South Burnett councillors’ registers of interests, potential conflicts revealed
Explore the diverse personal interests and financial holdings declared by South Burnett’s councillors, ranging from real estate investments and agricultural partnerships to community leadership roles and business affiliations.
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South Burnett councillors must make decisions that shape the region’s future while managing potential conflicts of interest.
State law requires them to maintain and update registers outlining any land ownership, group memberships, assets, or secondary income streams generating over $500 per year.
These potential conflicts can range from minor issues, needing only a declaration, to significant matters requiring councillors to leave the room.
Mayor Kathy Duff’s extensive land and community roles, Councillor Jane Erkens’ real estate holdings, and Councillor Danita Potter’s land ownership all require careful management to ensure transparency and integrity in council decisions.
Mayor Kathy Duff
As part of the council register of interest, Mayor Kathy Duff has declared several assets and sources of income.
Ms Duff holds shares in a privately owned company, JP Duff and Sons Di Di Pty Ltd, and serves as the managing director.
She is a joint owner with her brother, Michael Duff, of 4047 hectares of land where cattle and timber are the main activities in the Boondooma area.
She also owns a rental property in Murgon.
Her declared donations of $500 or more include contributions to the Murgon Business and Development Association, Amelia Sippel, Blackbutt Avocado Festival, Proston Show Society, Murgon Show Society, and the Filipino-Australian Foundations of Qld Inc.
Among her assets valued over $5000 are a stock horse, a horse float, farm equipment, and a Toyota LandCruiser.
Ms Duff’s other sources of income include her silversmithing hobby, the sale of cattle and timber, and rental income from tenants. Additional interests she has declared are shares in Duff Racing, a donation to the Proston Men’s Shed, a donation to Proton Qld for the purchase of seven shops, and her role as a shareholder in JP Duff.
Ms Duff is also the patron of the Wondai Hospital Auxiliary, South Burnett Orchid Society, and the Nanango Kennel Club.
She also serves as a fire warden for the Waringa Rural Fire Brigade and is a member of the Liberal National Party.
Councillor Jane Erkens Division 1
Councillor Jane Erkens holds shares in Zamatex Pty Ltd, a private real estate agency in Nanango, where she also serves as the director, auctioneer, and licensee.
Ms. Erkens owns rental units on 2000sqm, a rental property covering 1016sqm, a 276sqm community shed, and an 18-hectare family home in Nanango.
Her declared income includes $500 or more per year from Nanango Real Estate rental income and salary.
Declared assets valued over $5000 are a Hyundai sedan, a Jurgen caravan, an Isuzu dual cab, and a Mercedes motorhome.
Ms Erkens is also the executive officer for the Shed Nanango Inc and is also a member of the Liberal National Party.
Councillor Linda Little Division 2
Councillor Linda Little has declared minimal assets in the council register of interest, listing only her private savings accounts. Additionally, she serves as a committee member for the Bacon Fest event ticketing.
Councillor Danita Potter Division 3
Councillor Danita Potter is a joint owner of residential land in Kingaroy and 40 hectares of recreational land in Kogan. While she has declared 997 for the Kingaroy property, it is unclear whether this figure represents acres, hectares or square meters.
Ms Potter serves as a board member for Taabinga State School and is the chair and council representative for both the South Burnett Suicide Prevention Working Group Inc and the South Burnett Community Consultative Committee.
Declared assets valued over $5000 are a camper trailer and a Toyota HiLux, both of which she co-owns.
Councillor Deb Dennien Division 4
Councillor Deb Dennien is in a farming partnership with her daughter, focusing on farming and livestock activities.
She owns 70 hectares of residential and farming land in Kingaroy and 16 hectares of residential land in Taabinga.
Her assets valued over $5000 include a Subaru MUX, a Kara Kara horse float, and a Ford tractor.
Additional sources of income exceeding $500 per year come from the Department of Justice and her real estate business, Debra Dennien Real Estate via @realty.
Ms Dennien is also a member of the Liberal National Party.
Councillor Heath Sander Division 5
Councillor Heath Sander owns various properties in Murgon, including 900sqm of residential land, a 950sqm rental property, 2500sqm of vacant land, and a 4500sqm commercial depot.
Mr Sander is also the president of the Rotary Club in Murgon.
Declared assets valued over $5000 include a truck, skid steer, trailer, excavator, Dingo loader, work ute, and mower.
Additional sources of income exceeding $500 per year come from Heathrow Pty Ltd, from which he also declared a financial gift of over $500.
Other interests listed by Mr Sander include COEX, Boondooma Dam, and Bjelke Petersen Dam.
Councillor Ros Heit Division 6
Councillor Ros Heit has declared a wide range of assets, roles, and interests in the council register.
She holds shares in Webjet and GrainCorp and is the director of Rural Solutions Qld Inc and the Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation.
She also serves as the chairperson for the Community Radio of Wondai.
Ms Heit has listed two family trusts, the K and R Heit Family Trust and the Hervey Family Trust, both involved in investment activities. She is also a partner in the K and R Heit partnership, which is listed as an investment.
Her property holdings include an 800sqm rental in Kingaroy, which she owns, and five rental properties held in trust: a 1000sqm property in Kingaroy, 1000sqm in Wondai, 1000sqm in Ipswich, 1200sqm in Ipswich, and 1000sqm in Salisbury.
Additionally, she owns a 100-acre residential and farming property in Wooroolin.
Ms Heit is a patron of both the Wondai Regional Art Gallery and the Wondai and District Town Band.
She serves as treasurer of the South Burnett Rail Trail Users Association and is the event director for the Wondai Country Running Festival and the Wondai parkrun.
Declared assets valued over $5000 include vehicles and farm equipment.
Other sources of income exceeding $500 per year come from rental properties, investment income, and Rural Solutions Qld Inc. Councillor Heit is also a member of the AgForce organisation.
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