Pay up or get out: Council's rates dodger crack-down

SOME Coast property owners will be in for a nasty shock this week.

Finance portfolio councillor Chris Thompson said auctioning properties was the last resort, used only after the council had exhausted all avenues to allow property owners time to pay.

SOME Coast property owners will be in for a nasty shock this week.

And it is one they had better take seriously.

Sunshine Coast Council will send 205 properties a final notice advising they have three months to pay their outstanding rates, or their home will go under the hammer in November.

The properties concerned have three or more years of rates and charges owing.

Finance portfolio councillor Chris Thompson said auctioning properties was the last resort, used only after the council had exhausted all avenues to allow property owners time to pay.

"These property owners owe a combined amount of more than $2.1 million," Cr Thompson said.

"We are now at the critical point of commencing the auction process, having gone through in some cases up to 30 contacts by council staff to encourage payment of these outstanding rates and charges.

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"As well as payment plans, council officers have advised ratepayers of various options including contacting a financial counsellor, contacting their mortgagee regarding refinancing, seeking interest-free mortgage relief loans through the Department of Housing and Public Works and accessing early release of superannuation through the Department of Human Services.

"While not required to do so, council also sent letters to 292 property owners requesting payment by June 3, to provide an additional opportunity to pay.

"As a result of those letters and subsequent action, we have been successful in 87 properties being removed from the process, with 26 properties clearing debts entirely.

"Another 61 properties have collectively paid $540,000."

A request by hinterland councillor Greg Rogerson to consider giving some owners more time was rejected.

Cr Thompson said council had a community responsibility to collect monies owing to it in a timely manner to carry out essential services and ensure effective cash flow management.

He said previous experience was most debts were settled before auction stage.

Originally published as Pay up or get out: Council's rates dodger crack-down