IN a bid to drive more people into the community, Richmond Shire Council plans to offer $1 blocks of land to successful ballot applicants.
Interested applicants will have to meet specific simple criteria and have a letter of credit from the bank to be successful in registering for the ballot.
Richmond Shire Mayor John Wharton said he received almost 500 emails of interest on Monday.
"The frenzy has been unbelievable," he said.
"This is about attracting people to our region and letting them experience a country town with a good family lifestyle."
He added there had been thousands of hits on the Richmond Uncovered website and that he had received many calls from interested interstate applicants.
If the plan goes ahead, it is proposed those who fit the criteria would be thrown into a ballot which would be drawn in the next six months.
Buyers will have to build a house on the block of land within four years of purchase.
Cr Wharton said that around four blocks of land would initially be sold before considering selling more in the future.
He also said the Shire would negotiate rate rebates to companies which set up in the town.
"If the company is big enough and employs enough staff then we would definitely negotiate rate rebates," Cr Wharton said.
The move comes after the launch of the Richmond Uncovered campaign this month, which aimed to encourage population growth following a decline in the number of people living in the area.
There are just over 800 people who currently live in the area.
Richmond Lakeview Caravan Park manager Jules Beatham-Driscoll said she was supportive of the initiative.
"It would be great to bring more skilled people to the area," she said. "We lack in a lot of areas such as electricians, plumbers and mechanics."
