An Australian district council will auction off more than a dozen properties in a bid to recoup unpaid council rates.
The South Australian town of Coober Pedy's district council plans to put 16 properties under the auction hammer to cover the costs of outstanding rates bills dating back three years.
Andrews Property director Warren Andrews told 7News the properties are residential blocks, commercial premises and incomplete underground dwellings that needed plumbing or electricity fitted.
He said some properties were still in good condition, while others were completely abandoned.
"I'm expecting a lot of buyers to be external. Cobber Pedy attracts a lot of interest from New South Wales and Victoria. It's very cheap real estate."
Prices started from about AUS$5000 for an 800sqm residential block, to AUS$800,000 for an office building. A three-bedroom home varied in price between AUS$30,000 to AUS$550,000.
And it's not the first time the local council has had to sell real estate to recoup outstanding rates, 7News reports. It's reported the council put 33 properties to auction in 2021.
