Home sold at auction due to unpaid rates or charges

A Woolgoolga property with a long history of unpaid rates and charges to the City of Coffs Harbour was sold at auction on Friday. 

70-odd properties were slated for the auction at the Hub2 at South Coffs Harbour, however all but one were withdrawn from the sale after arrangements to the satisfaction of the City were put in place. 

43 Pullen Street, Woolgoolga, had an outstanding rates or charges bill of $54,185.29 in arrears. 

Council resolved to sell scores of properties listed in a public notice in accordance with the provisions in the Local Government Act 1993 and the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 (NSW). 

“This shows we are serious and will follow through where people fail to meet their legal obligations to the community,” City of Coffs Harbour General Manager Natalia Cowley said. 

“Rates are a shared responsibility, helping to fund the common assets of the community such as roads, water, parks, sewer and various public buildings.” 

One Agency conducted the auction which attracted a 30-strong crowd. 

The first bid was one of $100,000, soon creeping past $500,000. 

The hammer came down for the four-bedroom two-bathroom property at $555,000.