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Aussie town offers $20,000 for people to move in

An outback Queensland town is so keen to get new residents that it’s offering people $20,000 to move in. The catch? You’ll have to live in the middle of a partial desert. The new scheme aims to grow the population of the Quilpie Shire, located 1000 km west of Brisbane and close to the Northern Territory border, by 20 per cent from around 800 residents to 1000. “We were the first council in Outback Queensland to introduce such a policy, and it was a huge success – we had interest from all around Australia as well as globally from the US, India and Ireland,” Quilpie Shire Council CEO Justin Hancock told the Western Times. “Our new $20,000 grant will cover most of the price of their land if they build and live on it.” The Shire council first introduced the Home Owner Grant in 2021, with the initial limit of $12,500. But the rise in land value led to an increase in the grant as well. “You would be hard pressed to find a better deal anywhere in Australia,” Hancock said in 2021. “Depending on the cost of the land chosen, it can equate to us essentially giving land away,” he said. The original grant has already resulted in seven blocks of land sold on a new estate that’s developing the town’s south. People who receive the grant will have to build a home valued at less than $750,000 and live in it for at least six months, with the grant limited to new homeowners. The Quilpie Shire’s economy is mostly based on farming and mining, with some of the world’s largest deposits of boulder opals. There are two small supermarkets in town, a regional hospital, a couple of schools, and a few culinary options offered at the Imperial Hotel and Old Empire Café. For those who require travel, there are two weekly flights which connect Quilpie with Brisbane. Quilpie Shire mayor Stuart Mackenzie has said that despite a recent baby boom with some of their existing residents, they hope to see new people move in to help them support their goal. “As a friendly community we look forward to welcoming any new residents into the shire,” he said. Image: news.com.au, Leon O'Neil

Real Estate

Mayor shocked by massive take-up of FREE LAND offer in tiny outback town

A Queensland council has been flooded with requests after announcing a scheme that would have plots of land being practically given away to new and aspiring homeowners. Just one week after Quilpie Council <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/money-banking/queensland-town-giving-away-land" target="_blank">offered a $12,500 grant</a> to anyone who buys a block and builds a home on it, the regional Queensland council logged over 200 enquiries from people interested in the scheme. “It has definitely taken us by surprise - but in the best possible way,” Quilpie Shire Council Mayor Stuart MacKenzie said in a statement. “We’re looking forward to all the quality new houses that will soon be under construction in the Quilpie Shire. It will mean people can fill the job vacancies we have, and move into their own new house.” The council’s plan <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/qld-council-blown-away-after-hundreds-flock-to-free-land-offer/" target="_blank">went viral</a> after The Courier Mail broke the story. With a population of just 800 people, the council were hoping to get five families to build and move into the area. Instead, they received 40 times that from people looking to get their hands on some real estate. Council chief executive Justin Hancock said they were “blown away” at the level of interest, confirming that the blocks have sold for as little as $12,500. “We have some of the cheapest blocks of land in Australia,” he said. “There are blocks of land in the Curlew Estate for as little as $12,500 - which is the amount we will pay back when homeowners build and live on the land for at least six months, which makes it affordable for younger would-be homeowners. “These 1000-square-metre blocks all have roadways and full amenities connected. At the moment they are big patches of red dirt - but we’re known as one of the greenest towns in Outback Queensland because of our abundance of artesian water that keeps gardens and front lawns lush and green, even when things heat up over summer.” Mr Hancock said the council had built eight houses over the last five years, with another eight slated to be built over the next year. “We’re confident this new grant will turn the tables on that. We’ve also had quite a few enquiries from builders who see the opportunities in the region, as people will only receive the grant if they build and live in a house on their property. We’ve been blown away by the level of interest,” he said. With the other states coming out of lockdown, Mayor MacKenzie also said the timing of the grant “couldn’t be better”. “We’re thrilled with the number of calls and emails we’ve had this week of people interested in building a new house in Quilpie,” he said. Quilpie Shire is located 1,000 kilometres west of Brisbane, has a regular train service, and twice-weekly flights to the capital and Mount Isa. Image: Quilpie Shire Council / Facebook

