Greg Williamson returning as mayor, Steve Jackson returning to chicken shop
After a neck and neck competition between Williamson and Jacko, incumbent mayor Greg Williamson has reclaimed the mayorship while Jacko returns to his chicken shop. DETAILS
Mackay
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Greg Williamson will be the mayor of the Mackay region for a third consecutive term, as the Electoral Commission of Queensland has formally declared his victory.
Mr Williamson had for the most part narrowly stayed ahead of Steve ‘Jacko’ Jackson ever since counting of votes began at 6pm on March 16.
The almost neck and neck divide had forced the ECQ to count postal votes and distribute preferences to determine a winner.
An ECQ update at 6.34pm Wednesday, 11 days after election day, revealed Mr Williamson had secured 51.56 per cent of the preferences or 32,701 votes compared to Jacko’s 30,722.
This means Mr Williamson will be the mayor of Mackay Regional Council for four more years.
His opponent, former NRL great and Lenard’s franchisee Steve ‘Jacko’ Jackson, will be returning to his chicken shop following the defeat.
“Look it was disappointing, can’t say it wasn’t,” Jacko said.
“But I’ve always said if I didn’t get the job my life won’t change.”
Jacko said he was ready to sign a new lease at his Lenard’s in Canelands and is even looking into refurbishing the store front.
Mr Jackson had expected that his inexperience relative to his competitors was going to be a challenge.
“People told me to run for council first and get the ins and outs,” he said.
“But the team approached me to lead them.”
Jacko, ever the team player, praised his the Mackay First teams effort and the four candidates who were currently in the top 10.
“I wish them all the best,” he said.
“I know they’re going to pursue what’s best for the people of Mackay.”
But in Jacko’s own words, “the public has spoken” and he has wished Mr Williamson luck with his third term.
However Jacko may become a familiar face in chambers, as he intends to attend meetings in order to gain “a bit more knowledge”.
“I think I’ve got a taste for it,” Jacko said.
“Anything I’ve ever liked, I’ve got good at.”
In the meantime, Jacko is looking forward to taking a break with his partner and driving to Airlie Beach for a more relaxed Easter break.
“At the end of the day... If I didn’t step into this, I’d never have known or appreciated how much work the people of the community do,” he said.
Joining him at the council table will be a few familiar faces with four incumbent councillors returning to the fold including Martin Bella, Alison Jones, Belinda Hassan and former deputy mayor Karen May.
The remaining councillors mostly come from Jacko’s Mackay First party including former Dawson MP George Christensen, Namarca Corowa, and Heath Paton.
Filling out the ranks is independent candidate Peter Sheedy and the youngest person to run for council this election, Team Williamson member Ash-Lee Johnson.
Fellow Team Williamson member Michelle Green will not be returning as a councillor after she received just 59 fewer votes than Mrs May who came in at 10th position.
Also letting go of their councillor positions are Pauline Townsend, Fran Mann and Justin Englert.
The ECQ, in distributing the preferences for the mayoral vote, had counted more than 7300 ballots nominating former councillor Laurence Bonaventura as first choice for mayor.
Of those ballots, 3354 put Jacko as second preference compared to 3064 for Mr Williamson.
But Mr Williamson outperformed Jacko when it came to first choice at the ballot box, receiving 29,637 first preferences compared to Jacko’s 27,368.
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