A Perth mayor accepted a $3300 gift including flights to the South West, wine and lunch, courtesy of an Indonesian coal mining company linked to leaseholders of her council’s two golf courses.
City of Bayswater mayor Filomena Piffaretti disclosed the flights, from PT Bayan Resources, on the council’s gift register, saying the coal miner was an “investor in the city”.
In her disclosure, Ms Piffaretti described the gift as a “return trip from Perth to Busselton including, brunch, lunch, wine and dinner back in Perth” on March 19, this year and estimated the value at $3300.
When approached for comment on Monday, Ms Piffaretti said she had followed her obligations by disclosing the gift and referred further questions about the travel to the City.
PT Bayan Resources was founded by Indonesia’s “coal king” Low Tuck Kwong, who also is the majority shareholder.
The Singapore-born Mr Low’s net worth, estimated at more than $30 billion by Forbes, makes him the second richest man in Indonesia.
Mr Low’s interests also extend to a 20 per cent share in Tengolf Group, which, after a deal inked in 2022, is responsible for managing Bayswater’s two golf courses — Embleton and Maylands, where it unveiled a new $4 million clubhouse late last year.
Tengolf Group also owns Margaret River’s Aravina Estate, through its offshoot, Tenhills Estates, purchasing the popular winery last year.
Bayswater chief executive Jeremy Edwards said: “As the City’s representative, the Mayor accepted a corporate hospitality invitation from PT Bayan Resources, who are associated with Ten Golf, the operators of Maylands and Embleton Golf Courses, and has fully declared the hospitality as required under the Local Government Act 1995.”
At a media event last year, opening the refurbished Maylands Golf Club, Ms Piffaretti talked about TenGolf Group’s redevelopment.
![The redeveloped Maylands Peninsula Golf Course clubhouse.](https://timesofsydney.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/432bf6a8fd4b0d4b60fd78706f573d3a5e217e5b.jpg)
“This will attract the wider community to visit the refurbished venue for new contemporary food and beverage offerings, as well as provide golfers great facilities to complement their game,” she said.
She said the outdoor dining area was the perfect place for families and friends to gather to relax, play, eat and exercise all in one space.
The West does not suggest there was any wrongdoing by Ms Piffaretti in making the media comments last year and accepting the gifts from Bayan Resources.
At the time of the new clubhouse opening, Tengolf Group director Sam Lee said his team was proud to deliver a modern facility to golfers and the community.
“We’re thrilled to enhance the golfing experience for our members and visitors through the completion of this significant redevelopment,” he said.
“We hope the new facilities will bring many years of enjoyment to visitors, whilst also contributing to the local area.”
Bayan Resources was contacted for comment.