March 19, 2018
Brooklands resident Grant Newson has failed in a bid to have a dispute over alleged unpaid rates transferred to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) for adjudication.
Mr Newson’s alleged debts to the South Burnett Regional Council of approximately $975 and $1763, owing on a property at Brooklands and vacant land in Maidenwell, were mentioned in the Kingaroy Magistrates Court (Civil) on Friday afternoon.
The court heard that Mr Newson had withheld payments of the $200-a-year council road levy because he believed it had been introduced for just 12 months to cater for flood repairs.
He believed the levy would have had to be “reformatted” by Council to continue past that initial 12-month period.
The debts also included “discount” amounts that ratepayers forfeit if their rates are not paid in full and on time.
Mr Newson, an unsuccessful candidate for Mayor at the last Council elections, sought to have the debt dispute adjudicated by QCAT, an independent tribunal.
However, Magistrate Andrew Hackett refused the application as the civil case had already begun.
Mr Newson will now be expected to file a defence with the court.
If mediation fails, a civil trial could be expected later this year.
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Earlier this year, the South Burnett Regional Council warned that more than 230 property owners could face court action to recover $1.982 million in rate arrears.
Gold Coast debt collectors Recoveries and Reconstruction would be initiating the court action.
Only two people – Mr Newson and another – have made applications to the court; the rest are expected to be dealt with administratively.
