Ratepayers owe the Labasa Town Council a total of $1.8million, unpaid for many decades.
The town’s Special Administrator Samuela Ligairi said the outstanding rates have delayed plans for their team.
“We operate on the rates paid to the council, but outstanding arrears is an issue we need to deal with, so we plan to have more consultation and hear from ratepayers the challenges they may face in paying up,” he said.
“These rates have been unpaid for many years and the past administrators faced this same issue, but we need to collect and work closely with the ratepayers.
“Ratepayers can also make arrangements for their payments to the council as we know that many people are struggling as well.”
Mr Ligairi said it was important for them to work closely with the ratepayers for the sake of development.
