GRC to auction properties which haven’t paid their rates

Dozens of homes in the Gladstone region are set to be sold off by council within the end of the financial year unless their owners or mortgagees pay up more than $1M in combined unpaid rates.

Gladstone region properties that have racked up more than three years worth of unpaid rates are set to be sold off within the end of the financial year, unless their owners or mortgagees pay up.

The loss of revenue, as reported by council officers, totals $1,018,560.83 as of January 5.

General manager finance, governance and risk Mark Holmes said there were 71 properties eligible for sale of land action, one of which had since had its rates paid.

Councillor Chris Trevor said it was one of people’s ‘first priorities in life’ to pay their rates.

“The true utility of sale of land action lies not in its uniqueness, but powerful ability to focus the minds of owners as well as mortgagees on the implications of non-payment of rates, or alternatively on the implications of not abiding by the terms of a payment arrangement which councillors granted in good faith,” he said.

“It's unfair on other ratepayers who do pay their rates to see others not paying their rates.

“I have a very strong opinion on this and that is, invariably, what happens when we issue these notices is that mortgagees come forward if the owner is unable to pay and meet the payment of the rate anyway, to protect their security.”

The councillors voted in favour of selling the properties off.

According to council documents, if rates aren’t paid within three months of a notice of intention to sell, the council may auction the property.

The council anticipates the proceedings will be completed by June 30.