Why community has always been at the heart of Australian housing

As a nation built on suburbs, Australia’s neighbourhoods have been a way of fostering community values since the late 1800s. 

What makes a community, and how homeowners and residents want to interact with that community, is constantly evolving. 

The communities of the past were made up of insular quarter-acre homes that depend on long car rides into the city.

The pressures of the housing market and the desire for more connection in a post-pandemic world, however, are changing the communities of modern Australia. 

“With affordability driving demand for smaller homes, homeowners are looking for communities that offer more within their immediate surroundings,” says Tony Gallagher, Chief Operating Officer at Peet, one of Australia’s leading residential developers.

With 130 years of experience in creating large-scale residential neighbourhoods, Peet has seen this change first-hand and adapted their master-planned communities to create the modern neighbourhoods that Australians are looking for.

What Australia’s first neighbourhoods looked like

Australia’s earliest suburbs were prized for their privacy compared to the more bustling inner-city neighbourhoods, as well as a way that like-minded communities could come together.

In the 20th century, community values started to play more of a structured role in shaping Australia’s suburbs, with new ideas from overseas changing what urban planners saw as the ideal neighbourhood. 

The British ‘garden suburb’ movement of the early 20th century, and the American-style ‘Radburn principles’ that influenced urban planning after World War I, saw more focus on green spaces and quiet suburban streets.

Rather than building public parks into the design, Radburn-inspired neighbourhoods included green spaces with large street-facing front yards that were still ultimately privately-owned.

These streets allow for local walkability but often required dependence on cars for work, shopping and leisure due to their city-fringe locations.

Neighbourhoods today have had to evolve to reflect the Australia of today, with housing affordability and evolving community values becoming important to homeowners.

With changing ideas of what community means, and the need for affordable housing, neighbourhoods have had to change to reflect the changing face of modern Australia.

The communities of today and tomorrow

Data has shown that community values are shaping the look and feel of developments more than ever, with the desire for connectedness and a vibrant neighbourhood atmosphere more important to homeowners.

“We’ve seen a clear shift in urban planning across Australia, where community values now drive the design of master-planned developments,” says Mr Gallagher.

“It’s no longer just about housing—it’s about creating walkable neighbourhoods with integrated parks, cafes, schools, and shared spaces that foster connection.” 

Instead of the large yards that dominated earlier visions of the Australian neighbourhood, residents are prioritising communal green spaces like parks and walking trails where they can interact with their neighbours and nature.

With data showing work commutes increasing, buyers are also looking for neighbourhoods where everything else is within reach, giving rise to the idea of the 20-minute neighbourhood—communities where most of a resident’s daily needs are within a 20-minute return-trip walk.

Creating these connected communities isn’t just about design and construction, explains Mr Gallagher.

It also means the best developers focus on community engagement to build sustainable communities that continue to thrive once the development is finished.

“Through initiatives like community grants, programs, and regular events, we help transform housing developments into thriving, inclusive neighbourhoods built on shared identity and meaningful relationships,” says Mr Gallagher.

Especially post-pandemic, nurturing the community spirit of a neighbourhood is more important than ever and Peet helps to do this by hosting welcome events and supporting local sporting teams to help communities come together from the start, Mr Gallagher adds.

Why buyers should care about walkable neighbourhoods

Property seekers are looking for communities that allow them to connect with not only nearby amenities, but also with each other.

While the idea of a 20-minute neighbourhood is more popular than ever, walkability is another way that communities can be more connected.

“Walkable spaces are a cornerstone of building strong communities in master-planned developments,” says Mr Gallagher.

To make a community truly walkable, it’s not enough to locate necessary amenities close to housing.

Good planning encourages the use of this form of transport, making walking not only practical but also preferrable.

Data also shows that residents in walkable neighbourhoods tend to have healthier and more active lifestyles.

“Features like shaded footpaths, seating areas, and safe pedestrian routes make these journeys enjoyable, inviting people to spend more time outdoors and engage with their neighbourhoods,” says Mr Gallagher.

Community-led design

Bringing locals into the design process and ensuring their voices are heard is a major way that modern Australian neighbourhoods are changing.

Making sure that the infrastructure and plan of the community is based on what that unique community values and needs is integral to creating the communities of the future.

“At Peet, we believe that the best communities are shaped by the people who live in them,” says Mr Gallagher.

“That’s why we actively involve residents from the very beginning—through structured Community Development programs, collaborative design processes, and ongoing engagement.”

This can mean residents and community groups can help shape the design of parks and playgrounds in their area, or they can apply for community grants to champion local initiatives.

By engaging with residents, Peet enables the community to grow and develop on their own terms and according to the individual character and culture of their neighbourhood.

A modern community in action: Golden Bay, WA

One project where community values, walkability and resident engagement come together is Peet’s vibrant Golden Bay development in Perth’s growing southern corridor. 

“Golden Bay exemplifies Peet’s vision of walkable, interconnected communities,” says Mr Gallagher.

Designed for connection

Home to more than 1,000 residents, the coastal community is designed to be cohesive and connected, aligning with Peet’s vision for the communities of today and tomorrow. 

“With parks, schools, cafes, and the beach all accessible by foot, the community’s network of shared pathways connect residents to essential services,” says Mr Gallagher. 

Community engagement and events

Golden Bay is a stand-out example of how the best developers make building community connection a core part of the development process.

“The estate promotes active living and social interaction, reinforced by regular community events that foster a strong sense of belonging,” says Mr Gallagher.

These community events include community fan days in partnership with the Perth Scorchers, tree planting initiatives, BMX events, and more.

The community was also shaped through direct engagement with residents, allowing them to leave their mark on the parks within the neighbourhood they call home.

“Spaces like Golden Bay’s Shipwreck Cove and Treehouse Cove were developed through extensive consultation, giving residents a real voice,” said Mr Gallagher.

Recognised for excellence

Golden Bay has also won multiple awards for its design, including the 2025 WA Property Council Award for Best Masterplanned Community. 

It also won the Urban Development Institute of Australia WA’s 2022 Excellence in Social & Community Infrastructure, with the judging team highlighting its engagement with the local community and its inclusive amenities.

“Its award-winning masterplan showcases a future-oriented, community-centred development approach,” says Mr Gallagher. 

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