Meet all the candidates for the 2024 Mackay council elections
To help make your democratic decision simpler, we’ve compiled all the Mackay candidates here, along with their pitches for why they should win your vote.
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There are three candidates vying to win the title of Mackay Regional Council Mayor come the Saturday, March 16 election, and 29 in the running for councillor positions.
Get to know more about each candidate, in categorical and then alphabetical order, before you cast your vote with our comprehensive list below.
Scroll down for the full list.
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
Greg Williamson
Incumbent mayor Greg Williamson wants to be re-elected for a third consecutive term to see through developments like the Finch Hatton Mountain Bike Trails, Northern Beaches Community Hub, the riverfront revamp, and regional-focused projects like walkways and shared pathways.
But unlike his opponent Laurence Bonaventura who is proposing a frugal approach to spending over the next term, Mr Williamson said his team’s focus was to attract big business, drive growth and build the base of rateable properties through continuing strategies like the Facilitating Development Policy.
“When we joined council, and we took the over the council that Laurence Bonaventura was in, the debt was $170m,” he said.
“The debt at the end of this (financial) year will be $40m.
“That enables us to be in the box seat to start the investment and to put the council’s money into the things that will make this area liveable and attractive.”
Mr Williamson said debt was “not a bad thing” in that it spread infrastructure costs across current and future ratepayers.
He said Team Williamson members shared a “holistic vision” they could collectively deliver on while asserting there had “never been a time that anybody had been strong armed by me” into toeing the party line on voting.
“Can you imagine state or federal parliaments made up entirely of independents?” he said.
“Teams work in every successful organisation.”
If re-elected, the fifth-generation Mackay local will serve his fourth term in council, having started as a Mackay City councillor in 1988 before becoming mayor in 1991.
He then lost the 1994 mayoral election after winning the “three year battle” to amalgamate the Pioneer Shire and Mackay City councils into Mackay Regional Council.
He spent the next 23 years in business – including running an interstate recruitment agency, serving as the inaugural general manager of an aviation and aerospace staffing company, and 10 years in the METS sector – before returning to council as mayor in 2016.
Presently, he is the chairman of the Local Disaster Management Group, a board member of RACQ CQ Rescue, and has given more than 35 years to the Australian Air Force Cadets.
Mr Williamson said he had also served on various organisations including the Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Association and Mackay Tourism, which gave him a “solid background” in understanding community service.
Laurence Bonaventura
A three term councillor and the last to enter the mayoral race, Laurence Bonaventura contrasts with Mr Williamson’s focus on growth and Steve Jackson’s promises of change via his call to return to basics.
“My background is similar to a lot of residents in the region,” the Habana local said.
Mr Bonaventura, who started his career as a farmer and earthmover, entered the mayoral contest because he “could not stand back” any longer.
“If our elections become team dominated, independents like Russell Seymour will struggle,” he said.
Councillor candidates Martin Bella, Pauline Townsend, Fran Mann and Russell Seymour have all thrown their support behind Mr Bonaventura who is running an independent campaign on a platform of fiscal responsibility.
If elected, he wants to progress current developments but has cautioned “we cannot continue on this path” of infrastructure spending.
First elected to council in 2012, Mr Bonaventura held the Waste, Health and Regulatory Services portfolio and wants to ensure areas like the Northern Beaches can service growing populations.
Mr Bonaventura supported a recent motion to reinstate portfolios which were scrapped in 2016, arguing they allowed councillors to gain expertise in specific areas and reduce overlap.
Steve Jackson
Rugby league legend Steve Jackson was first to openly challenge Mr Williamson for the top job.
Nathenea MacRae and Jeff Keioskie approached the Lenard’s franchisee to run for mayor and lead the Mackay First team.
Mr Jackson has stated he wanted to “turn council into a moneymaker” and has pledged lower rates while doubling the number of free dump vouchers and scraping their expiry dates.
But as to how he will achieve these feats, he said he first had to get his “feet under the table” to closer scrutinise council’s finances.
Mr Jackson said he also wanted to forge a strong partnership between the council and the private sector to “build our city” and transform the council into a “flourishing business”.
