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