Disgruntled Mackay councillors slam skatepark mural post

The fallout from the controversial decision to paint over a skatepark mural for a teen killed in a crash continues. Read why it continues to expose fractures in council chambers.

Three disgruntled councillors have publicly slammed the Mackay Mayor over a social media post they labelled a disrespectful “political stunt”, further deepening a rift over a skatepark mural.

The fallout harks back to a Mackay Regional Council meeting in late July when eight councillors rejected repealing a council motion, sealing a move to paint over an unfinished mural at Eimeo’s Camilleri St park.

The artwork was not strictly a memorial piece but it was initiated in response to the death of Eimeo teenager William Baker when his motorbike crashed into a courtesy bus in May.

The mural destruction drew the ire of Mayor Greg Williamson who took to Facebook to criticise the councillors’ decision, a move he has since publicly apologised for after his post allegedly spurred members of the public to send death threats to some councillors.

Now almost a month later, Cr Fran Mann, Cr Laurence Bonaventura and Cr Alison Jones say they feel “compelled” to divulge their version of events.

Three councillors have taken aim at a post on Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson’s Facebook page.

Cr Mann led the charge, posting to Facebook about 2am on Tuesday.

“How would you feel if you received threats of physical harm (from the public), your colleagues subjected to the same or had people you thought were friends turn against you just because you were doing your job?” Cr Mann posted.

“Do you think it would be worth it?

“I’ve been wondering that of late and now feel compelled to speak out against the vile, baseless bullying which targeted good men and women who are just trying to do their job.”

Cartoonist Harry Bruce depicted the fractured Mackay council after Marty Bella and Fran Mann aligned to propose random drug and alcohol tests for the mayor and councillors.

Cr Bonaventura and Cr Jones have since replicated Cr Mann’s post saying their decision had adhered to council policy on memorial, monument and plaque requests which states an individual being celebrated must be of “local or regional significance”.

“The Mayor’s post slammed a democratic decision and was nothing short of a political stunt supported by (Cr Michelle Green and Cr Karen May) and the (Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm),” she posted.

The controversial Camilleri Street Skate Park mural has now been painted over. Picture: Tara Miko

“Their disrespectful dialogue came at a time when some people in our community were already in a heightened emotional state.”

“In my opinion, posts and comments by these community leaders and some members of the public crossed the line of rational and respectful discourse, and descended into repeated threats against eight councillors.”

Cr Mann thanked those who had respectfully sought the truth and shown love in a time of need and asked those who wanted “to know the facts” to contact her.

She said those choosing to remain anonymous were ignorant and should not “bother to engage”.

Cr Mann further hit out at Cr Williamson taking eight days to delete his Facebook post, saying comments on the post caused “personal and reputational damage” to her and fellow colleagues.

“This type of behaviour should never be condoned, particularly from so-called community leaders,” she said.

“After removal of the offending posts, I did mistakenly think the angst and anger towards councillors had settled, but a recent community meeting showed this was not the case.”

Cr Mann’s reproval of the mayoral Facebook page follows Cr Martin Bella questioning its value to Mackay region ratepayers.

MRC acting CEO Angela Hays, during the ordinary meeting of council on August 10, said the page cost about $30,000 each year as part of a contract with a social media specialist.

“Are we seeing that as value for money?” Cr Bella replied, citing that 30-odd posts over the past few months had cost ratepayers close to $8000.

Cr Williamson declined to comment.

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