The Mole Creek home belonging to Chudleigh’s Melita Honey Farm owners will be auctioned on Friday to recover unpaid council rates.
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On Monday morning the Meander Valley Council announced the property, located at 36 South Mole Creek Road, Mole Creek, will be auctioned on September 1.
The Beerepoot family has not paid rates on three properties for three years, because they believe the land belongs to “the Heavenly Father” and is a matter between the council and God.
However, a mystery saviour made a last-minute payment of overdue rates last month for the two properties at Chudleigh that make up the honey farm.
Rates on the Mole Creek home have not been paid.
Meander Valley Council engaged First National Real Estate Deloraine to undertake the public auction after making efforts to resolve the issue with the landowner.
Mayor Craig Perkins said it was “disappointing that it has come to this”.
“Whilst this is not [the] council’s preferred course of action, all property owners in Meander Valley are required by law to pay rates as a contribution to the infrastructure and services that benefit the entire community,” he said.
Cr Perkins said funds received from the auction would reimburse the council for outstanding rates and the costs associated with the sale of the property.
Remaining funds will then be disbursed to any mortgaged liabilities on the property and the previous owners.
He said the property owners still have an opportunity to pay all amounts outstanding and the associated costs of sale up until the public auction commences on September 1.
If this was to occur, the council would cease the sale of land.