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Millions in SPER debts as Sunshine Coast debt collectors come calling

SPER officers may clamp cars in debt recovery

Sunshine Coast residents with outstanding debts may get a knock on the door over the next week as enforcement officers target the region.

A team of debt collectors will be in the region from today, knocking on doors at homes and workplaces. 

The State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) says 25,000 individuals and businesses owe more than $50 million in unpaid fines and penalties. 

Enforcement Director Kim Easton says officers have the power to clamp tyres and seize vehicles. 

"Typically we will take action such as taking money from their bank accounts, or garnishing wages, or otherwise clamping and seizing their vehicles."

Mr Easton said there were at least 50 debtors in the Sunshine Coast region who had refused to pay their fines and penalties, leading to large SPER debts.

The SPER crackdown is part of a statewide operation. (Supplied: SPER)

"When people don't pay their original infringement or fines from for example, the Queensland Police, it's referred to SPER and an additional $75 or so is added," he said.

"They've simply made a decision not to pay their pay their debts and so we're put in a position where we're forced to take stronger action."

Debts 'do not go away'

The Sunshine Coast region has the ninth-largest outstanding SPER debt in the state at $51,175,000.

Topping the list is Logan - Beaudesert with $145 million, the Gold Coast has $142 million outstanding and Ipswich $114 million.

Cars, motorbikes, trucks, boats and jet skis are among the items that can be recovered. (Source: SPER)

Mr Easton says the money collected goes towards paying for services and staff across the state.

"It certainly is a very large amount of money that's owed to the people of Queensland, and SPER is committed to collecting this money," he said.

"It pays for our police and pays for our schooling, our roads, all of our state state obligations.

Officers will be specifically targeting Noosa, Maroochydore, Caloundra, Nambour and Cooroy during their week-long operation.

"People will be given an opportunity to pay their debt to address it," he said.

"If they simply refuse to pay it, then they'll face tough consequences, such as clamping or seizing their vehicles."

SPER debt by region, April 2022

Figures have been rounded down | k = thousands | mil = millions

Region
Debtors
Debts   
Outstanding 

Logan - Beaudesert

46k

514k

$145mil

Gold Coast

65k

464k

$142mil

Ipswich

40k

381k

$114mil

Moreton Bay - North

25k

242k

$75mil

Brisbane - South

31k

230k

$73mil

Brisbane Inner City

29k

195k

$60mil

Wide Bay

21k

158k

$55mil

Townsville

20k

160k

$54mil

Sunshine Coast

24k

154k

$51mil

Central Queensland

18k

136k

$47mil

Brisbane - North

16k

155k

$46mil

Cairns

22k

137k

$44mil

Brisbane - East

16k

144k

$43mil

Moreton Bay - South

15k

137k

$41mil

Queensland - Outback

14k

107k

$39mil

SOURCE: SPER

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