Heritage the attraction in long-range reno Garry Eyre drives a round trip of 3000 km from his home in Kingaroy to renovate the 1900's house he bought in Richmond, North Queensland. IT may look like a derelict shack of timber and tin, but for retired artist Garry Eyre, it's a priceless piece of small-town history. That's why -- after spotting the dilapidated century-old home while visiting family in Richmond, western Queensland -- he bought it for $30,000, saving the house from the fire brigade's match. And that's why he's vowed to make as many 3000km round trips from his home in Kingaroy as it takes to renovate and restore the two-bedroom cottage. "That's what I'll get joy from -- seeing it come to life again," Mr Eyre said after a two-week visit to straighten the front veranda, install new stumps and repair holes in the roof. For Richmond, 500km west of Townsville, the investment is a godsend. The town has missed out on the mining boom and each year its population steadily declines. At the 2011 census, 938 people called Richmond Shire home, 11 fewer than 12 months before. Five years ago, the council sold blocks of land for $1, aiming to inject life into the bush community. Now, council chief executive Graeme Potter hopes people will follow Mr Eyre's lead and see value in the town's decaying heritage structures. "Country towns have characters and character buildings," Mr Potter said. Here, a character is having life breathed back into it. The renovator only had to mention at a barbecue how handy it would be for the water to be reconnected to the property, and Mr Potter made it happen the next day. Mr Eyre admits that while some locals have scoffed at the price he paid in November for the condemned home and half-acre (2000sq m) corner block, but he reckons the land alone is worth $25,000. " (When I first saw it), it irked me that if someone didn't take it on, it would end up flattened or someone would have put a match to it," Mr Eyre said. A lot of people in this town's history is represented by this house. He's not in it for the money, but website Richmond Uncovered estimates family homes in town start at $160,000, while a "renovator's delight" could set you back $80,000. Mr Eyre is beginning to unravel the house's history, through talks with Richmond residents. It's thought the house was erected in 1900 -- give or take 10 years -- after being carried in two pieces on the back of a stock-drawn dray from the coast. As was common at the turn of the century, the kitchen was separate from the main structure, separated by a breezeway, to protect the home from fire. Its silky oak frame has remained sturdy for more than 100 years; the choice of timber was protection from termite incursions. As for its former occupants, 68-year-old neighbour Phillip Matthews -- who has lived in the town his entire life -- remembers sitting down for cups of tea with the Smiths, who owned it for many years until the mid-1990s. As for Mr Eyre's endeavour, Mr Matthews is supportive. "I hope he makes a go at it," he said. There were two or three more little houses like that in Richmond, but they're all gone now and new ones built. It's a bit sad.