About Thomas Ryan Photography

This major photographic project documents the rapid growth and changes happening in Townsville. Join me, Thomas Ryan, on a photographic journey as I document Townsville's past, present and future through the camera lens.

If you would like to get in touch with me, please visit my website,Thomas Ryan Photography. You can also contact me via social media on facebook and g+ All photographs are copyright of Thomas Ryan. All rights reserved, unauthorised use is prohibited.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Suburb in focus: Ooonoonba, Townsville.


The older suburbs of Townsville are interesting in many ways.  They are home to many wonderful examples of the cities earlier 20th century buildings and as such tell a rich visual and social story.  Such suburbs include Belgian Gardens, North Ward, South Townsville, Hermit Park and Ooonoonba (pictured above).

Ooonoonba is about 3 km from the city.  Until recently it wasn't directly linked to other suburbs, it stood alone, with the mangrove swamp behind it and the (former) Ross River meatworks cattle yards over the Abbott Street highway.  Now the cattle yards have been converted into the new suburb of Fairfield Waters.

What is strikingly different about older early/mid 20th Century suburbs is their street uniformity with their grid structure and large back yards.  Many new housing estates, such as Fairfield Waters (pictured below) have small back yards, homes that sit very close to one another and bending streets.

The old and new layout: Ooonooba (left) and Fairfield Waters (right)

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