Vehicles seized in Rockhampton, Gladstone for unpaid SPER fines

Enforcement officers conducted a field enforcement operation and recovered more than $400,00 in debts. The seized vehicles will now be sold at auction in Brisbane.

High-end 4WDs, a boat and trailer and Jeeps were among the vehicles seized in Rockhampton and Gladstone as offenders racked up thousands of dollars in unpaid fines.

A field enforcement operation was recently held in Central Queensland by the State Penalties Enforcement Registry.

The officers recovered more than $400,000 in debts and $1.9 million in payment plan commitments.

In Rockhampton and Gladstone, 20 vehicles were seized including a black Jeep Cherokee and black Wrangler, multiple Toyota Landcruisers, a white Holden Colorado, along with a silver Savage boat and trailer.

The persons whose vehicles were seized had tallied a range of unpaid fines, from traffic-related (speeding, mobile phone and red light camera), to fraud, drug and public order offences.

A 76-year-old man from Rockhampton had 30 fines relating to fraud and dishonestly obtaining property and speeding, owing a total of $24,085.

A 42-year-old man from Gladstone had 47 fines for speeding, tolling, seatbelt and public nuisance, owing a total of $15,888.

A 49-year-old man from Rockhampton had 10 fines for fraud, speeding and drug driving and owed $12,901.

A 41-year-old man from Rockhampton had 25 fines for speeding, drug offences and stealing and owed $8,901.

These vehicles may now be sold at auction in Brisbane.

A blitz was also held in Mackay and the Whitsundays in late-February, with SPER officers seizing 21 vehicles, recovering $400,000 in debts and $1.8 million in payment plans.

SPER Enforcement Director Kim Easton said the best way to avoid this from happening was to pay your fine on time.

“Otherwise our officers will take the necessary steps to enforce the law,” he said.

“If you don’t act, you can have money taken from your wages or bank account or have SPER officers visit you at your home or workplace to seize your vehicle to recover what you owe.

“SPER debts are money owed to all Queenslanders, including victims of crime, so if you refuse to pay you can expect to face tough action.”

Anyone who is having trouble paying for whatever reason should contact SPER on 1300 365 635 to discuss their payment options and avoid enforcement action.

Originally published as Vehicles seized in Rockhampton, Gladstone for unpaid SPER fines