City seizes Mullewa property over rates

The City of Greater Geraldton will take possession of a property in Mullewa after councillors voted in favour of the executive recommendation at the council meeting on February 27.

The property, located on Main Road, Mullewa, has been the subject of legal action since 2013 as the City has attempted to recover outstanding rates and charges, dating back to 2011.

All outstanding rates and charges, valued at $27,142.94, plus unapplied penalty interest will be written off.

The City will then demolish the dilapidated building on the property and apply to have the land re-vested to the crown.

Cr Jennifer Critch, who moved the motion, said the building needed to be demolished as soon as possible.

“The property is in such a state of disrepair,” she said. “This is disappointing but we won’t get anything from the owners.”

Cr Lewis Freer, who voted against the motion, questioned if the City was required to “tidy up” the property.

The director of corporate and commercial services, Bob Davis, said it wasn’t a requirement but the City’s application could be unsuccessful if the building remained.

“If it’s left in the state it is, we could have a circumstance where the minister comes back and says no,” he said.

“Then we’d still have the burden of demolishing the building.”

The City has successfully re-vested eight properties to the Crown in previous years.

The motion was passed 14-1.