Patrick Bellot, a local real estate agent and the husband of Mix 104.9 radio personality Katie Woolf, has been appointed chair of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation through a mysterious hiring process that does not appear to have been publicly advertised.

Mr Bellot was appointed by the Finocchiaro CLP Government to the plum gig with a pay packet of roughly $100,000 a year for a role that has a long history of hosting political appointees for less than part-time work.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Marie-Clare Boothby announced in an unusual Saturday morning statement that Mr Bellot will replace Richard Fejo, who was appointed by the former Labor government and resigned last month in protest over the CLP’s move to lower the age of criminal responsibility, stating that he did not want to “work for a government who is responsible for locking up 10-year-old children”.

Ms Boothby said Mr Bellot was chosen for the job due to his “extensive experience in property development and his passion for the Territory”, but did not explain if any other candidates had been shortlisted or if the taxpayer-funded job had been publicly advertised.

“Under the leadership of Mr Bellot, and with the support of a dynamic board, the Darwin Waterfront Corporation will continue its mission to transform the precinct into a thriving, world-class destination for all Territorians and visitors,” she said.

DWC board costs have skyrocketed since 2014, when the then-CLP government began appointing private citizens to the board rather than public servants, which currently costs NT taxpayers an estimated $300,000 a year in board fees to run, compared to roughly $80,000 in 2012.

The NT Independent understands Mr Fejo had his costs to enrol in the Australian Institute of Company Directors course covered by the DWC – estimated at $15,000 – with extra benefits having been provided to previous chairs, including former notorious CLP fundraiser Graeme Lewis, who chaired the board in 2013 as another CLP appointment.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro’s husband Sam Burke is the current deputy chief executive of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, after leaving a CLP ministerial chief of staff role to take the now estimated $200,000 a year job in late 2015.

Sources told the NT Independent that the Finocchiaro CLP Government could have used Mr Fejo’s resignation as an “opportunity to reduce costs by reshuffling the board and selecting a new chairperson internally”, but chose the more expensive option of bringing Mr Bellot on board.

According to the legislation governing the DWC, the corporation could function with only three board members, but currently consists of the maximum seven members, costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands a year. It has routinely failed to follow the legislation by renewing board members’ tenures past the maximum allowed term of three years.

Mr Bellot was involved in the former Labor government’s proposal to launch an “Aerospace Manufacturing Precinct” at the Darwin Airport, while working for the Airport Development Group, but that project fell through after anchor tenant Amphibian Aerospace Industries – the company that proposed building old amphibious airplanes in the NT – recently hit financial problems, with Ms Finocchiaro describing the project as “a joke”, despite Territorians still being out at least $5 million for the Labor-backed initiative.

Former Department of Infrastructure CEO and current Department of Agriculture chief executive Andrew Kirkman was also a former CEO of the DWC, later becoming a regular board member. Ms Boothby said in her Saturday statement that he has since resigned his board position and will be replaced by Department of Tourism CEO Suzana Bishop, as part of the government’s changes to the DWC board.

Mr Bellot said in the government’s press release that it was an “honour to lead the Darwin Waterfront Corporation at this time of change”.

“The Darwin Waterfront is a vital project for the city and the broader Top End,” he said. “My focus will be on delivering key development projects, through the Darwin Waterfront Masterplan, which will enhance the precinct’s reputation, utilisation and capacity to attract major business events and tourism visitors.”

Mr Bellot recently resigned his position as president of the Property Council NT to take on the DWC role, and left the Airport Development Group some time ago.

“Pat’s appointment as chair of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation reflects his exceptional advocacy for the Northern Territory and his extensive knowledge and experience across multiple sectors,” said Property Council NT director Ruth Palmer in a statement.

Property Council NT vice president Ben Finocchiaro, the Chief Minister’s cousin, will remain in that role while LJ Hooker real estate director Lee Doyle assumes the role of acting president, Ms Palmer said.

Katie Woolf told her listeners on Monday morning that she has always been “open and honest and upfront” about her husband’s job, when he was at the Airport Development Group, “because I don’t want there to be any kind of conflict of interest, nor would I expect that there would be in any way, shape or form”.

“My career is mine and his is his,” she said.

Note: This story has been updated to include Katie Woolf’s comments and correct that Mr Bellot is no longer employed by the Airport Development Group.