Martin Bella backs mystery man for Mackay mayoral race

Outspoken NRL star turned Mackay councillor Marty Bella is among the high-profile names dropping hints about the region’s mystery mayoral candidate with an announcement believed to be imminent.

Former NRL great and current Mackay Regional Council councillor Martin Bella. Photo : Daryl Wright.

Anticipation is building over who will become the third contestant for Mackay’s mayoral race.

It comes after two councillors hinted the mystery male would give the current mayor, Greg Williamson a run for his money.

Incumbent Mackay Regional Council councillors Fran Mann and Martin Bella both posted to Facebook that they knew the candidate’s identity but would keep it closely guarded until he was ready to go public.

“Just had an interesting and very welcome conversation about a possible 3rd mayoral candidate for the 2024 local government election,” Ms Frann posted.

“I know this person well and he is truly independent and self funded and in my opinion, will bring a truly different and exciting dynamic.

“If you care about where you live, let’s share this (Facebook) post.”

Ms Frann commented “hopefully all will be revealed soon”.

Councillor Fran Mann (left) and Councillor Martin Bella are both backing a mystery candidate to run for mayor of Mackay Regional Council in 2024. Picture: Duncan Evans

Mr Bella said he agreed with his colleague the candidate “could be the best thing to happen in a long time”.

“The other options are hardly attractive,” he commented on her Facebook post.

“(I’m) itching for when they announce.

“Best part is that this person does not have the burning desire to fill the lens of every camera they can.”

Current mayor of Mackay Regional Council, Greg Williamson. Picture: Heidi Petith

Mr Bella posted the candidate was a “sensible” option but it was not his “place to name someone before they themselves announce”.

“It is my place to relieve the concerns of people who may see both of the current options akin to a rock and a hard place.”

Mr Bella told this publication he had no regard for Mr Williamson nor Steve Jackson, the second person hoping to be named mayor in March next year.

Mackay mayoral candidate Steve Jackson at the Steve Jackson Gala Day at Abbott Park on September 15, 2023. Photo: Toby Crockford.

Mr Jackson is an agent with Vision Real Estate, owns Lenards’ franchises at Mount Pleasant and Caneland Central shopping centres, and formerly played for NRL’s Canberra Raiders.

He announced his candidacy in July and is campaigning via billboards across Mackay and on social media using the party tag: ‘Jacko’s Team – Mackay First’, propped up by Jeff Keioske who ran for state government under the One Nation banner in 2017.

Mr Keioske, a well-known builder, also ran for council in 2020 and was a self-described “conservative” and “pro-jobs” option.

So far, the reactions to the mysterious third candidate have been mixed with Gia Bryant commenting that it sounded “interesting” and she hoped it would come to “fruition”.

Iain Masters asked “how would this relate to our little project up the (Pioneer) Valley?” to which Ms Frann replied, “I think it would relate very well”.

Maria Pickworth commented Mackay needed more independent councillors “instead of a team”.

And Marion Brown labelled Mr Bella’s support for the candidate as sounding like “sour grapes … just sayin [sic].”

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