The Echo: Can you confirm that developer John Callahan is your wife’s father? It would be beneficial for the public to know what connections you have with local developers and what financial/property interests you may have. Can you please explain? Did you have an interest in land that was included in the residential strategy, for example?
Jack Dods: ‘No, my wife’s father died when she was nine. John Callanan is my mother’s boyfriend’.
‘John has three adult children of his own, and eight grandchildren. They are the beneficiaries of his properties and trusts. I am not a beneficiary to any of his interests.
‘Neither John nor I have a current interest in any land that was included in the residential strategy.
‘I have only one property interest in Byron Shire – 20 per cent ownership of my family’s farm in Federal that I own with my two sisters. My wife and I also own a small terrace house in Surry Hills (with a very big mortgage!), where we used to live. We currently rent our home in Ewingsdale.
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