Sunshine Coast properties to be forcibly sold over unpaid council rates

A Sunshine Coast mum who lost her job during COVID-19 faces having her home forcibly auctioned due to unpaid rates. Find out which homes are being auctioned here.

Peachester resident Faith Tawhai-Smithenbecker is at risk of becoming homeless over unpaid rates, due to losing her job during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Sunshine Coast woman who lost her job during COVID-19 is facing the prospect of her home being forcibly auctioned due to unpaid rates.

It comes as Sunshine Coast Council has announced four properties that could be forcibly auctioned for unpaid rates at Foundation Square, South Sea islander Way, Maroochydore at 9am on Saturday, October 28.

The properties that are up for auction include 2/152 Alexandra Pde, Alexandra Headland, 458 Macdonalds Rd, Peachester, 38 Streek Rd, Glass House Mountains, and 107 Palmer Ave, Golden Beach.

Peachester property owner Faith Tawhai-Smithenbecker fell behind with rates after losing her cleaning job during COVID-19.

“It came down to putting food on the table versus rates,” Mrs Tawhai-Smithenbecker said.

“It’s been a hard slog, I got behind in rates and got arrears on my mortgage.

“It’s been hard, emotionally, physically mentally stressed, I have broken down where I was unable to handle anything.”

458 Macdonalds Rd, Peachester is up for auction over unpaid rates.

In a last-ditch effort, her family pulled together to help her pay the more than $10,000 she owes in rates, but she has still been told to move out.

“I actually paid the rates on Friday,” she claimed.

“I still have to go to auction because the trustee has taken possession of the property.

“I’m actually packing up now because I have to be out of here by November 10th.”

The auction notice put out the front of 458 Macdonalds Rd, Peachester.

The 58-year-old and her residing family members, consisting of her sister-in-law, daughter, and granddaughter are now at risk of becoming homeless.

“There is no where for us to go, we could quite easily end up homeless,” she added.

“At the moment we’ll be homeless.”

It’s understood the combined value of the overdue rates and charges for all four properties to be auctioned is $50,418.

A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson advised that a Sale of Land process is used only as last resort, after all other avenues to collect unpaid rates have been exhausted.

“Council understands some ratepayers have difficulty paying their rates and remains committed to assisting ratepayers who cannot pay in full by the due date,” the spokesperson said.

“Council encourages rate payers who are experiencing financial difficulties to contact us prior to the due date for rates to discuss a payment arrangement.”

Earlier this year, there were 67 properties identified as having rates and charges overdue for at least three years, with that figure dropping to 45 by April, nine by September, and four by October.

Over the last four years only one property has been auctioned as an outcome of the Sale of Land procedures and the property was not occupied.

Last year all property owners included in the Sale of Land process paid before the auction.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast properties to be forcibly sold over unpaid council rates