A huge plot of land that was claimed by the owner’s grandchildren 75 years after his death is to be sold at auction by the council after it fell into arrears.
The 1.8 hectare block in southeast Queensland’s Currumbin Valley has been largely dormant since owner George Bertram McClymont died in 1940.
McClymont purchased it in 1923 and planned to use it as a banana farm, however neighbors have occasionally used the land to raise horses and animals.
Mr McClymont’s descendants only came forward to claim ownership when it was reported in the local press that the site was being resumed as parkland in 2014.
At the time it was reported, Gold Coast councilor Chris Robbins had been told there were nine surviving grandchildren of Mr McClymont.
Both of his children died a long time ago.
The city’s finance chief, William Owen-Jones, said at the time that the council would discuss the future of the land with the McClymont family.
“If we follow due process and can link the property to its rightful owners, then this is what we want to do,” he said.
Huge piece of land that lay virtually dormant for 75 years after it was forgotten by heirs will be auctioned
Neighbors had assumed that the land must be publicly owned, since it had been dormant for many decades.
‘However, people would have to prove that they have a legitimate and legitimate claim to the land.
“If multiple plaintiffs ultimately come forward, the city will have to evaluate how best to proceed, but may have to resort to public advertising.”
Since the property had been considered non-rateable since the late 20th century, the family members were not charged council tax for all years until 2014.
Since then, the fees have been accumulating and the family is now $9,589.60 behind.
Gold Coast City Council acting chief executive Paul Callander said the property would be auctioned in early 2025 unless the arrears were cleared.
“We currently anticipate holding an auction in the first quarter of next year,” a Gold Coast council statement said.
A statement from the council said they had “resolved to sell the land because the overdue rates and charges have remained unpaid for a longer period than permitted under section 140(1)(c) of the Local Government Regulations 2012”.
The property, which is about 35 kilometers south of Surfers Paradise, is located between Currumbin Creek Road and several private properties.