The Tanilba Bay Estate was designed under the aegis of Henry Ferdinand Halloran in the 1920s. Its unusual 'cartwheel' design combined with cris-crossing roads closer to the shore allowed for inclusion of ten internal reserve spaces. As can be seen from the google map reproduced here (see here for wider context) most of these survive.
(The Google Map satellite suggests the reserve to the north of Centennial Park has recently been subdivided for units).
'The flagship estate was Tanilba Bay. This land was subdivided in 1919 by G D Allen, a surveyor in Halloran's employ, along the 'cartwheel' lines that Halloran often favoured in the immediate postwar period. Like many garden suburb designs of the time, the street nomenclature drew upon key military and political figures.' (Freestone & Nichols 2010)
These pictures were taken ten years ago - the 8th August, 2000. They demonstrate that the internal reserves of the area were patchily maintained presumably by people who backed onto them - and who it seems would only take care of space they thought was relevant to them.
As a side bar, the Tanilba Bay estate features this exotic and elaborate gateway, which Halloran intended to give the estate a particular distinction and link it back to local history.
'Tanilba Bay was also given what would become a distinctive Halloran touch with gateway arches and walls erected from local stone. Statuary and war relics were erected at the gates and in parks. A special 'Centenary Gateway' commemorated a hundred years of settlement in the area. Halloran moved into and extended a historic house nearby, reputedly adding a wall containing a bottle filled with press cuttings vilifying renegade Labor premier Jack Lang. Halloran bought and subdivided many more estates in the Port Stephens area, including Mallabula Point Estate (1919), Karuah Estate (1922), Yalinbah Estate (1923), Holdom Estate (1927) and Tomaree (1934).' (Freestone & Nichols 2010)
On either side, memorial stones announce that: 'The bollards on the centre pillars are from H.M.A.S. Sydney / Victor in Australia's first naval battle/ 9th November 1914' and ''Tanilba Centenary Gates/ Designed and Erected by Henry F. Halloran/ Completed 31st March 1931'
Quotes are from Freestone, Robert, and David Nichols. "Town planning and private enterprise in early twentieth century Australia: Henry F Halloran, 'builder of dreams'." History Australia 7.1 (2010).
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