Sally Townley buys $510 land to become ratepayer in Coffs, didn't declare it.

Furore erupts after councillor living in neighbouring region fails to declare tiny block bought for $510, purely to become a ratepayer and shore up eligibility for elections.

Cr Sally Townley did not declare her $510 land purchase in the 2019/20 pecuniary interest register.

Revelations a councillor purchased a $510 piece of land to be eligible for elections have been labelled a “mockery” by a political rival.

Social media went into meltdown on Wednesday over Coffs Harbour City Councillor Sally Townley’s ownership of a parcel of land which was listed on a real estate website as being only 2 square metres.

Ms Townley, who lives in the neighbouring council area of Bellingen, confirmed she bought the property at auction in 2020 purely for the purposes of becoming a ratepayer and being eligible for the local government elections.

The actual size of the land is 25 square metres and is located on the side of Lyons Road in Toormina.

“(The land) has limited commercial value and no dwelling entitlement,” she said.

“But having been looking for property in the area for some time, this at least gives me the status as a ratepayer in order to stand for Council if I choose to.”

The tiny 25 square metre parcel of land was purchased by Coffs Harbour City Councillor Sally Townley. The Bellingen resident confirmed she bought it to become a ratepayer and be eligible to run in local government elections in Coffs Harbour.

Ms Townley also didn’t declare the purchase in the pecuniary interest register in 2019/20, a legal requirement of all councillors and senior staff.

The councillor said she had recognised the mistake and had taken steps to rectify the issue.

Ms Townley declared the property in the 2020/21 register which was tabled at Thursday's council meeting. 

Mayoral candidate Rodger Pryce said Ms Townley’s motivation for the land purchase was “not in the spirit” of local government legislation and “an affront” to residents.

Mr Pryce said he owned property in the Bellingen area but could never envisage standing for election there because he lived in the Coffs Harbour council area.

“If she has spent $510 to buy 2 sqm of useless land so that she can say she is a ratepayer in Coffs Harbour I think that’s actually quite a mockery,” he said.

“I don’t know what the rates are on that block of land but I would imagine it’s not a hell of a lot.”

Mayoral candidate Rodger Pryce said it doesn’t matter whether land was purchased for $500 or $500,000 it has to be disclosed. Photo by Brad Greenshields.

However, Ms Townley said she didn’t agree with the principle that council candidates should live in the area they represent, only that candidates should “stay within the rules”.

She also pointed out she is eligible to stand due to a rental premises in Sawtell.

“I am doing nothing wrong, although I admit it may look unusual,” she said.

“If a person lives in one LGA and works in the neighbouring LGA and is eligible to stand, I think each case can be looked at on merit.”

When asked if her decision might cause people to question her ethics or judgment as a political representative, Ms Townley said it could be seen as “a commitment to the area”.

“If people choose not to support me based on property ownership, rather than on my record on Council, that is their democratic right,” she said.

“But I am sure plenty of people will prefer to choose their candidates based on the person’s character, not their real estate portfolio.”