An outback Queensland town is offering people $20,000 to build a home and move there, in a bid to boost its population and attract new residents.

Quilpie, located about 950km west of Brisbane, is offering a $20,000 homeowner grant to anyone who builds a house in the region and lives in it for at least 12 months.

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The initiative is part of the council’s push to grow the town’s population to 1000, with Mayor Ben Hall hoping to attract at least 10 new residents.

The offer comes as Quilpie prepares to put 60 residential lots up for sale next year, with the council hoping the financial incentive will encourage more people to make the move west.

‘It’s everything the city is not’

Speaking on Sunrise on Monday, Hall said the town offered a safe and prosperous lifestyle that was increasingly difficult to find in major cities.

“It’s safe. It’s everything the city is not,” he said.

“The kids still drink from the hose, they play on the street until the lights come on, and your car’s where you left it when you parked it last night.”

“It’s fantastic. It’s a great, safe community. It’s very prosperous. People here who live here, do well here.”

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While the town’s remote location may be a concern for prospective residents, Hall said Quilpie had essential services including hospitals, schools and shops.

While the town’s remote location may be a concern for prospective residents, Quilpie has essential services including hospitals, schools and shops.  Credit: Sunrise

The town is also connected to Brisbane by flights twice a week, and its local school caters for students through to Year 10.

Families with older children can access subsidised boarding school arrangements in south-east Queensland.

Building costs ‘considerably higher’

Hall said the cost of the land in the area was another selling point, with blocks averaging between $25,000 and $30,000.

Building costs, however, could be considerably higher than in south-east Queensland.

“Land is cheap and we’re giving you 20k back if you build a house,” Hall said.

“But then your building costs, I will admit, are quite a considerable expense compared to the south east.”

He said prospective residents did not necessarily need to build a conventional home, with the town embracing an outdoor lifestyle.

“We live a very alfresco lifestyle out here,” he said.

“It’s all what you’re looking for.”

The cost of the land in the area is a selling point, with blocks averaging between $25,000 and $30,000. Credit: Sunrise

Despite the ambitious population target, Hall said the council was realistic about how many people it needed to attract.

“We only need about 10 more. We’d be happy with that. 10 good quality ones too. That’d be fantastic,” he said.

“Just to mash in with the rest of us out here.”