‘INTEGRATED HOUSING’ POSES ISSUES.

Following from my comment about Darwin’s public housing juxtaposition, I wanted to comment on the policy of integrated housing as it seems to be applied.

Integrated housing does not seem to be a matter that impacts on newer suburbs, but is noticeable for the changes it is introducing to Darwin and Palmerston’s older suburbs.

It is into the newer suburbs (Lyons, Muirhead, Bayview, and the more established up market areas (Cullen Bay, Larrrakeyah, parts of Fannie Bay) in Darwin that key decision makers and policy setters week to be moving or living. They make policies and establish procedures that introduce the full gambit of integrated housing into the older suburbs. This is changing the character of those suburbs.

In the 1980’s 1990’s and the early 2000’s, older suburbs were generally cleaner, neater, tidies and better kept in terms of appearance than is now the case. A slow and studied drive around older suburbs returns vision of overgrown and unkempt nature strips, poorly maintained trees, ‘dead grassed’ parks, and an ugly array of security fencing around houses. There is much more nighttime noise from many residences. The proliferation of some integrated housing has to be reducing property values for nearby well maintained dwellings.

While the policy is understandable, indeed laudable, practical issues and patent problems need to be recognised and addressed.