Sunshine Coast Council is set to begin the process of selling properties with long-overdue rates debts.
The matter is outlined in the agenda for next week’s ordinary meeting, where councillors will consider commencing sale procedures for properties with unpaid rates outstanding for at least three years.
Council documents show there were 26 properties on the overdue rates list as of May 6, with combined debts totalling $424,474.19.
Under Queensland legislation, councils can begin the sale process for land where rates or charges have remained unpaid for an extended period.
If approved, the affected properties could ultimately be sold through a public auction process scheduled for October 2026, unless the outstanding balances are paid beforehand.
While the identities and locations of the properties have not been publicly detailed within the agenda documents, the total debt across the 26 properties averages more than $16,000 per property.
Council’s report notes that historically, most property owners or mortgagees settle the debts before any auction takes place.
The proposed action forms part of council’s standard debt recovery process and is aimed at recovering unpaid rates that contribute toward the delivery of local infrastructure and services.
Council documents state the commencement of sale procedures does not automatically result in a property being sold, with several stages involved before an auction can proceed.
Property owners are typically contacted throughout the process and are given opportunities to resolve outstanding debts or enter payment arrangements.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
Mortgage holders may also intervene to settle the outstanding amounts before a property reaches auction.
The report to council states that beginning the process is considered necessary due to the age and value of the unpaid debts.
