Rockhampton council to acquire Westwood properties for overdue rates

Addresses for the blocks of land Rockhampton council plans to acquire should owners fail to settle years worth of unpaid rates have been revealed.

Central Coast Council rates notice

Rockhampton Regional Council will acquire two blocks of rural land in Westwood it claims owners have failed to pay rates on for many years.

While the regular process is to sell properties by way of a public auction, these rural blocks are understood to be of less value than the overdue rates.

A notice for the acquisition of the land at 302 and 406 Augusta St, Westwood, was published by the council on July 27.

The blocks of land on Augusta St, Westwood, will be acquired by Rockhampton Regional Council.

The two properties have different owners and are around 2,000 sqm in size each.

A council report published by this publication in 2021 stated both properties had been in arrears since June 2014 and $12,150.25 was owed on each.

The properties were valued at $7,400 each.

They are understood to be vacant with no improvements.

Under the Local Government Act regulations, the properties fall under the “worthless” category as the outstanding rates are more than the valuation, allowing council to acquire the land.

According to the public notice, the land will be acquired unless the overdue rates are paid.

Council acting CEO Ross Cheesman was unable to disclose the specific amount owed however confirmed it was more than three years' worth.

He said the council did not have immediate plans for the land should it be acquired.

“If we receive an offer to purchase then this would be considered and dealt with under the provisions of the Local Government Regulation 2012,” Mr Cheesman said.