Because it's mostly a low rise city, it's huge and has a suburban sprawl that seems to go on forever.
When cities are so stretched out their areas take on different characters. Caroline Springs is about as West as you can go while still being officially in Melbourne. It was once a farming area (not too distant from some industrial areas) that has become dominated by lots of housing developments. Like most big cities, if you want some home and land, in Melbourne you need to spread your wings a little otherwise your dollar is not going to buy you much.
In areas like Caroline Springs what you're paying for is often the land and the air that you breathe. Yes, you still get access to services and if you've got a car you can venture into the city within a half hour or so (if the traffic is cooperating), but culturally, it's a bit of a dearth.
So, imagine my surprise after being all nerdily excited about the unearthing of a colossal Minerva (Athena) statue about a half hour's drive from here in Lecce, to find that about a half hour's drive away from Melbourne's city centre (i'm being generous), another Colossal statue has been unearthed!
And the reactions just couldn't be any different!
Well, neighbours are divided. There have been a total of two complaints lodged with the local city council. It's offensive! It's inappropriate. Does anyone remember a similar thing happening in the States a few years back? Or am I just imagining something from the Simpsons?
Anyhoo, hats off to the residents of this house, who are not breaking any residential laws by having this huge, very tasteful replica of a Michelangelo classic in their front yard. Quite tastefully matches the curtains, and you know that's always a good sign of taste.
More here.