WHEN drought and declining population threatened the future of Cumnock Primary School in 2008, locals banded together and took matters into their own hands.
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The privately run Rentafarmhouse Project was the result - a bold scheme overseen by the local progress association to reinvigorate the small rural community by renting vacant farmhouses for $1 a week to attract new families to the district.
While saving the primary school's bus service and increasing enrolments were the initial goals, the scheme also strengthened the town located north-west of Orange.
The project was launched in November 2008, with the first families moving into their homes the following January.
"At the time, our area was the victim of drought and declining population as people moved away due to a lack of employment opportunities," said project co-ordinator Christine Weston (pictured).
"The school enrolments were at 32 children but we've since been able to boost this to 62 and maintain the enrolments."
Under the scheme, people sign up for a set three-year period for the $1 a week rental offer, and at the end of this period the tenants negotiate with the farm-house owner to continue to rent the dwelling.
Some have gone on to buy their own home, while others have made the decision to move to larger centres, and Mrs Weston said about 80 per cent of the families who'd taken part in the scheme remained in the bush because they liked the rural lifestyle.
"However, as the children get older and need secondary schooling some families have moved to larger regional centres to continue their children's education, and I think this is something cyclical we'll continue to see happening in the future," she said.
Mrs Weston said 15 other towns and communities across Australia - including Tullamore, Rugby, Coon- amble, and Trundle - had also adopted the Rentafarmhouse scheme rather than adapt to a declining population.
