(back) Katie Milne, Barry Longland, Kevin Skinner (front) Warren Polglase, Joan Van Lieshout and Phil Youngblutt, (inset) Dot Holdom.

File photo

TWEED councillors and senior council staff are a mostly conservative lot when it comes to what they do with their own money.

A newly updated register of pecuniary interest declarations show most have stuck to bricks-and-mortar investments, such as their own home and in some cases a second, rental property.

If they do invest in shares it is mostly in solid, blue-chip companies.

One standout exception is Greens Party councillor Katie Milne, who says she has no property but a couple of debts.

By contrast, Mayor Warren Polglase has a string of manager or directorship positions boosting his income, although yesterday he said they did not pay much.

Cr Milne, who got the most votes in the council election in September last year, declared she has “nil” property, derives an income from her job as deputy manager of the Sheoak Shack Art Gallery and Cafe at Fingal and has debts to her credit card and Sheoak Shack owner Andrea McKay.

Cr Polglase listed his interests as an investment property in Sequea Court, Banora Point and income sources including six management or directorship positions in Broadbeach and Kingscliff-based companies.

They include Rodgam, Baclon, and Wakabe, based at Monarch Drive, Kingscliff, where he works at the Noble Lakeside Park, a residential “resort” for those aged more than 50.

Deputy mayor Phil Youngblutt listed his farm on the Tweed Valley Way south of Murwillumbah, his income as a councillor and a Colonial First State allocated pension.

Former mayor Joan van Lieshout, who is married to millionaire husband and eco-village developer Peter van Lieshout, listed her property as a jointly owned unit in Hill Street Tweed Heads, a jointly owned Carool Road home and her council income.

Barry Longland listed his Grants Road, Uki home, his council income and income as a self-funded retiree though a self-managed investment fund. The fund has 24 investments, including holdings in companies such as Boral, Fairfax and Lend Lease.

Former Kingscliff cafe operator Dot Holdom listed her jointly owned Kingscliff home and income as a councillor, while Chinderah motelier Kevin Skinner listed his properties as a house in Wommin Bay Road, Chinderah and his Chinderah Motel in Chinderah Bay Drive and his debts as a mortgage on the house.

Several senior officers had an investment property each, including planning chief Vince Connell, technology and corporate services director Troy Green, engineering and operations chief Patrick Knight and general manager Mike Rayner.

A number had numerous shareholdings. Mr Knight listed 21 shares investments in companies including APN News Media, parent company of the Tweed Daily News, Fosters and Virgin Blue.