The days of the big Aussie backyard may be coming to end.

In the past 15 years the size of the average allotment in capital city outer suburban subdivisions has dropped from about 600sqm to 
about 420-440sqm.

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As residential housing blocks in
 new estates become smaller, the emphasis is on making whatever space is available user and entertainment 
friendly.

Big backyards with pools and playgrounds are making way for compact al fresco dining areas. Photo: Shutterstock

Property developers are producing a variety of lot sizes to cater for budget-oriented first homebuyers and cashed-up
 second and third homebuyers.

They are also providing more shared parkland so those wanting to play basketball, kick a football or play cricket have sufficient
 room to do so.

AVJennings Victorian general manager Peter Vlitas confirms lot sizes are becoming more compact in order to ensure continued affordability and to meet government demands for more available housing blocks on each estate.

Mr Vlitas says backyards are also contracting because of a lifestyle shift in the Australian community 
as people seek low-maintenance outdoor spaces so they can concentrate on other pursuits.

“I think the days of the big block of land are becoming rarer and the movement is toward more compact living,” he says.

“I think it is a lifestyle change
 because both partners these days are working and there is not the time on the weekend to spend mowing the lawns when you have to take the kids to a local sports meet. People are wanting to get out 
and about and not spend as much time in the backyard.

“Overall, the backyard is being converted to an entertainment space, with backyard cricket shifting to
 a local park.”

Backyard activities are now moving to nearby parks and playgrounds. Photo: Shutterstock

Spade Consultants director Chris McNeill agrees that there has been a reduction in the size of backyards over the past 15 to 20 years.

The demographer says blocks in new estates have been reduced in size mainly because of urban planning policy, which is based on government concerns “over the ever expanding girth of the our major cities” and a desire for the better use of land.

“Density targets have been introduced and, over time, lots have steadily have decreased in size,” says Mr McNeill, who is a former policy advisor to the Victorian branch of the Urban Development Institute of Australia.

“Meanwhile, house size has increased. The result has been the gradual decline in the backyards of yesteryear.”

Mr McNeill points out the traditional quarter-acre block typically associated with post-World War Two residential housing is largely an “urban myth”.

“A quarter acre is 1000 square metres and not that many quarter acre blocks actually existed,” he says.

“Most were closer to 800 square metres. Blocks of this size were once seen as healthy and a luxury unique to ‘new world’ countries like Australia – vastly different to the cramped conditions of many European cities.

“On large Australian blocks there was the opportunity for a vegetable garden and room for children to play.

“In theory, they encouraged active lifestyles and greater self sufficiency.”

But Mr Vlitas says the death of the Aussie backyard doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom.

Rather, the AVJennings chief says as backyards shrink, people are getting more savvy about the way they use available space.

“I would like to think that as lot sizes are getting more compact, the Aussie backyard is shifting towards alfresco dining areas with the barbecue being incorporated into the alfresco design of the home for great indoor-outdoor
 living,” Mr Vlitas says.