While launching his party at Wests Leagues Club, Mr Jackson said his team’s three-pronged vision was to “ignite pride”, “empower growth” and “bring back unity”.
Mr Jackson recalled how proud he was to be labelled as a “Mackay boy” while playing for the NRL raiders in the 90s before stating the region had since “lost its way” and character, with popular events like Macs Speedway and the Sugartime Festival now relics of the past.
He also said he struggled to think of anything the region did better than other Local Government Areas including cane farming, adding the council must better promote the “jewel in the crown” blue Pioneer River, relocate the tourism centre which at the Bluewater Lagoon was deterring grey nomads, and do something about the vacant buildings in the CBD.
Read more of what he said here.
COUNCILLOR CANDIDATES
Alison Jones – Independent
Alison Jones has lived in the region for 40 years and is looking to secure a fourth term as councillor.
“I am a passionate Mackay local who understands the requirements of the good people of the Mackay region,” Mrs Jones said.
Mrs Jones’ professional background includes working as a plant operator, stevedore, meatworks supervisor, and driving trucks at the mines.
She first served as a councillor in 2004, before losing her seat after the 2008 amalgamation.
Describing herself as the “four-on, four-off” councillor, Ms Jones was re-elected in 2012, before again losing her seat in 2016 and making her second comeback to council ranks in 2020.
Mrs Jones is proud of running an independent campaign and in her recent term, she advocated for Welcome to Country signs to recognise the Yuibera peoples’ history in the region, stating she was “frustrated” by council leaders who she alleged were “unwilling” to commit to it.
She said she would focus on financial sustainability if re-elected and stressed the need for “experienced” councillors to continue focusing on growth.
Mrs Jones has more than 32 years of volunteer experience including executive positions with not-for-profit organisations associated with the NDIS and homelessness, as well as the Indigenous, recreational fishing, and environmental sectors.
Ash-Lee Johnson – Team Williamson
Ash-Lee Johnson is a mum of two who entered the councillor race to add diversity and balance.
Mrs Johnson said she wanted to encourage the younger demographic to engage in council matters and have influence on things that affected their everyday lives.
The North Mackay State High School alumni has an accounting degree and completed studies as an Australian Certified Economic Developer.
Mrs Johnson said while she was the youngest candidate, she had experience behind her, a skill set to contribute, an attitude to learn, and determination to add value.
She has worked for the council for the past nine years with her present role making her the “first point of contact” for businesses to engage with council on local government processes.
Mrs Johnson said her involvement with the Mackay Chamber of Commerce only strengthened her passion to create an “environment where businesses can thrive” and if elected, she wanted to elevate the council’s recent Small Business Friendly Councils commitment to further cut red tape.
She said it was her belief in the power of collaboration and diverse perspectives that attracted her to join Team Williamson which was focused on being pro-growth, building the ratepayer base, and increasing the liveability of the region.
Belinda Hassan – Independent
Belinda Hassan is pursuing a second term as councillor but this time as an independent following after her 2020 run with The Williamson Alliance.
“When you’re independent you’re not answerable to anyone else,” Ms Hassan said.
During her 2020-2023 term in council, Ms Hassan promoted active lifestyles, engaged youth in sport and outdoor activities and was the council representative on the diabetes and anti-obesity project Let’s Shape Up.
Ms Hassan said she was “excited” to continue working hard for her community in 2024.
“It’s what I do,” she said.
Prior to council, Ms Hassan was a familiar face as the manager of Mackay Funerals and Sarina Funerals.
“There’s a saying my jobs taught me ‘sympathy is easy, empathy is putting yourself in their shoes’,” she said.
“Never look down on anybody, give them the same opportunities.”
Ms Hassan has served on several community organisations including Samaritan House Women’s Domestic Violence Shelter, Zonta Club of Mackay, the Domestic Violence Resource Service/Mackay Women’s Centre, Sarina Lions Club, and Rotary Club of Mackay Sunrise.
She has also volunteered with Cancer Council Queensland, Mackay Region Suicide Prevention Network and Road Accident Action Group.
Ms Hassan, if re-elected, would like to focus on continuing the work of her first term such as the Northern Beaches Community Hub development and the Finch Hatton Mountain Bike Precinct.
