Bundaberg councillors’ registers of interests, potential conflicts revealed

Land ownership, group membership, assets or secondary income streams of more than $500 a year are among the possible conflicts Bundaberg councillors must disclose. See the list.

Bundaberg councillors conflicts revealed.

Bundaberg’s councillors are tasked with making daily decisions that shape the region’s future, but the nature of the job means they occasionally run into decisions affecting their own interests.

State law requires local councillors to keep and update registers outlining potential conflicts they might have to declare at meetings.

These potential conflicts include land ownership, group membership, assets, or secondary income streams generating more than $500 per year.

Conflicts can range from small matters requiring only a declaration to those requiring councillors to leave meetings to maintain the integrity of council decisions.

These are the details listed on the new Bundaberg council’s online registers:

Mayor Helen Blackburn

Helen Blackburn was elected mayor of Bundaberg Regional Council.

Ms Blackburn owns two properties, one residential in Bundaberg North and an investment property in Avenell Heights.

She received a campaign donation of $500 or more from Bundaberg Ag-Food & Fibre Alliance.

She receives income from the Department of Veteran Affairs and has listed other interests, including prior employment with South Beach Elliott Heads.

Councillor Jason Bartels

Jason Bartels was re-elected Division 1 councillor.

Mr Bartels has investments in JP and JF Bartels Partnerships, where he is a partner, sharing two-thirds of the business.

He owns two properties, a residential property in Sharon, and he is the sole owner of an 800m² residential property.

Other interests include Bartels Plumbing, which is still a registered business name but not an operating business, as it has not traded since 2012.

He does not engage in paid work in the field while being a councillor.

Councillor William Trevor

Bundaberg Councillor Bill Trevor.

Mr Trevor is a beneficiary for both Arianna Trust, where he is a farm contracting beneficiary, and Isis Farm Trust, where he is a dormant trustee beneficiary.

He is also a partner and owner of WR and GM Trevor and has leased residential land in Woodgate.

He has donated over $500 to the QLD Country Women’s Association Childers.

Mr Trevor is a life member of Childers Apex and the Isis Football Club.

Councillor Tracey McPhee

Tracey McPhee, Division 4 councillor.

Ms McPhee has shares in multiple privately owned companies, including GE BOV Spirit Pty Ltd, Intrepid Pipeline Pty Ltd, Jack Splat Paintball, Tsedaqah Pty Ltd, and Praxis Developments Pty Ltd.

She is a co-director of Jack Splat Paintball and a director of Tsedaqah No. 2 Pty Ltd and GE BOV Spirit Pty Ltd.

She also shares trusts in these businesses.

Ms McPhee is part of several family and business trusts, including McPhee Investment Trust, M and T McPhee Family Trust, McPhee Business Trust, McPhee Property Trust, and Praxis Developments Pty Ltd ATF Praxis Unit Trust.

She owns multiple properties and blocks of land in Bundaberg as a mixture of owner and landlord, with two properties leased.

Her other interests include Dan’s Elite Auto, owned by her brother-in-law, membership in the Sporting Shooters Association and Sporting Shooting Association Bundaberg Q32 branch, membership in the Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce, and a business expense of car parks rented at the rear of 176 Bourbong Street in Bundaberg.

Councillor Stephen Cooper

Steve Cooper, Division 8 councillor.

Mr Cooper has shares in ICU Solutions, Steve and Diane Cooper Superannuation, and Creskit Holding.

He is a 50 per cent partner in ICU Solutions.

He owns two pieces of land in Bundaberg and Bargara, with his Bundaberg property owning a one-third share of a future development and a rented place of residence in Bargara.

Councillor May-Britt Mitchell

Division 9 councillor May Mitchell.

Ms Mitchell is the owner and occupier of a residential address in Kalkie.

She is a Meals on Wheels volunteer driver and an English/literacy tutor at the Bundaberg Neighbourhood Centre.

Councillor John Learmonth

John Learmonth, Division 10 councillor.

Mr Learmonth owns shares and investments in privately owned companies Joy Learmonth Developments (subsidy of Olsen’s Store), JoDo Super, Pathrose, and Pathrose No. 2.

He is also a director and secretary of trustee corporations Pathrose, Pathrose No. 2, and JoDo.

Mr Learmonth is a board member of Queensland Yachting.

He has made over $500 worth of donations to many organisations, including the Bundaberg Arts Prize, the McGrath Foundation, the Vietnam Veterans Association, Walkervale State School P&C, the Bundaberg Show Society, the Red Cross, Thabeban State School, and the Bundaberg Eisteddfod.

He is also a patron and member of several clubs, including the Vietnam Veterans Association, Commodore Bundaberg Sailing Club, Bundaberg Race Club, and Queensland Yachting.

Councillor Gary Kirk

Gary Kirk was elected Division 7 councillor.

Mr Kirk is owner and occupier of a residential property in Innes Park.

Councillor Carmen McEneany

Carmen McEneany, division 6 councillor.

Ms McEneany owns and occupies a residential address in Kalkie.

She also retains income as a Thermomix Team Leader.

Councillor Deborah Keslake

Deb Keslake was elected Division 3 councillor.

Ms Keslake owns shares in two privately owned companies, LPE and WOW.

She also owns a home on 2.2 acres.

Her other source of income comes from Nuskin.

Councillor Larine Statham-Blair

Larine Statham-Blair, Division 6 Councillor.

Ms Statham-Blair owns shares in two privately owned companies.

She is also the director and company secretary of Crush Communications and Coral Coast Skin.

She is the owner and occupier of a Kalkie residence.

Ms Statham-Blair also retains income from the Liberal National Party of Queensland, Crush Communications, and Coral Coast Skin.

Originally published as Bundaberg councillors’ registers of interests, potential conflicts revealed