Latrobe Council joins property selling spree to recover $60,000 in unpaid rates

Another Tasmanian council is looking to sell off properties because the owners have not paid thousands of dollars in rates – some for decades. FULL STORY >>

ANOTHER Tasmanian council is looking to sell off properties because the owners have not paid rates – some for decades.

In January, the West Coast Council warned its tardy ratepayers it would sell 63 properties in the municipality if the money owed was not paid.

Now, the Latrobe Council is owed almost $60,000 in unpaid rates.

Mayor Peter Freshney said all the offending properties were either vacant residential or farm or bushland.

Three will be sold to recover $22,996 if rates are not paid within three months.

“This money has been outstanding for between 10 and 20 years,’ Mayor Frehney said.

Another eight properties will have their titles transferred to the council to recoup $30,000 in unpaid rates.

Latrobe mayor Peter Freshney at Sheean Walk. Picture: GRANT WELLS

“We have tried everything to locate the original owners or a family member. Some properties are owned by companies which are no longer registered.

“We have held off but it will be good to take these properties off the council’s bottom line.”

Last year the West Tamar Council said it would sell two properties owing about $8000 in unpaid rates.

West Coast Mayor Shane Pitt said about $600,000 was owed in rates in his municipality – almost 10 per cent of the council’s rate base.

“This is the final advertising that council can do to try to contact these ratepayers who may have moved on and haven’t forwarded an address, which is a big issue for our employees to try to track down some of these people.

“Some might have passed away as well.”

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