Dirt cheap: welcome to the delightful Queensland town that can’t seem to give land away

Quilpie, a small Queensland town, is giving away land and housing grants in an attempt to expand its population and combat the national housing crisis.

The full report

In the heart of the Australian outback, the opal town of Quilpie is looking to expand its tiny population by giving away land and housing grants. The local council has announced its biggest ever land release, offering 62 new residential lots along with a $20,000 grant for those who build a home. This is not the council's first attempt at jump-starting its housing market, as they previously launched a 'free land' giveaway in 2021, which generated hundreds of inquiries and headlines across the world.

The town of Quilpie has a median age of 42, a golf course, a bowls club, and a welcoming community, making it an attractive prospect for anyone struggling to break into the market. However, despite the council's efforts, the town has only seen two homes built in the past five years, falling short of their modest target of five homes in two years.

The Stennetts, a family who moved to Quilpie in 2023, have experienced firsthand the challenges of building a home in the town. They established a construction company with ambitions to build the neighbourhood up around them, but have found the costs of building 'out west' to be prohibitively expensive. Despite this, they have found a home in the community and love the town's laid-back atmosphere and sense of community.

Quilpie's efforts to combat the national housing crisis are not unique, as similar schemes have been implemented in other parts of the world, including Italy's €1 houses and Japan's zero yen akiyas. However, the town's struggles to attract new residents and build homes highlight the complexities of addressing the housing crisis in rural areas.