Martin Bella won’t run for re-election at end of Mackay council term

A Queensland councillor “won’t be burning the house down” on his exit, but is prepared to get “kicked in the head” to expose issues in his final term.

Martin Bella, Mackay Regional Councillor and cane farmer, battling against unfair laws affecting Qld farmers in 2018. Photo : Daryl Wright.

A veteran Mackay councillor will be hanging up his boots on the second chapter of his life, but “won’t be burning the house down” on the way out.

Councillor Marty Bella enjoyed a successful career in rugby league, as a licenced physiotherapist and grazier, cane farmer, and will add ‘former’ to his councillor title once the term ends.

First elected in 2016, Mr Bella said he would use the rest of his time to “point out the issues” and fight for “the facts” even if it meant he would be “kicked in the head”, he told the Daily Mercury.

In his decision to call it a day Mr Bella made reference to his age, saying “you don’t get old without things breaking down”.

“You’ve only got so much in you and then you just run out. The writing on the wall is there, it’s time.”

Harry Bruce cartoon on Marty Bella in his earlier years on Mackay council.

Mr Bella acknowledged he had not been attending his council obligations in recent weeks, but said that was for “personal issues” he needed to get sorted.

This masthead asked him why he wouldn’t step down immediately if he doesn’t have the same energy, and how would the people who voted for him have confidence he’s still up to the job.

“Anyone that knows me knows I don’t do things half hearted. I could have easily tucked my head and cruised along,” he said.

Cr Martin Bella spoke against the removal of fluoride from Mackay's water, but could not convince the majority of his councillors.

He added “there are other things that need to come up”, foreshadowing new grenades being lobbed before his exit.

Mr Bella was also quizzed on his council entitlements, as he claimed $16,000 from ratepayers in the 2023/2024 financial year on top of his $113,000 salary.

That placed him third on councillor expenses for the year behind mayor Greg Williamson and deputy mayor Karen May, though some of his fellow councillors were only in office for months of the one-year period.

In previous years, Mr Bella’s expenses were on par with other councillors.

Martin Bella, on his property about 70km south of Mackay, QLD in 2017. Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

“My expenses are almost wholly due to the kilometres I travel. If my expenses are higher than the others, I’m just travelling more kilometres,” Mr Bella said.

“All of my expenses are based on my activities in the region. I’m not off on junkets, trips and tours. I don’t take free tickets.”

Mr Bella said he closed a practice which was netting him three times his councillor salary when he was first elected.

As for what he’ll remember about his time as councillor?

“I’ve worked to implement things that I believe make things better,” Mr Bella said, pointing to the introduction of drug and alcohol testing for councillors, livestreaming meetings, and objective analysis for project priority.

“Appealing to a councillor should not get you to push into a line,” he said.

“There are people who always miss out”.

May 31, 1988, State of Origin game two at Lang Park. Queensland's Martin Bella heads for halftime treatment to a cut eyebrow. The Maroons would win 16-6. Picture: Jim Fenwick/Courier Mail

Always a stickler for rules and process, Mr Bella has staked out unpopular positions, including in the current term.

When Precious the cat was due to be booted from the Koumala Hotel, her home of 14 years, as others looked for loopholes Mr Bella unapologetically warned of the risk of animals in kitchens.

“The law is the law,” Mr Bella said.

“Justice has got to be blind, you can’t apply the rules to some and not others, that’s the essence of corruption isn’t it?”

Precious’ fight was picked up by the then-Labor government and an exemption secured.

As for whether there was anything unique to this term of council which affected his decision, Mr Bella said he believes there is an “intolerance of people who are different”.

He pointed to conversations about banning books in council, or whether it was appropriate for council to run certain events as examples, but did not elaborate further.

Mr Bella revealed he would not be standing again during an interview railing against reintroducing council divisions for Mackay.

“I truly believe it’s a backwards move,” he said.