Real Estate

Queensland town GIVING AWAY land

A Queensland town has started a new scheme that has been practically giving away free blocks of land, as long as aspiring property owners meet one requirement. The outback town of Quilpie, which lies 1000 km west of Brisbane, has a population of just 800 people and is looking to expand. Quilpie Shire Council has started offering $12,500 grants to anyone who buys a block of land and builds a home on it valued at less than $750,000, which they must also live in for six months. With some blocks selling for $12,500, homeowners can essentially receive the land for free. As well as being known for opal mining and dinosaur bones, the area is home to two supermarkets, a butcher and baker, several newsagents and hairdressers, two schools, and an early learning centre. Though the town is in dire need for people to fill vacancies for roles including teaching and nursing, the area doesn’t have enough homes for people to move into. Image: Quilpie Shire Council When Quilpie Shire Council CEO Justin Hancock first moved into the area, he spent six months living in a retirement village. The 30-year-old has now lived in the town for eight months, and wanted to do something about the lack of housing. “I made some great friends at the retirement village, and still drop by for a cuppa with some of the lovely residents, but it wasn’t the ideal place for me to live, regardless of how lovely the villa was,” he <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/buying/australian-town-of-quilpie-giving-away-free-land-with-125k-grant/news-story/460822c8aee66603902455bc47b0ae44" target="_blank">said</a>. With the new financial scheme, Mr Hancock said “you would be hard-pressed to find a better deal anywhere in Australia”. “If you’re looking to retire and need an affordable home base for travel, or you’re a young person starting out in your career and getting a foot in the property ladder, you would be hard-pressed to find a better deal anywhere in Australia. Depending on the cost of the land chosen, it can equate to us essentially giving land away,” he said. “We have over 10 job vacancies in Quilpie at the moment that we’re hoping will attract some new younger residents to live out here and the younger demographic won’t want to live in a retirement village.” Mr Hancock also noted that there would be the opportunity to establish a new business in town, and that there would be more tourism roles available next year. Tessa McDougall, 24, and Tom Hennessy, 23, have already taken up the offer to become first-home buyers, with Tessa taking up a teaching role and Tom working as a technical officer for the council. “There’s probably not a lot of people our age who are getting into the property market - but it’s so affordable in Quilpie, and even more so with this great land grant, and we’re confident it’s going to be a great investment for our future,” Mr Hennessy said. “We’re also hopeful that other young people will look at the job opportunities out here along with these great property deals and make the move to Quilpie. It’s a great lifestyle and small town vibe, there’s no crime and everyone is pretty laid back. And Covid really hasn’t touched Western Queensland.” In addition to encouraging newcomers to purchase land, the council is also redeveloping Quilpie’s depot into 40 townhouse villas. Image: Getty Images

