Thirteen pieces of land will be sold in Rossarden alone, with two properties in Avoca, and one in Ross, Blackwood Creek, Deddington and Evandale also. 

Northern Midlands mayor David Downie said at least two of the properties were occupied. 

“I understand that there were two properties that have people living on them and those properties and the council were negotiating with and are hopeful that we can resolve that,” Cr Downie said.

“There is also one company that owns a lot of the land and I’m no too sure that they even know where that company is.” 

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Aberfoyal Tin Limited owe the council about $24,000, with unpaid rates dating back to 1993.

“We’ve been around trying to get that debt back before,” Cr Downie said. “So ultimately, if no one will buy the land then it comes back to being the council’s problem.”

“If you can find someone to buy the land then the land sale goes through and the rates are paid … But if not, I suppose in another five years we try again.” 

Cr Downie hoped the threat to have their property sold would encourage people to pay their rates.

“Having to sell someone’s land is not a very nice thing to do, but we have to have equity by all ratepayers and people by law have to pay their way,” he said. 

“If the council doesn’t pursue this money then the list of people who won’t pay their rates will dramatically grow.”

The council is the latest to jump on board will selling land. In November, both the Dorset and West Tamar councils voted to approve land sales because of unpaid rates. 

It follows the high-profile sale of a property at Mole Creek, owned by honey farmers, who believed they did not have to pay rates because the land was “owned by God”.

The Northern Midlands land will be sold if rates are not paid in about 90 days.