This policy outlines and details the City’s debt management and recovery decisions, process and practices.
The policy aims to ensure overdue general debts, rates and charges are collected in a fair and reasonable manner, and where required in line with the City’s Financial Hardship Guidelines. The City is committed to ensuring all ratepayers and general debtors are treated equally and given a fair opportunity to pay outstanding debts.
Local Government Act 1989 - Section 181
Section 181 of the Local Government Act allows Council to sell properties where rates and charges are more than three years overdue.
The City’s Revenue and Debt Collection Policy outlines the circumstances and process for the sale of land to recover debts.
The City shall utilise the sale provisions under Section 181 of the Act in the following circumstances:
- Where all other recovery attempts have failed; and
- Where at least three full years rates and charges remain unpaid
Preparation for sale of property should commence:
- As soon as permitted under the Act; and
- Where five years rates and charges remain unpaid for owner occupied dwellings
Notices
The City intends on or after the 13 October 2023 to sell the following property:
Lot 6 on Registered Plan of Strata Subdivision 017889 being the land described in Certificate of Title Volume 9475 Folio 274 at 6/52 Happy Valley Road, Ironbark Vic 3550.
The City intends on or after the 25 March 2024 to sell the following property:
Crown Allotment 9A and Crown Allotment 29 Parish of Knowsley East being the land described in Certificate of Title Volume 2222 Folio 339 at 580 Tunnecliffs Lane, Knowsley, Ironbark Vic 3523
Please contact the Rates team on 1300 002 642 if you have any queries.