Building sites- the playgrounds of yesteryear Our mission is simple

Driving past a home building site in recent years, you could be forgiven for thinking that a high-security prison was being constructed. Metres of temporary fencing, back to base spy cameras erected on imposing mobile towers, and numerous security warning signs threatening everything short of public flogging for potential trespassers.

Of course, changing times have called for higher property security. It seems that even the precaution of literally nailing something down to deter would-be site thief who has their eye on items such as stoves, sinks, doors or even stacks of gyprock is not enough. The advent of public liability added another level where builders were in danger of being sued if an uninvited visitor to their site injured themselves or worse.

It wasn’t always like this. As a child in the 60s building sites were as inviting a playground as any of the swings and slides in the local park and living in a new estate provided an everchanging source of adventure.

Queensland homes in the 60s and early 70s were predominantly highest in a budget attempt to mimic the traditional old Queenslanders. Floor joists prior to floorboards being laid tested our balance and gymnast skills. We never ventured up onto the roof structure. The potential two-metre drop to the ground from the first floor was enough of a thrill for us.