Low-maintenance: The death of the backyard

168A Tahiti Ave, Palm Beach.

Queensland families are ditching high maintenance backyards and landscaping in a bid to free up more time.

The new housing trend is emerging in a number of new builds on the Gold Coast with the home and outdoor entertaining areas — including a pool — taking up almost the entire property.

1364 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach.

It’s a deliberate construction type aimed at busy professionals who have multiple family commitments after school, such as soccer or netball training, which prevents them from spending hours in the yard, according to Ray White Malan + Co agent, Jared Malan.

He believes it might also suit retirees who aren’t mobile enough to tend to their garden anymore.

“Don’t get me wrong, the patios and the pools are stunning and perfect for Christmas barbecues, but there’s not stacks of shrubbery on these properties – and that’s what the market wants at the moment,” Mr Malan said.

“Some people absolutely love gardening, some people hate it – others might love it but just don’t have the time to invest in keeping their yards looking like (famous Canberra flower festival) Floriade.

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168A Tahiti Ave, Palm Beach.

“There’s a real trend emerging on that end of the Coast which is all about minimalist

landscaping.

A five-bedroom house at 168A Tahiti Ave, Palm Beach, is one example of this trend with the home filling out the setbacks on the 422 sqm block.

The DA report for the property reveals it covers 48.6 per cent of the block with the remainder headlined by a plunge pool, deck and fire pit overlooking the canal, with several self-sufficient plants down a side path.

Another new duplex at 1364 Gold Coast Highway, called Dualis, has some ferns and palms in the back corner but is otherwise void of grass.

168A Tahiti Ave, Palm Beach.

“They’re incredible homes but they’re built for modern living,” Mr Malan said.

“Maybe 10 or 20 years ago, we saw a lot of those townhouse strips around the Gold Coast with really tokenistic landscaping, which became more hassle than they were worth.

“If you live a busy lifestyle, you actually don’t want to have to mow a measly 10 sqm of lawn or prune a couple of flowers – it’s more annoying than anything.

“You’d prefer to spend your time at the beach, or at cafes.

“I think this trend is a great compromise – the hard landscaping is really well done, without the ongoing maintenance.”

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