Automatic Gates Dural and Middle Dural
Dural is where the Hills turns rural. Properties range from large homes on an acre or two to hobby farms and nurseries, with long driveways off Old Northern Road and the side roads around it.
Dural properties and driveways
Typical Dural and Middle Dural entrances have:
- a long driveway, often gravel or exposed aggregate, set well back from the house
- brick, sandstone or rendered pillars either side of the entry
- wide openings for trucks, floats or nursery deliveries
- mature trees around the entrance
For most of these, acreage entrance gates in a double swing configuration suit the frontage best. Where the entry rises sharply from the road, a sliding or cantilever gate may be needed.
Two councils
Dural sits across two councils. Old Northern Road has been the boundary between The Hills Shire and Hornsby Shire since the early 1900s, so properties on one side are in The Hills and on the other side are in Hornsby. Middle Dural is also split between the two. Your council matters for any approval and for which planning controls apply, so confirm it from your rates notice.
Power and intercoms
The gate is often too far from the house for a practical cable run. Solar gate automation with a GSM intercom is a common combination in Dural. Check mobile reception at the gate, and remember that GSM units use power around the clock, which needs to be counted when sizing solar.
Bushfire prone land
Parts of Dural and the surrounding area are mapped as bushfire prone land. Under the NSW exempt fencing rules, fences on bushfire prone land must be non-combustible or hardwood. Mention this at the site visit so it is considered in the gate and infill choice.
Gravel driveways and wide verges
Many Dural entrances open off a road with a wide grass verge and a table drain or culvert at the crossing. The gate needs to sit clear of the culvert headwalls, and a swing leaf must not sweep into rising gravel. Loose gravel also creeps onto the track of a sliding gate, so on gravel entries a cantilever design or a sealed apron at the gate line is worth considering.
Getting a price
Acreage entrances vary a lot, so the only useful price comes after a site visit. Request a quote and we will pass your enquiry to an independent installer who works in Dural.
Common Questions
Which council is Dural in?
Both. Old Northern Road is the boundary between The Hills Shire and Hornsby Shire. Check your rates notice to confirm which council covers your property.
Can my gate run on solar in Dural?
Usually, if the panel gets good sun and the system is sized for your daily use and any intercom. Heavy tree shade around the entrance is the main thing to watch.
Do I need an intercom at the gate?
If you cannot see the gate from the house, an intercom helps a lot. GSM units are common in Dural because they need no phone line or cable to the house.
Other Areas We Serve
We also service these areas and offer these specialised services:
Planning a new gate or automating an old one?
Tell us about your property and we will pass your details to an independent local installer who works across the Hills and Hawkesbury.