While council staff made up the vast majority of air travel expenditure, councillors increased their spend from $6796.83 in 2010 to $15,265.65 last year.

Air fares for council staff totalled $114,170.63 last year compared to $100,492.22 in 2010, making a total $129,436.28 in air fares in 2011 compared to $107,289.05 the previous year.

The figures were revealed after Councillor Susan Nichols requested a copy of air transport costs to council for meetings and conferences outside Mildura during 2010 and 2011 for the mayor, councillors and staff.

Cr Nichols also requested information about Frequent Flyer points amassed and to whom and how they were used.

The councillor also asked to know how many Qantas lounge memberships council had and who they were for.

For more of this story, purchase your copy of Thursday's Sunraysia Daily 23/2/2012.