Gunnedah Shire Council will auction 16 properties on Friday, May 27 to recover rates and charges that have remained unpaid for more than five years in the case of occupied land, or one year in the case of vacant land.
Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth said it was necessary to take the action in cases where every attempt to contact and obtain payment from the property owner had been unsuccessful.
"For these properties, this is the final step in a lengthy process to recoup rates and payments after every other avenue, including payment plans, has failed," Mr Groth said.
"It is not something that is undertaken lightly, and is carried out in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 which stipulates Council may sell land on which a rate or charge has remained unpaid for more than five years.
"This auction is being held to clear the total outstanding amount of $139,345.23 that is owed by the various property owners. Nearly all of these properties are vacant land."
Eleven of the properties are in Breeza, two are in Tambar Springs, and there is one property in Gunnedah, Curlewis and Premer.
The Local Government Act 1993 states surplus funds from the auction of properties with outstanding debts are held with Council's Trust Fund pending discharge to persons having interest in the properties. Where no claim is forthcoming, the balance of sale proceeds is remitted to the State Government in accordance with the Unclaimed Moneys Act.