Fran Mann – Independent
First elected to council in 2016, Fran Mann is running for her third consecutive term as councillor.
“I get a lot of satisfaction from being a councillor,” Ms Mann said.
“I want to make Mackay better for young people who slip through the cracks.”
Ms Mann said she developed a “passion for local government” after joining the council’s finance program in 2006.
In her spare time, she volunteers for the Youth Information Referral Service and Special Olympics Mackay and donates food to Chances Op Shop.
Running independently, Ms Mann said if re-elected she would prioritise making Mackay “financially sustainable”.
“No wild promises,” she said.
“Right now we should get back to basics.
“We (were) a council that (was) sustainable and we need to make sure that continues.”
George Christensen – Mackay First
Former Dawson MP George Christensen has returned to his old stomping grounds of Mackay, re-contesting local politics.
Mr Christensen became a councillor with Mackay City Council in 2004 and was re-elected in 2008 before stepping away in 2010 to join federal parliament with the LNP.
He held the seat for 12 years before announcing he was quitting politics to spend more time with his young family only to run for the senate with Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party the same year.
While he was unsuccessful in that endeavour, he remains a One Nation member.
While in federal parliament, Mr Christensen promoted his political beliefs including climate change denial, Islamophobia, his opposition to abortion rights, and criticism against lockdowns and mandated vaccines during Covid-19 pandemic.
Over the past two years, he has worked for ultraconservative advocacy group Citizen GO, contributing to protests against Disneyland’s gay pride events.
He also protested against a United Nations ban on church-run gay conversion therapies, stating “this could limit the freedom of priests to help homosexuals seeking assistance”.
Mr Christensen is running in the Mackay First party alongside his father Ian Christensen.
He has praised ‘Jacko’s’ rugby and business acumen while asserting he is “no-one’s lackey”.
Greg Fisher – Independent
Greg Fisher says he has a “sound knowledge” of council operations as he tries for the third time to become a councillor.
Having previously run with Justin Englert’s Your Solutions team as well as The Williamson Alliance, Mr Fisher has elected to run as an independent in 2024.
“The agreements I had with the previous alliances was that once you’re elected the alliance ended but apparently that’s not how it worked,” he said.
Mr Fisher began working at 14 and later built his machinery dealership “from scratch”.
He now operates a rubbish pick-up business contracting for the Isaac Regional Council.
Mr Fisher said in his spare time he volunteered with the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Home Assist Program helping pensioners and the elderly in their homes.
If elected, he wants to help pensioners and those without access to vehicles access waste removal by introducing a special pension voucher system.
“Mackay’s highly successful as a council,” Mr Fisher said, adding the region could propel any kid to success if they “appl(ied) themselves”.
He also had high aspirations to attract military equipment manufacturers to Paget.
“We can do anything here, we’ve got the infrastructure,” Mr Fisher said.
Heath Paton – Mackay First
Father of two and popular hairdresser Heath Paton wants to help choose Mackay’s “direction”.
Mr Paton has owned his own barber store at Caneland Central for 12 years and says his career enables “self-expression” with the shop becoming a sanctuary for the community, particularly men.
“I speak at high schools occasionally, coach soccer at the Magpies (Sporting) Club and do a lot of outreach work to promote men’s mental health,” Mr Paton said.
“Haircutting is a by-product, the community I’ve made is priority one.”
Mr Paton describes himself as a creative person who has a lot in his “arsenal” to offer as a councillor, having decided to join Mackay First after being given the “hard sell”.
“In some ways, I see Mackay as a blank slate, a clear canvas that we can build and improve,” he said.
“I want to focus on building a stronger community presence and hear from the community.
“Mackay is our own little utopia in the making.”
Ian Christensen – Mackay First
Ian Christensen has thrice thrown his hat into the ring to become a Mackay region councillor.
Running in 2016 with Justin Englert’s crew and then in 2020 with Jeff Keioskie, Mr Christensen has found a new team and leader in Jacko’s Team Mackay First.
The small business owner said he was proud of his Mackay roots, stating he was connected to an early pioneer via his maternal great-grandmother’s side.
