January 21, 2018
More than 230 South Burnett property owners face court action to recover $1.982 million in rate arrears.
At last Wednesday’s monthly meeting, Councillors heard that a November decision to engage Gold Coast debt collectors Recoveries and Reconstruction to recover $2.44 million in outstanding rates had already produced some results.
To date, $467,000 in unpaid rates had been recovered from 155 properties, with 120 ratepayers entering into payment arrangements.
But with close to $2 million still outstanding and insufficient contact from the remaining ratepayers, the next step would be to start legal action to collect the outstanding amounts.
About 9 per cent of council rates are currently in arrears, well above the State average.
“This is not a pleasant process and one that myself and Councillors wished we didn’t have to undertake,” Mayor Keith Campbell said.
“However the financial cost to our community is such that we need to take action.”
“Council understands and empathises with people struggling to make ends meet.
“But I’d encourage people who are in difficulty to contact the Council’s rates department, discuss their problems and set up a payment plan.”
The costs of court action would add to a ratepayer’s existing debt, making their situation even worse.
- Related article: Council Hires Debt Collectors
