While Western Plains App recently reported that house prices have risen enormously across the region, there was plenty of inexpensive properties going under the hammer at Condobolin recently.

Real estate agents, JN Straney Real Estate conducted a sale of land on behalf of Lachlan Shire Council, as a way to recoup unpaid rates and charges.

All up, 41 properties were offered for sale. Of these, 32 properties were sold at auction and one further property was sold following negotiations after the auction. Eight properties were passed in or are still under negotiation.

"In accordance with Section 713 of the Local Government Act 1993, the rates and charges on the properties put up for sale have been in arrears for at least five years from the date on which they became payable," Lachlan Shire Council told Western Plains App.

 The total value of the outstanding rates and charges of the properties offered for auction was $911,909 and so far, proceeds from the sale have totalled $790,000. The total value of rates recovered from the sale to date is $543,855.

“Council recognises some ratepayers may experience financial hardship and have difficulty paying their bills from time to time," Lachlan Shire Council General Manager, Greg Tory, said. "In these circumstances we encourage people to contact our revenue team to discuss options for payment arrangement.”

The total value of funds held in trust, where the sale price exceeded the amount owing in rates and charges, which are to be refunded to the owners after the outstanding rates and cost of the auction is deducted, is $264,700.

Council is changing its tack to minimise the value of outstanding debt for unpaid rates and charges in the future by undertaking early and regular recovery action. There will be regular auctions for the

sale of properties where the rates are outstanding for longer than the statutory periods detailed in the Local government Act 1993 or agreeable payment arrangements have not been made.

“Council is open to any reasonable, regular payment commitment to assist ratepayers to reduce an outstanding debt or avoid falling into arrears," Mr Tory said. "It is important to act early to minimise the cost of interest on your account and to avoid debt recovery action and costs.”

Council told Western Plains App that If anyone requires further information about how to claim surplus funds they can contact Council’s revenue team.