Gypsyland

Marian lies in the heart of the pretty Pioneer Valley with the river on the north side of town and surrounded by distant hills and mountains across lush sugar cane paddocks. The town itself is a little schizophrenic, the older established houses mainly timber, many elevated, with substantial gardens and trees. The newer estates are flat block boxes on concrete slabs without a tree in site. This makes very little sense in tropical summers unless one has a secret desire to subsidise the electricity company.

Promised shopping centres have been just that for years, but the reality is that a car is essential, and for most families, two cars, and with a 60km round trip to town that soons adds up to a lot of kilometres. For those working in the mines price and commuting time are not an issue, but for ordinary workers costs soon add up. However, the place is definitely friendly. Just not sure if its sustainable.