The research was undertaken in 2008 and provides a unique insight into the lives, views and aspirations of people living in the suburbs of Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park. These two areas, located in the rapidly growing outer northern suburbs of Melbourne, represent the types of communities which Melbourne and indeed Australia are likely to see a lot more of in the coming decade as cities grapple with the need to accommodate burgeoning populations. Those who are seeking to live in urban fringe communities are a diverse and  pioneering group who deserve to be given an opportunity to access the same services as those who live in other parts of the city. The process of building these communities, as this research shows, is not always easy.