General News
31 May, 2025
Council loses out on rate payment
A RATEPAYER who declared bankruptcy will avoid paying approximately $277,000 owed to Mareeba Shire Council, leaving revenue down by almost 1.5 per cent for the year ending June 30 2025.
The property was given a mining lease by the state government and was charged rates by the council according to a mining lease category, which takes into account the size of the property, number of staff and other operation factors.
Rates were issued on 24 February this year, but council was told at its meeting last week that the money was likely “unrecoverable”, as the mining operation had closed. This would impact next year’s budget.
“It’s really hard for a small council like us,” Mayor Angela Toppin said.
“It doesn’t happen often. We don’t have many large mining operations.
“Now that the operation has closed down, the property comes under a different category, and the rates would only come in at about $1000.”
The due date for rates was 28 March, and council issued 961 first reminder notices on 7 April, for rates amounting to $2,779,098.91. Payment was due on 21 April.
Council heard another 478 second-reminder notices, totalling $700,421.59, were sent to the print house on 28 April.
So far $60,884 had been collected during April.
In March 14, Notices of Intention were issued to properties identified under Sale of Land. One property had paid in full.
Council heard that some 20 properties were now identified for sale of land and 11 of those were mining leases.
“They are a lot more difficult to recover and sell,” a council officer said. “We do keep in contact with the state because the mining leases are with the state. Sometimes the state will step in and cancel the lease and sometimes they don’t.”
