QSAS Featured in ABC News
Experts in Statutory Trustees
QSAS director Andrew Weatherley provides expert commentary on statutory trustee appointments following federal court order in Rockhampton
The Queensland Association of Statutory Accountants (QSAS) was recently featured in an ABC News report on the Federal Circuit Court’s appointment of a statutory trustee to oversee the sale of the long-vacant Rockhampton Plaza Hotel - a high-profile case that has attracted regional attention due to ongoing safety, public health, and redevelopment concerns.
QSAS Director Andrew Weatherley, a registered and experienced statutory trustee based in Queensland, spoke with ABC Capricornia reporter Vanessa Jarrett about the significance of statutory trustee appointments and how they are used as a legal mechanism to resolve complex property matters.
What Is a Statutory Trustee?
Statutory trustee appointments stem from provisions in Queensland property law that allow a court to appoint an independent trustee to manage or sell property where the owners have failed to address legal, financial, or safety obligations. This can occur in circumstances where:
the property is subject to legal orders or enforcement actions;
co-owners cannot agree on what to do with the property; or
outstanding compliance or safety issues pose ongoing risks to the community.
This legal tool (while relatively uncommon) acts as a safeguard to protect the interests of creditors, public authorities, and the broader community, ensuring that unresolved or deteriorating assets are dealt with responsibly under court supervision.
“Appointing a statutory trustee is generally a last resort,” said Mr Weatherley in the interview. “It’s a mechanism that gives the court a structured way to coordinate the sale or management of a property when other avenues have been exhausted.”
He went on to explain that trustees appointed under a statutory trust must adhere strictly to the terms of the court order, including directions on sale method (such as auction or expression of interest) and distribution of sale proceeds.
Case Context: Rockhampton Plaza Hotel
The former Rockhampton Plaza Hotel has stood closed since 2014, suffering severe deterioration and attracting legal actions from the Rockhampton Regional Council over public health concerns and unpaid rates. Court-ordered clean-ups and fines have highlighted the challenges local authorities face when properties become neglected.
With the Federal Circuit Court now directing the hotel’s sale under a statutory trustee arrangement, the case underscores the important role that legal and accounting professionals play in balancing enforcement with fair commercial outcomes.
Why This Matters
QSAS supports best practice in statutory accounting and trustee services across Queensland. Through voices like Andrew Weatherley’s, the profession contributes clarity and public understanding of nuanced legal-financial mechanisms such as statutory trusts, particularly in complex property and compliance settings.
For more on QSAS’s work, governance, and professional development in statutory accounting, explore our case studies and testimonals sections.