Steve Jackson to challenge Greg Williamson for Mackay mayor
A successful business owner, real estate agent and former footy player will brave the court of public opinion to try to become Mackay’s next mayor and push out Greg Williamson.
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A successful business owner, real estate agent and former footy player will brave the court of public opinion to try become Mackay’s next mayor.
Lenard’s franchisee Steve Jackson will challenge incumbent mayor Greg Williamson to secure the top job at Mackay Regional Council come the March 16, 2024 election.
The former Canberra Raiders player, who is the owner of Lenard’s at Mount Pleasant Centre and Caneland Central as well as a sales agent with Vision Real Estate, has described the region as a “sleeping giant”.
“Four months ago I was approached by a group who call themselves Mackay First (to run), and I pretty well sort went, ‘Oh dear, I’ve never thought of that’,” Mr Jackson said.
After getting his family’s approval, and getting advice from an old footy mate, the 57 year old thought to himself, “you know what, I’m going to shake it up, and it’s not going to hurt.”
“I work seven days a week, I don’t shy away from hard work.
“I love hopping outside the square and challenging myself with anything.”
Check back with the Daily Mercury next week for more on Mr Jackson.
In responding to Mr Jackson’s challenge, Mr Williamson told this publication he had “never been backwards in telling anyone” that he intends to fight for a third term as mayor.
“We have a lot of projects underway at the moment that I’d like to see finished,” he said, adding this included the Waterfront Priority Development Area, work in the biofutures realm and housing.
“Yes I’ll put my hand up again for mayor and it’s a free country so anybody can have a go,” he said.
“That’s the beauty of living in a democracy.”
Mr Williamson ran unopposed in the 2020 mayoral race but 2024’s competition may have up to four candidates.
Councillor Martin Bella said Mr Jackson’s bid made for a healthy competition and democracy and “the idea of a three-way (mayoral) contest is very, very interesting”.
While he would not firmly rule himself out of becoming a contender, he said he was 99 per cent certain he would run for re-election as a councillor.
“To be honest, I see myself in my situation as adding a bit of sobriety and realism to debate and want to continue to do that,” Mr Bella said.
He added the region must find its voice among the state and federal governments and not preoccupy itself with not biting the hand that treated local councils like “dogs around the floor of the Lord’s table … picking up the scraps”.
“We’re worried that if we bark too loudly, we’ll get kicked out of the room,” Mr Bella said.
“What we should be doing is all bark enough so we get seats at the table.”
Councillor Laurence Bonaventura said he was “certainly at this stage” running for a councillor spot but said “no comment” regarding any mayoral ambition.
What the other Mackay region councillors said:
Pauline Townsend
“At this stage I can say I am definitely considering running again (as councillor),” Mrs Townsend said.
She said “good on (Mr Jackson) for having a go” at vying for mayor.
“He’s up against a formidable current mayor but he would know that of course.
“I don’t aspire to (be a mayor), I love what I’m doing, I love being in the role of a councillor.
“I think I have more freedom to go out and do more things.
“The mayor, while he’s out and about, he’s still desk bound a lot of the time.”
Fran Mann
“I’m still making up my mind (whether to run as councillor) but most likely, yes,” Ms Mann said, adding she would run as an independent and not part of a team.
“It’s just been such a pleasure of being a part of shaping what happens in the community,” she said.
“As an independent, nobody can share resources, but certainly at pre-poll, we can share a space and how to vote cards.”
Ms Mann said anyone who ran for local government showed a passion for their community but she did not believe it was her strength to perform as mayor.
“I believe the mayor just does it so well, absolutely so well, as the head of the community.”
Alison Jones
Mrs Jones confirmed she would run again for a councillor’s seat but ruled out trying for the mayoral spot.
“I’m a grassroots councillor and I love being connected to community,” she said.
“I actually look at my job as being a volunteer in the community, only that I get paid to do it.
“I encourage anybody out in the community if they feel they’d like to give local government a go, then by all means put their hat in the ring.”
Russell Seymour
Mr Seymour said he will not run for the “big job” but said Mr Jackson was well known in the community and different people had “different outlooks on things”.
He said his first term as councillor had allowed him to get used to “the way things operate” and he believed he could now make a difference in his second term should he be re-elected.
Justin Englert
Mr Englert has in the past narrowly lost to former mayor Deirdre Comerford but said he had no plans to run for mayor next year.
He did however confirm he wanted to become a councillor for another term.
“I want to see the (Pioneer Valley) Mountain Bike project completed, build on creating more tourism opportunities, keep building on our emergency management defence and capability and further improve our financial stability,” he said.
The Daily Mercury also phoned Deputy Mayor Karen May, and councillors Michelle Green and Belinda Hassan, but did not hear back by the time of publication.
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