Council is also about to sell vacant land where outstanding rates exceed the property value.

Twenty-seven properties have been identified to go under the auctioneer's hammer at 11am on Saturday in the council’s Committee Room.

Council’s Corporate Services director, Mitchell Johnson, said advertisements had been placed in local newspapers and online about the impending sale of land to recover the unpaid rates.

“Prior to listing the properties for sale, council offers hardship payment plans and negotiates with property owners in an effort to assist them pay off the debit but after numerous requests to pay the outstanding rates and charges, eventually we have to sell their properties to recoup costs,” Mr Johnson said.

“It’s sad that council has to take this path, however it would be unfair on ratepayers who pay their rates in full and on time."

He said it was the landholder’s responsibility to open the lines of communication with council if they were falling behind in paying rates. However he said the council makes every effort to try to contact landholders.

"We can work out an agreeable payment plan such as paying rates on a fortnightly or monthly basis, rather than waiting until the quarterly bill; or in some cases landholders are able to apply for relief under Council’s Hardship Policy.”

“Auctioning off someone’s home or land is always council's last resort,” Mr Johnson said.