Ten properties were put to auction on Friday to recover the outstanding payments.
A strong turnout of more than 50 registered bidders attended, with all properties selling.
The 10 properties were among 23 flagged at risk of being auctioned by council earlier this year.
Property owners were given several months to arrange to pay the rates before the action was held.
Seven of the properties sold last week had outstanding accounts of less than $10,000, but three owed more than $30,000.
The properties were located across Coleambally, Darlington Point and Jerilderie.
Murrumbidgee Mayor Ruth McRae OAM said the result of the auction reflects both strong interest from the community and the importance of ensuring fairness in the recovery of overdue rates.
“It is never an easy decision to proceed to auction, but as a council we have a responsibility to all ratepayers to recover outstanding debts so we can continue to provide essential services,” she said.
“We are pleased that the outcome has enabled us to recover all monies owed to us at council.”
Cr McRae said council strongly encourages ratepayers to keep up with their rates payments, as recovering outstanding debts in this way is always a last resort.
“However, we will now move forward every February with the process of selling properties with arrears of rates greater than five years.
“This is good business management, ensuring the financial sustainability of the council, while making sure all ratepayers are meeting their obligations.”
When the auction was announced earlier this year, there were 23 properties with rates and charges owing for five years or more, totalling almost $385,000.
Council was pleased that the outstanding balances were settled on 13 of those properties prior to the sale, allowing them to be removed from the list.
Following settlement, the funds received from each sale are distributed in accordance with the legislation.
Money is first applied to cover the outstanding rates and charges and the costs of the sale, as well as any mortgages, caveats or similar claims.
Any surplus funds are then returned to the property owner.
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