Incentives are to be offered to first-time buyers to live in the centre of rural towns, according to the new Rural Development Minister.

Minister Heather Humphreys said the initiative is aimed at getting young couples to live “on the main street” rather than on the outskirts of provincial towns.

The plans include grants and the re-allocation of retail properties as residential zones.

Minister Humphreys said there are a lot of vacant buildings in rural towns that could be put to better use.