When Justin Hancock engineered a council-led home building grant offering "free land" in his outback Queensland area, all he wanted to do was solve the region's housing crisis.
Key points:
- Quilpie Shire Council launched its new home owner grant 10 days ago
- Some blocks are the same price as the grant, earning the tagline "free land"
- More than 215 enquiries have been made, including from overseas
The Quilpie Shire Council chief executive said if it led to five houses being built in the next two years he would consider it a "huge success".
But he has been blown away by the interest, with more than 215 enquiries in the 10 days since the scheme was officially released, including some from overseas.
"[The news] obviously went into the hands of the right people, because from 6:30 [last] Monday morning the phone has been non-stop," he said.
The grant will reimburse new home builders up to $12,500 once they have lived in their home for six months, applying to all vacant land in the shire.
But with 28 of the blocks for sale in the shire going for just $12,500 each, Quilpie has now earned itself a worldwide reputation as the town giving away land "for free".
"We've had a few investors, even international investors, that have reached out wanting to know more — 'could they potentially partner with council?'" Mr Hancock said.
"We've had builders and tradies and painters reach out just to enquire about the amount of work that's available in the shire and [asking] would it be worthwhile looking out west to move their business and set up."
An offer too good to refuse
Quilpie local Robina Meehan and her husband have put in an offer on one of the 28 blocks in the town's Curlew Estate.
"We thought it seems to make good sense. You'd be silly to pass up an offer like that," she said.
Ms Meehan said she was amused, but not surprised, by the interest in the scheme.
"I thought people can see a good opportunity when one exists," she said.
"I think, too, I was glad that we got it when we did because there's still some available."
Ms Meehan, whose family moved to Quilpie at the start of 2020, said the scheme was completely in character with the community she fell in love with.
"I realise now that one of the values in the council's list of values is 'fun', and that is very evident in real life, day-to-day," she said.
More than a gimmick, economist says
Earlier this month, the Regional Australia Institute released a study into the housing crisis in western Queensland.
Chief economist Kim Houghton, who co-authored the study, said the marketing of the Quilpie scheme was exactly what local governments should be doing to encourage development in their region.
"I think it's definitely much more than a gimmick," Dr Houghton said.
"People outside the region don't really understand those housing markets and are not really aware of those opportunities.
"The fact that if you pitched it out wide, you do get a surge in response, shows that there [are] really solid prospects there for building and developing in the region which we need to communicate to people outside.
"If any of those leads materialise into genuine interest, that'll be a significant change for what's been a very slowly moving market."