s going to be standing there for a long time,” Tony says.

He says he is fortunate to have some “very loyal clients” who kept the business humming.

Written by Rosa Watson