He was worn many hats over his career including taxi driver, soil tester, drill rig supervisor and machinist engineer, which he said had brought him a wealth of knowledge and experience.
“I’m running for council because I am passionate about giving back to the place that has shaped me,” Mr Christensen said, adding he wanted to revitalise community spirit including bringing back the Sugar Time Festival.
He said he generally saw “eye-to-eye” with his politician son but did not specify on what issues they differed on.
Mr Christensen has volunteered with the Parents Against Ice Group and supports the RSL.
Ian Rowan – Independent
Ian Rowan, a familiar face to many as the former CEO of RACQ CQ Rescue, is looking to bank on his international and national experience to help push Mackay to the next level.
He moved to Australia from the UK, having flown Phantom F-4 aircraft with the British Royal Air Force during the Cold War with nuclear bombs at the ready to drop on Germany within 15 minutes should the need arise.
Down under, he worked for the Melbourne City Council from 2002 to 2007 managing the permits, street trading, and event co-ordination teams.
Mr Rowan said there were 600 kerbside cafes and street trading entities under his portfolio and the events team oversaw major events including the F1 Grand Prix, The Australian Open and the Melbourne Cup.
He has also worked across the ditch in New Zealand as a marketing manager where he helped five cities go through amalgamation and then back in Queensland, he founded the Safe Streets charity with full support from the Queensland Police Service before becoming CEO at Mackay’s RACQ CQ Rescue for five years.
Mr Rowan is restless when bored and so in his retirement, he became involved with Shed Happens, International Men’s Day and the RSL.
“But it just wasn’t enough,” he said, adding he was enthusiastic to seize the opportunity to run for council in 2024.
He explained he was running as an independent as he did not believe in team or bloc voting.
Mr Rowan said while councillor candidates could have specific projects in mind heading into the election, he found it important to assess which would benefit the region as a whole and fit within the budget.
He said he would like to tackle the congestion on Mackay-Bucasia Rd together with the state government, and would be “very supportive” of any initiatives or policies to improve the sustainability of businesses operating in the region.
“If I’m fortunate enough to be elected, I will give my heart and soul to the position and really work hard at it because I’m used to doing that,” Mr Rowan said.
Jeff Keioskie – Mackay First
“Dedicated family man” and building inspector Jeff Keioskie is running for council to “advocate” for the people of Mackay.
A self-professed libertarian, Mr Keioskie said he wanted to encourage growth and support businesses.
He has won several Housing Industry Building awards throughout his time as a contractor, carpenter and site project manager and if elected, he said he wants to advocate for fiscal responsibility as part of Jacko’s team.
Mr Keioskie said he had an “unwavering” commitment to the region with his volunteer record including serving as the SES welfare manager for his church.
Joshua Thornton – Team Williamson
Relative newcomer to Mackay Joshua Thornton said family was the overriding reason he was running for council with Team Williamson.
“My wife was raised in Mackay and we moved here three years ago because of the lifestyle,” Mr Thornton said.
“I want to make sure Mackay remains an excellent place to raise a family.”
Mr Thornton is an organiser for the Australian Manufacturers Workers Union and has a dual degree in law and politics.
He said he believed working as part of a team around “shared ideas and values” was a “good way to go” and if elected, he wanted to focus on building new indoor sporting facilities.
“The South Mackay sporting precinct is a bit of a madhouse when there’s a festival on,” he said.
“Having multiple in the region would make a lot of sense.”
He praised the West Tigers’ plans to build an indoor basketball court and said he would like to promote more such developments.
Justin Englert – Independent
Justin Englert said he was running for a second consecutive term as councillor because he had “unfinished business” including his passion project, the Finch Hatton Trails.
Mr Englert said the trails were the “catalyst” for revamping the region’s tourism and spurring new businesses, citing a Sydney-based investor who was now building a fishing resort in the Pioneer Valley.
He said while your first term as councillor was typically spent doing the previous council’s work, it was in your second term you could really action your own ideas.
Mr Englert said he had grown to love the economic development space and was motivated to further increase growth and the ratepayers base to drive down rates instead of reducing services.
“When I first came in, in 2016, we had the highest rates in Queensland,” he said.
“Now we have the 7th highest.”
