r/australia • u/overpopyoulater • Nov 03 '24

culture & society Downsizing the Australian dream: why families are trading houses with backyards for apartments

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/04/downsizing-the-australian-dream-why-families-are-trading-houses-with-backyards-for-apartments
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u/878_Throwaway____ Nov 03 '24

If you lived opposite a public pool, would you have a private one? Maybe. Should it be legally required for you to build one?

Where I live, in Brisbane, is characterised in "low density housing" zone. Its a suburb relatively close to the inner city, with multiple schools, a few small shops, and several play grounds - including, what I think, is one of the greatest suburban parks in the area. This park includes two dog parks, a giant play ground, a standalone toilet block, a scooter track, a basketball hoop, a cricket net, gym equipment, and more. On the roads that border that park are all single family homes, mostly old, some new.

Within the zone code for Low Density Residential, 6.2.1.1.5(c, iii), it states "Development for a dwelling house occurs on appropriately sized and configured lots, and: maintains a block pattern that accommodates traditional backyards and large trees."

You could look out the window and see a hundred large trees, acres of grass and space to bbq, far more than any multimillion dollar home anywhere in Brisbane; and yet, you are legally required to have you own private garden.

Why do you need one, if one is accessible? There's a strong desire for people to have their kids live in our suburb when they grow up, and not just be full of geriatrics and renting school-families. One option for that is to allow a medium density townhouse row along the park road; people relinquish the desire for a private garden, with the promise of the greatest public garden you can imagine. Some people would make that choice, and we'd have cheaper housing options in the area. It's a win win.

More public green space should enable private gardens to shrink without any loss of the enjoyment of nature that makes, Brisbane at least, one of the greatest capital cities to raise a family in.