Money & Banking

Discover the delights of rural Queensland

WYZA® reader Phil Hawkes shares his experience of exploring outback Queensland - from Quilpie to Eromanga. "There’s nothing to do in Quilpie!" That’s what several friends who have been outback all the way to <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.queensland.com/en-us/destination%20information/birdsville" target="_blank">Birdsville</a> and beyond, said when I told them my plans for a road trip from Brisbane. “It’s a boring highway getting to <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.queensland.com/en-us/destination%20information/quilpie" target="_blank">Quilpie</a> and there’s nothing exciting happening except for the counter teas at the old Imperial Hotel,” they added. That seemed to be the sum of their own experience, not too promising. Nevertheless we decided to give it a go and the result was anything but dull. If you throw nearby Eromanga and then Windorah into the mix, there’s so much to see and do in that area that we’d willingly go back again. First, Quilpie, which locals describes as “Simply Unique”. That may be a stretch but this small town in the Channel Country has a definite friendly vibe and all the essential services for the traveller. There’s even a couple of coffee shops with good coffee, which is a pleasant surprise if you’ve been drinking only Nescafe in your caravan! Quilpie is famous for its boulder opal mining industry and there’s a beautiful altar at St. Finbarr’s Church made from a collage of boulder opals. You can also go fossicking and maybe get lucky. It’s a fun thing to do and a good reason to stay around for a few days. <img src="https://cdn.wyza.com.au/media/341363/opal-alta-at-st-finbarrs-quilpie_500x333.jpg" alt="Opal -Alta -at -St -Finbarrs -Quilpie" width="500" height="333" /> The altar at St Finbarrs is covered with stunning opals The Heritage Hotel in the main street is being painstakingly restored by owner Troy Minnett who also runs the nearby caravan park. The hotel rooms are comfortable with aircon, flat TV and a decent shower, and there’s a convivial bar as well as a wide verandah overlooking the street. Troy can also book you on an Eromanga Tour to see the dinosaur fossils, or on one of two mail runs to see the “real outback”. Highly recommended. <img src="https://cdn.wyza.com.au/media/341319/phil-hawkes-blady-top-wyza-com-au_500x333.jpg" alt="Phil -hawkes -blady -top -wyza -com -au" width="500" height="333" /> Phil Hawkes hit the road to explore something different from the typical Queensland landscape <a rel="noopener" href="http://flyingarts.org.au/gallery-location/quilpie-museum-gallery-visitor-information-centre/" target="_blank">The Quilpie Visitor Information Centre, Gallery and Museum</a> has daily town tours which take you to Baldy Top lookout and Lake Houdraman with its abundant bird life. Upcoming events include the Polocrosse Carnival 25-26 June; the Quilpie Fringe Festival 1-2 July; and the Quilpie Show and Rodeo on 10 September. Troy says that visitors often stop in Quilpie for a night or two and then stay for a week. There is plenty to do! Next, <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.australianexplorer.com/eromanga.htm" target="_blank">Eromanga</a>. It’s just 108 kms from Quilpie and has suddenly become famous because of an extraordinary find. . . dinosaur fossils from 95-98 million years ago. These include the bones of the biggest dinosaur yet discovered in Australia, a Titanosaur named Cooper after his final resting place in the Cooper Basin. <img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://cdn.wyza.com.au/media/341320/phil-hawkes-royal-hotel-wyza-com-au_500x333.jpg" alt="Phil -hawkes -royal -hotel -wyza -com -au" width="500" height="333" /> The Royal Hotel in Eromanga holds a rustic charm To add to the prehistoric mystery, at nearby Eulo there have been discoveries of megasaurs, large creatures such as Kenny the Diprotodon. These are all displayed in a brand new building, the Eromanga Natural History Museum which is an absolute must if you’re out that way. Robyn Mackenzie, whose son made the first dinosaur discovery, is extremely knowledgeable and together with her passionate staff will enthral you with a guided tour. In Eromanga there’s also the fascinating Natural History Centre and also the Royal Hotel for a counter lunch with the chance to meet colourful locals such as “Giggles” who is an opal miner and a great storyteller. Eromanga is a real outback gem. <img src="https://cdn.wyza.com.au/media/341321/phil-hawkes-giggles-wyza-com-au_500x333.jpg" alt="Phil -hawkes -giggles -wyza -com -au" width="500" height="333" /> 'Giggles' is an opal miner and one of the friendly locals in Eromanga Last stop on the mostly unsealed road to Birdsville is <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.queensland.com/en-us/destination%20information/windorah" target="_blank">Windorah</a> another friendly, meet-the-locals kind of place. The Western Star Hotel is the social hub of the district and you’re welcome to introduce yourself to locals such as station owners and workers, a teacher, the local cop, an Indigenous elder and various blow-ins over lunch or if you’re lucky, an evening BBQ with excellent food. The Western Star has comfortable motel-style rooms and a camping area, and has won the “Best Outback Hotel” award for the last two years. Managers Marilyn and Ian Simpson exemplify true outback hospitality. Maureen and Helen at the Visitor Information Centre can arrange for local tours around Cooper’s Creek and the red sandhills, or get Jeff to take you out yabbying. And the Outback Store opposite the pub sells the best home-made relishes and preserves you’ll find anywhere. We tried Kim’s tomato relish and it’s almost worth a trip back to Windorah to get some more. Seeing this beautiful part of the country has given us a taste of the real outback and we’re already thinking about the next trip, and the characters we’ll meet - including Cooper and Kenny. Written by Phil Hawkes. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/travel/discover-the-delights-of-rural-queensland.aspx">Wyza.com.au</a>.

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