Quilpie made international headlines in 2021 when it started offering blocks of land for as little as $12,500 when offset with a new homeowner’s grant.

The local council later increased the grant to $20,000 and claimed that when combined with local average residential land prices of about $25,000, it meant buyers would be able to secure house blocks for as little as $5000.

With a population of 800 people, the real estate didn’t move much before the land grants were offered and the town needed new blood.

Now land sales are what mayor Stuart Mackenzie claims to be an all-time high and plans had been brought forward for the tender to build a townhouse development.

It might not sound much, but eight blocks were sold in one month in the town. That’s a record. More sales were being negotiated and two builders were also moving to town next year.

The homeowner grants would continue to be offered but buyers could only qualify if they built a home on their block of land and lived in it for six months.

Local agent Dannielle Stevenson said she was rushed off her feet.

“I’m sure land hasn’t changed hands at such a rapid rate since opal mining exploded in the region in the early 1900s,” she said.

“I’m in discussions with several other interested parties who I’m sure will go ahead with their purchases.”

Mackenzie said the grants helped, but the increase in land sales was because the new residents were seeking a better lifestyle. Business blocks were also sold to allow for existing businesses in Quilpie and neighbouring towns to expand.

“While I think our homeowners grant helped put Quilpie on people’s radar, we’re finding it’s the liveability of our shire with work, education and lifestyle opportunities that is really proving the clincher as to why people are purchasing land and making plans to move to Quilpie,” Mackenzie said.

Brisbane residents Heather and Matthew Stennett are moving to Quilpie in early 2024.

Heather said her in-laws were also planning a move and would bring the family building company with them. The family home would be its first project.

“We were looking for a better, more affordable lifestyle for us and our twin boys before they start primary school, and Quilpie ticked all the boxes,” she said.

“Land is so affordable that our cost-of-living pressures will be relieved significantly, and the move to Quilpie will offer us a more relaxed way of living and wide-open spaces, has an almost non-existent crime rate and lots of opportunities for us work-wise as the region is crying out for trades.”