Corporate Services Committee - 2 June 2026

Topics

• Council backs sale action on properties with long-overdue rates
  Committee supports legal action to recover long-term unpaid rates by selling listed properties if required.
  Could affect property owners in arrears and shows Council taking stronger compliance action to recover revenue.

Decisions

• Sale of land for overdue rates or charges
  Committee recommended that Council resolve to sell the land properties listed in the report for overdue rates or charges and delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer to take all further steps needed to complete, or end, the sale process under the Local Government Regulation 2012.
  Property owners with long-overdue rates may face sale proceedings if debts are not paid; the process is also relevant to ratepayers because it supports Council’s revenue recovery.

Discussion

• Rate arrears recovery process
  The report explained that Council can use the land sale process where overdue rates or charges have remained unpaid for three years or more, and outlined the required notice and auction steps.
  Residents and property owners can better understand the legal process Council must follow before selling land for unpaid rates.
• Budget impact and administration
  Implementation was said to be covered within existing Financial Services Branch budget provisions.
  This indicates the recommendation was not expected to require extra spending from Council budgets.

Impacts

• Property owners with long-term unpaid rates could have land sold after the statutory notice and auction process.
• Council’s rate arrears recovery efforts may improve, supporting general financial stability and service delivery.

Next

• Council to consider adopting the committee recommendation to sell the listed properties for overdue rates or charges.
  After the committee meeting, for consideration by Council.
• If adopted, the Chief Executive Officer to progress all required steps under the Regulation, including any sale procedures and possible ending of procedures if debts and costs are paid.
  Following Council adoption and according to statutory timeframes.

Extract

TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL COUNCIL CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE Members of the Committee Councillor Bill Cahill Councillor Edwina Farquhar Councillor Gary Gardner Councillor Trevor Manteufel His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Geoff McDonald Councillor Tim McMahon Councillor James O'Shea Councillor Kerry Shine Councillor Carol Taylor Councillor Melissa Taylor Councillor Rebecca Vonhoff of 12 Toowoomba Regional Council Corporate Services Committee 2 June 2026 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.Opening of Meeting 2.Attendance including Apologies, Leave of Absence and Declarations of Conflict of Interest Reports 3.Sale of Land for Overdue Rates or Charges 4.Meeting Concluded of 12 REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE CORPORAT...