Abstract
Planning and design practices for Australian local roads have evolved from the days 100 years ago when there were few controls over subdividers, through periods of boom and bust and through the growth and change of planning controls over land development. Despite early enthusiasm for the "garden city" and "garden suburb" ideals, and the continuing presence of Canberra as a model, the impact of new planning and design ideas was modest and slow in coming during the first part of this century. Nevertheless, much of what is still the subject of professional and community debate was proposed and discussed 60 or more years ago.