Queanbeyan Council Sells Off Land to Recoup Unpaid Rates Amid Confusion Over Ownership

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council is auctioning off 24 properties with unpaid rates, including a parcel of land that has been assumed to be part of a family's property for over 65 years. The council is seeking to recoup almost $20,000 in unpaid rates, but the land's value is estimated to be only $3,500. The council's inaction has been criticized by locals, who claim that the delay has driven up the value of the land.

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) is set to auction 24 properties, including a parcel of land that has been mistakenly assumed to be part of a family's property for over 65 years. The council aims to recoup nearly $20,000 in unpaid rates, but the estimated value of the land is only $3,500. The auction will take place at the Queanbeyan Bicentennial Hall on May 2, 2025 [1].

The parcel of land in question is located in Charleys Forest, a rural area near Braidwood about two hours east of Canberra. It is described as approximately 10 metres wide and 400 metres long, complete with pine trees and a boundary fence. The land was assumed to be part of the property owned by Gina Greentree and her husband, who discovered the error only recently [1].

The council has been criticized for its inaction, as the unpaid rates on the property were known as early as 2013. The delay has driven up the value of the land, with Ms Greentree stating that the cost of purchasing the land has doubled in the past two years and more than quadrupled in the past five years [1].

Ms Greentree and her husband plan to bid on the land, despite the confusion surrounding its value and the potential for errors in the sale listing. The council has conceded that there has been some confusion regarding the mapping of the property, and has met with residents to clarify the lot [1].

The auction is part of QPRC's crackdown on unpaid rates, with 24 properties to be sold. The council has stated that the amount in arrears will not impact the asking price, and if the block sells for less than the rates outstanding, the council will write off the difference [1].

The auction is intended as a quick way to transfer title deeds for properties that have been missed in sales over generations. The council has been proactive in contacting neighbours and advertising the properties for sale [1].

References:
[1] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-02/queanbeyan-palerang-council-auction-lots-unpaid-rates/105240274