The McMansion invasion?

Skidd Marx said :

I think the point the article is trying to make is that Gungahlin symbolises everything that is wrong with todays shallow, materialistic society. Canberrans conceitedly think they’re smarter and greener than the rest of Australia, but the evidence suggests otherwise.

The McMansion thing isn’t just limited to Gungahlin – the same thing is going on in the new part of Bonython, reconstructed parts of Duffy, Dunlop, and so on.

A ‘McMansion’ is anything 30-40sq in size, but they’re talking averages. There are very few actual McMansions being built in reality, and most new land isn’t big enough to do it in the first place.
I think they’re just twisting stats and figures to make a ‘story’ out of nothing.

I think the point the article is trying to make is that Gungahlin symbolises everything that is wrong with todays shallow, materialistic society. Canberrans conceitedly think they’re smarter and greener than the rest of Australia, but the evidence suggests otherwise.

Dwellings across Australia have grown bigger across Australia over the past few decades. It’s one of the reasons housing costs more now, on average, than it used to.

I suspect that the reporter made up the part about “the biggest new homes in the nation”. The average new home in Canberra is not that big (but it is very expensive considering what you get). I suppose the Canberra Times likes the word “McMansion”, makes them feel hip and modern.

arescarti42 said :

From the article,

“We’re turning into a nation of hotel hermits”

What kind of statement is that? Wait, I know, a weak one.

That barely qualifies as news, who knows how it made front page.

Only the photo made the front page. The article was on page 6. Scanning the paper I can’t see another picture that would have been any better. They could have substituted the photo of Skippy with a large one of road kill from “Roo prang”, the only article on page one but they do want to sell more not less papers. Slow news day.

Given that CT seems to be held in low esteem by the proprietor it’s a wonder so many stories are sourced from it.

I would say just read it online however they’ve taken to cutting the article short and sticking

For more, pick up a copy of today’s Canberra Times

at the bottom of it.

Hate to tell them, but that’s not going to sell more papers, I’ll just get my news from other online sources.

This morning’s CT was one of the most pathetic newspapers I have ever read in my life. I’m seriously thinking of cancelling my subscription.

From the article,

“We’re turning into a nation of hotel hermits”

What kind of statement is that? Wait, I know, a weak one.

Annoyingly that article doesn’t actually have anything to say about new houses being built. Nothing about the implications of bigger houses, or why anyone should even care.

That barely qualifies as news, who knows how it made front page.