QSAS Featured in ABC News
Experts in Statutory Trustee Appointments
QSAS Director, Andrew Weatherley, provides expert commentary on statutory trustee appointments following federal court order in Rockhampton
Queensland Statutory Asset Services 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, an 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 property disputes.
What Is a Statutory Trustee?
Statutory trustee appointments stem from provisions in Queensland Property Law Act 2023 that allow a court to appoint an independent trustee to manage or sell real property where there is a dispute between the owners or 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.
“Appointing a statutory trustee is generally a last resort,” said Mr Weatherley in the interview. He went on to explain that trustees must adhere to the terms of the court order, including any possible 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 the Property Law Act 2023 can play to resolve disputes and cause a property to be sold for the benefit of all parties involved.
Why This Matters
The QSAS are experienced in handling various statutory trustee appointments across Queensland and assisting with the resolution of property disputes with the sale of the applicable property in a reasonable and rational way.
For more on QSAS’s work explore our case studies and testimonials sections.