“The God of Smoke listens idly in the heat to the barbecue sausages speaking the language of rain deceitfully as their fat dances…having served under that bright sky you may look up but don't ask too much: some cold beer, a few old friends in the afternoon, a Southerly Buster at dusk”.

From the poem Backyard by the Australian poet John Tranter

We have travelled the world in our Urban Excursions, exploring the way communities throughout the world live, interact and prosper. It is now time to have a little R&R and so Catherine takes us home to our own backyards. 

With the increasing temperature, the arrival of the September school holidays and the premature appearance of Christmas decorations in shops, the throes of winter are long gone and thoughts turn to the promise of sun-drenched holidays and weekends. Like many Australians, my formative years are filled with memories of days at the beach and unhurried afternoons playing in the backyard with friends and cousins, while adults shouldered the BBQ responsibilities whilst enjoying a beverage or three. If you were particularly lucky the backyard would have a pool otherwise running through the sprinkler would have to suffice (an experience denied to children of the current water restrictions age).   

Indeed the backyard has historically been an integral component of the much revered dream of Australian home ownership in the suburbs. The backyard was part of the Australian way of life, a private space whereby Australians could embrace their love of the outdoors; it provided space for entertaining, kicking the footy or playing cricket with the kids, perhaps a shed for the man of the house, or putting in a pool, veggie patch or fruit trees. 

The enduring sentiment displayed for the backyard as part of the Australian identity is demonstrated by the current realestate.com outdoor campaign depicting the backyards of two Australian sporting heroes, cricketer Adam Gilchrist and surfer Layne Beachley. It is the purpose of the campaign to focus on the connection between where people live and how it shapes their lives.

But is the backyard as we know it, traditionally a focus for social and physical activity, under threat from changes to the planning landscape, the desire for large dwellings and evolving lifestyles? And what are the implications for communities and the urban landscape?     

The days of the quarter-acre block appear numbered with the recently released SEQ Regional Plan 2009-2031 dictating that at least 138,000 of the additional 156,000 dwellings required to house Brisbane’s burgeoning population by 2031 be accommodated through a combination of infill development and redevelopment in existing urban areas. Moreover, the SEQ Regional Plan prescribes new developments (undertaken in Development Areas) achieve a minimum net dwelling yield of 15 dwellings per hectare. The ongoing focus within the strategic planning framework for increased residential density, to date a trend which has been typically reserved for inner-city redevelopment, has important implications for the urban landscape in middle and outer Brisbane suburbia. 

In light of the above, suburban streetscapes comprising almost solely of detached houses are now increasingly subject to proposed changes to residential densities. A recent example of this is the draft Sherwood/Graceville District Neighbourhood Plan which proposes high-density developments of up to five storeys in these predominantly low-density residential communities. Such development would have a significant impact on visual amenity and community dynamics, with residents raising concerns as to the impact of increased density on the area’s charm and character. 

However, it is not just government policy driving change in the composition and amenity of Brisbane’s suburban landscape. Changes in the demographics, lifestyles and housing preferences of the Australian consumer have also served to threaten the prevalence of a decent size backyard in the ‘burbs. It is increasingly common in desirable suburbs to see the subdivision of larger blocks into smaller lots or ‘battleaxe’ blocks to maximize the return for the investor or home owner. Such development is often at the expense of a backyard, as people try and maximize the floor area of the dwelling on the smaller lot size. 
 
Indeed it is the increasing propensity of Australians to build larger dwellings that is a key driver of the diminishing size of backyards. ABS data reveals that there has been a steady increase in the average floor area of new houses over the 21 years to June 2007, from 176.9m2 to 239.2m2 (35.2% increase). Queensland recorded the third highest increase in new house floor area over this time.
 
As such, the attraction of a large backyard has weakened over time and given way to a growing desire amongst consumers for more living space; more bedrooms and (sometimes) superfluous rooms such as media room, activities room and family room. This growth in dwelling size is in contrast to the projected decline in Australian household size over time.  
 
This trend towards increased site coverage by dwellings has resulted in the establishment of suburbs with a lower standard of amenity and minimal personal backyard space as illustrated in the above aerial view shots.

More recently, in an effort to address the issue of housing affordability amongst the first home buyer market, developers have widened the housing product options available through the marketing of smaller house lots. These lots, typically around 300m2, can be found at North Lakes and Griffin developments in outer north Brisbane and provide an avenue into the housing market, albeit through compromising on backyard space. 

With Australians increasingly time poor, stressed and juggling multiple commitments, the appeal of ‘low maintenance’ homes on small lots with minimal yard upkeep may become a more attractive proposition. Indeed ABS data on trends in household work suggests that Australians are spending less time maintaining their homes and looking after outdoor areas than in the past (possibly a result of increased outsourcing of such tasks). Many people choose to forgo a backyard altogether as a trade off for living closer to the city and its entertainment and recreational facilities. 

But what does this all mean for the humble backyard, remembered fondly as the backdrop for so many family celebrations, milestones and arguments? Whilst still an important aspect of the Australian home ownership dream for many, for others the local park (such as Bulimba’s Memorial Park above) has become the primary focus for social activity, BBQs, children’s playtime and outdoor pursuits. These local green spaces are integral to the overall quality of life in the suburbs, providing inviting spaces for interaction and community engagement. As the Brisbane suburban landscape experiences considerable change in housing composition and density, it is pertinent that local parks and green space are preserved and created to ensure all future residents can continue to embrace the love of the Australian outdoor lifestyle in their own communities.

But perhaps we are happy to let the traditional backyard fritter away, enjoying our air conditioned media room instead. Perhaps kicking the footy with the kids now starts by plugging in the Xbox. Perhaps the notion of a backyard will eventually be consigned to nostalgic poetry about yesteryear. Whatever the case, we in the development industry ought to remember the inherent familial and social values of the backyard and ensure that there are safe and inviting places where these values can be retained, whatever the form these places may take.

~ Catherine Hall