Goodbye quarter acre: Is there a new ‘dream’ Aussie lot size?

For generations, the quarter-acre block has been woven into the Australian idea of home. But as cities have become more dense and housing costs have grown, it's become increasingly out of reach.A home on a quarter-acre block became synonymous with the Australian dream. But where did that originate? Image: GettyThe quarter-acre dream was never merely a number. It was the promise it held: freedom, privacy, greenery and room for family life to unfold over time. As the national debate moves towards smaller lots, the question is whether that promise can be carried forward on less land.The push towards smaller lots has gained fresh momentum with the recent release of an interim report from Australia’s federal Productivity Commission identifying reduced minimum lot sizes and more low-rise housing as key nationwide reform directions.“I don’t think there is one new Australian dream or ideal lot size,” says Housing Industry Association executive director of planning and development Sam Heckel. “I think the real shift is that Australians want more choice.”For some, the right lot is still a generous block; for others, a smaller lot offers the right balance of affordability, location and upkeep...