THE Crime and Corruption Commission Queensland has referred a complaint about Townsville City Council to the Local Government Department.

Businessman Philip Batty complained to the CCC late last year, alleging a conflict of interest by Mayor Jenny Hill over a trip to India and the council's investment in an airstrip in the Galilee Basin.

At the time, the CCC said the airstrip was not owned by the council.

The CCC said on Monday it would not comment.

A department spokeswoman would not comment on matters that "may or may not be under investigation".

A Townsville City Council spokesman said the council had not been contacted by the department over the matter.

Late last year the council had said it understood the complaint was "largely identical" to another matter that had been dismissed.

"Mayor Hill declared Adani's contribution to the trade mission on her publicly available statement of interest, published on the council website," a statement read.