Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday council candidates for 2024 election
With local elections only four months away, here are the candidates who will be running and how they intend to represent you.
Mackay
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Local government elections are coming in March 2024, with many well-known names and some unknown faces throwing their hats into the ring for a seat at the Mackay, Whitsundays and Isaac council tables.
In this election community leaders will justify to the public why they should keep their position and new candidates will have the opportunity to share their visions.
Any citizen can run independently, provided they are nominated by at least six electors, and candidates can run associated with a political party or team.
Here is the list of the current councillors and public officials who have confirmed they will be running again and the new candidates that have announced themselves.
Mackay Regional Council
Incumbent mayor and popular public figure Greg Williamson has confirmed he will be running for his third term as Mackay’s regional mayor.
Councillor Williamson began his political career on the Mackay City Council in the 1980s, becoming the city mayor in 1991, prior to the amalgamation of Mackay, Sarina and Mirani as Mackay Regional Council.
He re-entered the public service in 2016, attaining the mayoralty and being re-elected in 2020.
Cr is known for his work in disaster management, acting as chairman for the Local Disaster Management Group during Cyclone Debbie, the 2018 bushfires and COVID-19.
He is also known for his 2019 profile in The New York Times, which highlighted his work to preserve the Mackay region from the effects of climate change.
Challenging Cr Williams is former Canberra Raider and current Mackay real estate agent Steve Jackson.
A rugby league fanatic since the age of five, Jackson retired from the sport and has since coached a number of Mackay teams while also operating as the owner of Lenard’s Mount Pleasant and Caneland Central.
Mr Jackson intends to bring the business acumen he developed running his franchises to the position of mayor.
Mr Jackson has been promoting his approach to tackling the issues of the Mackay region through his “four Rs platform” - roads, rates, rubbish and river.
Cr Martin Bella has announced his intentions to run again for the seat of councillor.
Despite being a member of the Liberal National Party, Cr Bella will run as an independent, unaffiliated with any political party.
Cr Bella will run on a similar platform to his previous elections, advocating for financial responsibility and equal consideration for all residents of the Mackay region.
“It’s not how high our top hits, but how far we can lift our bottom.” he said.
Cr Belinda Hassan, a first term councillor, has made it clear she will be pursuing the officer of councillor once again.
Initially a member of The Williamson Alliance, Cr Hassan will be seeking re-election as an independent.
“I would like to continue (the good work) I’ve started,” she said.
During her time in council, Cr Hassan has heavily promoted the benefits of active living through her work encouraging youth engagement with sports and outdoor activities throughout the Mackay region.
To that end, she was appointed as the council’s representative on the diabetes and obesity project “Let’s Shape Up!”.
“I’m excited to continue working hard in the community. It’s what I do,” she said.
Cr Alison Jones declared her intentions to run for a fourth term in the office of councillor in 2024.
Cr Jones’s served her first term in 2004, before Mackay was amalgamated with Sarina and Mirani, and has since served on the regional council for two consecutive terms starting in 2012, totalling over 12 years of public service.
“I am very excited to announce my candidacy for the upcoming local government elections. I am a passionate Mackay local who understands the requirements of the good people of the Mackay region,” Cr Jones said.
Cr Russell Seymour, a first term councillor, joined the Mackay council in 2020 with the intention to represent rural communities and the Pioneer Valley.
He has advocated for the development of Mackay’s tourism and building industry, as well as for more money to go towards rural roads.
“I feel strongly about these issues and feel that they can be tackled better.” Seymour said.
Seymour wishes to strongly prioritise rural roads in his next term as councillor, as well as giving attention to ensuring that riverfront land is used “appropriately” and that developers follow through on their construction projects.
Russell will run as an independent in this election.
Whitsundays Regional Council
Cr Clay Bauman is seeking to return as a councillor in 2024 and looking forward to serving a full term.
Cr Bauman won his seat at a by-election in December 2022.
Raised in Brisbane, Bauman moved to Airlie Beach in 2007 and has lived in the Whitsundays since then.
He has integrated himself into the Whitsundays and Cannonvale community through his work with sporting clubs, his membership at the Whitsunday Sailing Club and his advocacy for maintaining the “beach town character” of Cannonvale.
Cr Bauman’s top priorities, if re-elected, are bringing a library to Cannonvale, as well as a civic centre, while also working with his fellow councillors to devise a new town plan.
Isaac Regional Council
Deputy Mayor Kelly Vea Vea will run for the position of mayor in the upcoming election, aiming to succeed Mayor Anne Baker.
Cr Vea Vea, if elected, will purse increased funding for local roads in the Isaac region, as well as better access to higher education.
“I encourage people to consider running,” she said.
“It’s a great opportunity to get involved and I’d love to see a lot of new candidates.”
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