Is it a dead end for our cul-de-sac?
MOLLY Dunstan, 7, bats with twins Zane and Jaxson Addicoat-White, 10, while enjoying some cricket in their cul-de-sac at Ixora Ct at Mooroobool. The Palaszczuk government wants to phase out culs-de-sac in future urban design or modify them to include full access for pedestrians and cyclists instead of being completely closed off.
A BASTION of Australian childhood is at threat as the State Government pushes for a raft of mandatory urban design changes that could relegate street cricket to the history books.
The Queensland Government has issued a consultation paper on a model code for neighbourhood design, with several mandatory provisions including a push to limit the use of culs-de-sac.
Mooroobool resident Melissa Dunstan moved to her Ixora Court home specifically for the cul-de-sac sense of community it would offer a young family – and she thinks any purposeful shift away from that would be a terrible idea.
“It creates camaraderie in the street,” she said.
“We know all of our neighbours because our kids are out on the street riding their bikes.
“Everyone knows what’s going on and we all keep an eye out for one another.”
Ms Dunstan feared an autocratic focus on “through traffic” streets could rob kids and families of their immediate neighbourhood communities.
Other compulsory measures in the draft code include applying a grid planning structure, blocks no longer than 130m – with longer stretches separated by mid-block pedestrian links – and ensuring parks and open spaces are within comfortable walking distance of every home.
Cairns Regional Council officers have reviewed the document and say it appears to have been written for Southeast Queensland.
“Culs-de-sac that provide pedestrian and cycle access may achieve the desired outcomes of connected and walkable communities,” a document to be voted on at today’s meeting states.
“Culs-de-sac specifically are not the issue, it’s the lack of permeability.”
The document criticises the government’s one-size-fits-all approach, noting the council was currently undertaking its own Designing for Density in the Tropics planning study.
“Mandatory application of the code limits council’s ability to establish locally relevant requirements for neighbourhoods that are appropriate for and respond to the locality and climate of Cairns,” it says.