The West Coast Council hosted an unpaid rates auction at their council chambers on Thursday, with all 28 properties and vacant lots available being sold.
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Potential buyers came from across the state - with even Mona Foma artistic director Brian Ritchie making the trip over to suss out the options.
It is not confirmed whether he made a purchase or not.
Council mayor Shane Pitt said the level of interest at the auction was a promising sign for the region.
"Whatever happens with the blocks, we can see an increase in revenue for the council," he said.
"The council chambers were at capacity; I don't think we could have fit any more people in there."
It was so full, in fact, that Cr Pitt hadn't even been able to get inside - letting the bidders get prime position instead.
Cr Pitt said he believed that all up the sales were about $1.2 million, with sales ranging from $10,000 to $150,000.
It is not yet clear just how much of that will go to the council.
Cr Pitt said the council were taking it as a sign, combined with the level of use already being seen, that the decision to really embrace mountain biking and adventure tourism was paying off.
He suspected the sales of properties at Gormanston were particularly connected to this, with a number of properties having sold in the small town in recent months.
"We've gone through a stage where our population has severely decreased. We're starting to see that pad out a bit now.
"It's good to see."
Harcourts West Coast business owner Jenelle Carey praised her team after the long day.
"We knew there would be interest, but not quite so much - and the enthusiasm," Ms Carey said. "It was pretty decisive. "
The auction kicked off at 11, finishing just two hours later.
We knew there would be interest, but not quite so much.
- Jenelle Carey
Ms Carey said the team already had the fully signed contracts all done. She said it was a clear demonstration of the boom the region was currently going through.
"The whole of the West Coast has just been in demand for quite a while and prices have certainly risen in the last twelve months. The auction was just following that trend."
The second rates auction will take place on May 27.
Meg Whitfield
Journalist at the Advocate Newspaper, Burnie, proudly covering Tasmania's North-West and West Coast. Got a tip?
Journalist at the Advocate Newspaper, Burnie, proudly covering Tasmania's North-West and West Coast. Got a tip?
