Planning Minister Rob Stokes says front lawns are a ‘waste of space’

Sydney homeowners need to sacrifice their front yards and freestanding homes if they want to have bigger backyards. That’s the advice from the state’s new Planning Minister Rob Stokes. READ WHAT ELSE HE THINKS.

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Sydney homeowners need to sacrifice their front yards and freestanding homes if they want to have bigger backyards.

NSW Planning Minster Robert Stokes believes some detached homes in new outer suburbs are wasting valuable land at the front and sides of the properties.

Instead, he believes new homeowners need to embrace the advantages of terrace and townhouse-style accommodation — where homes are joined at the side and front yards don’t exist.

NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes said homeowners need to sacrifice their front yards if they want to have bigger backyards. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

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In his first major interview following the state election, Mr Stokes has pointed to Blacktown’s Fairwater Estate, Campbelltown’s Park Central and Thornton Estate at Penrith as good examples of the future of Sydney’s housing.

“Sometimes we get to a point where we are trying to squeeze a detached house onto a block of land,” he told The Sunday Telegraph.

“If we use the land more efficiently — if we put them as terrace houses — you will end up with a lot more land.

“For example, why don’t you reduce the frontages so that the houses — rather than having a front yard which is not a very usable space — are brought closer to the kerb?

Mr Stokes believes Fairwater Estate at Blacktown is a great example of quality medium density housing.

“And rather than having that useless space on the sides you can add that to the back.”

Western Sydney Business Chamber executive director David Borger said while shorter frontages were a step in the right direction, he was concerned residents would miss out on social interaction.

One in four Sydney residents say they would like to live in a semi-detached home or townhouse, yet only 14 per cent of the city’s housing stock fits that description.

And while 55 per cent of Sydney’s dwelling are detached homes, only 41 per cent of people want to live in them, according to the 2018 Housing Affordability report by the Grattan Institute.

Landcom's Park Central Estate in Campbelltown is a highly sought after suburb despite being surrounded by other suburbs with detached homes on bigger blocks.

The median lot size in Sydney has shrunk 12 per cent over the past decade from 546sq m in September 2008 to 480sq m last year.

Asked how exactly he would push for more terrace and townhouses in Sydney — known as medium density living — Mr Stokes said “I’ve been in the job for two days … but yes I do want to re-engage with the community”.

The Liberal Member for Pittwater also mounted a staunch defence of the controversial medium density housing code.

Thornton Estate in Penrith. Picture: Toby Zerna

Under the code, homeowners with a certain size block and in an area zoned for multiple housing choices can turn their houses into terraces, duplexes, manor houses or double storey properties without consulting their neighbours or the council.

The policy was widely condemned by councils when it was announced in 2018. Because of the backlash, 50 NSW councils were given another until July this year to prepare for the changes.

“Am I opposed to medium density? Absolutely not. It just needs to be done consultatively in the right areas, well designed, and without surprise.”