Do we need more housing choice?

 

Our shire is becoming rapidly urbanized and there are some arguments for a more diverse range of housing in Drouin and Warragul. Not everyone wants a ‘McMansion’ that takes up the whole block or a ‘squeezy unit’ at the bottom of a shared driveway. Low-density developments are often taken up with huge houses, sheds and concrete driveways. 

There is a tendency for our current patterns of development to destroy the character of our towns. Any semblance of distinctive or diverse architecture is coincidental. Often, there is little or no blending of the natural environment into our neighbourhoods.

Perhaps it is time for some properly planned mixed developments, particularly close to our CBDs, with well-designed medium density accommodation to combat the expensive infrastructural-sprawl that is consuming our beautiful rural landscapes, farmland and bush. 

Mixed density development Cranbourne South

The current pattern of many developments in Baw Baw, is for greenfield subdivisions of detached houses that require car-dependent families, often resulting in negative social, economic and environmental outcomes.

There is no doubt a need for a proportion of developments in Baw Baw to be of a dormitory nature, with many of the occupiers to be commuters to nearby cities and suburbs. This is only going to be the ultimate natural result of the near unprecedented expansion of Melbourne.

However, it takes little imagination to consider the values of some simple alternatives, for example cluster housing developments. Cluster housing means a number of dwellings grouped on one site to 1) take advantage of better building conditions, less gradient, etc, 2) to enable the appreciation of a view or outlook, 3) to create a larger area of open space, 4) to conserve an area of natural environment, 5) to enhance solar gain for all residences, etc.

Another option is for a greater choice of medium density residential housing that might include townhouses, terrace houses, semi-detached houses, duplexes, manor houses or small ‘apartment blocks’.  According to the 2016 census, just 7% of dwellings in regional Victoria were medium density. In Melbourne, medium density homes are at least 20% cheaper than detached houses. Low rise medium density housing developments use land more efficiently and when suitably located, they make walkability to retail centres and public transport highly valued to many occupants. Governments and planners should not be influenced by the ‘NIMBYism’ of residents in considering approvals for such developments.

There are other options too. The tiny house movement is gaining momentum in many places. 

Credit: thegoodtrade.com

 There would seemingly be multiple opportunities in Baw Baw to adopt some sustainable energy developments. There is an emerging biodiversity-sensitive urban design movement that would suit the supposed ‘green image’ of this region.

Credit: ggarradresearch

With some enlightened efforts on behalf of developers, planners and governments, environmentally sustainable, economical and engaging urban development design is achievable.

 

PLEASE NOTE

The views expressed in this post may not be held by all members of the Friends of Drouin’s Trees. You are welcome to make comment by clicking on the ‘COMMENTS’ label at the bottom of the post (on the website).