Suburban Blocks Shrink

The days of the dream of owning a house on a quarter-acre block are long gone, as home buyers seek affordability through smaller properties.

Google Trends data shows the number of people searching for property using the phrase tiny homes has increased by 180% over the past five years, while small house plans searches are up by 197%.

Councils throughout Australia are responding to the need to allow for further housing by reducing block sizes.

The latest changes have been introduced by Brisbane City Council, which will allow homes on blocks as small as120 sq m in some residential areas.

Housing Industry Association executive director planning and development Sam Heckel, says cutting 200sq m from a minimum lot requirement could reduce the cost of an entry-level house-and-land package by more than $200,000.

“For a lot of first-time buyers, that could actually be the difference between getting into the market and remaining locked out,” he says.