Mr Englert explained he chose the harder path of running independently this time around as the team approach was “not for me anymore”.
“I ran with a team in 2016 and we put out this pamphlet about what was wrong with the place,” he said.
“I got into council and seriously, I spent the next 12 months going round to officers apologising for all the things we got wrong.”
After eating that humble pie, Mr Englert said he believed he had “gotten pretty good” at wearing the councillor boots and it would be a shame to “start all over again” in 2024 with a swath of inexperienced councillors.
The father’s professional background includes completing apprenticeships as a spray painter blaster, avionics fitter with the Air Force, and as a domestic commercial electrician.
He also helped his parents run their East Mackay Foodworks store where he developed an interest in the hurdles businesses faced from council.
But Mr Englert said it was becoming the SES local controller in 2008, just weeks before the infamous 600mm in six hours flash flooding event, that really gave him insight into council’s operations.
Alongside the SES, he has also volunteered with the Mackay Community Visitors Association, Mackay Mens Shed, Alpharho ESA Mackay, and was technically a “lighthouse keeper” as a Pine Island Lighthouse Preservation Society member.
Mr Englert said he was now learning to spin the propeller of Mackay’s Tiger Moth plane to help launch weekend joy flights.
Karen May – Team Williamson
Karen May holds more than 16 years of experience as a councillor in the Mackay region and is hoping to make it 20.
“I’m very passionate about helping and listening to our community,” the incumbent deputy mayor said.
“I’m looking forward to advocating on behalf of businesses and tourism for our region.”
Mrs May was formerly the mayor of Sarina Shire pre-amalgamation with Mackay City Council, and has professional experience as a bookkeeper.
She is a staunch ally of incumbent mayor Greg Williamson and said she was proud of what his tenure had been able to achieve.
“No single councillor can make a decision on their own,” she said.
Mrs May helped to develop the Sarina Sugar Shed and Field of Dreams Parklands and if re-elected, wants to prioritise continuing growth.
“We need to make sure we are open to business and competitive throughout regional Queensland.”
Her volunteer work includes serving as chairwoman of the Mackay Women’s Service and Bendigo Community Bank Sarina.
Keith Hicks – Mackay First
A newcomer to the Mackay region — and potential new face in council chambers — is 49-year-old Keith Hicks.
Originally from Victoria, Mr Hicks joined the Australian Defence Force at 16 and has since worked as a tradesman, owned a sheet metal business and was a franchisee of a Brisbane Pizza Capers.
“I won’t ask somebody to a job I won’t do myself,” he said.
“I want to serve the community.”
Mr Hicks moved to Mackay in 2022 and said he wants to become involved in the community.
“I just want to make the world a better place and we have to start that at a local level,” he said.
Kimberley Doyle – Independent
Kimberly Doyle is known for her selfless contributions to the Mackay region, winning the Lori Burgess Community Volunteer of the Year award at the 2024 Australian Day Awards.
Ms Doyle, who is the chairman of Special Olympics Queensland and Mackay, said she decided to run for council after a councillor suggested building dongas to house the homeless.
“Among other things, I said segregation never works,” Ms Doyle said.
“We can’t just put a bandaid on stuff and I thought the only way to make change is to be the change.”
Ms Doyle described herself as a “very black and white” what-you-see-is-what-you-get person who can quickly come up with logical fixes to issues.
She said she chose to run independently to prevent being “strong armed” or “influenced” on voting with others describing her as having a strong voice, integrity, and confidence.
Her professional and community background includes more than 30 years across the finance and disability sectors, including working at the Commonwealth Bank in Mackay and volunteering for Special Olympics.
Ms Doyle also ran her own part-time finance broking service but admits her advice sometimes “didn’t generate money” as she wanted the best for her clients.
It was the arrival of her eldest son Frank in 1997, who was born with Down syndrome, that sparked Ms Doyle’s passion for helping those living with disabilities.
“Having Frank was the momentum to make me the person I am today, to have the desire to change the world,” she said.
If elected, Ms Doyle hopes to use her team and relationship-building skills as well as financial acumen to tackle social accommodation, accessibility, employment, and more education on safety.
She said three men recently “jumped” her son while he was walking home from school, and there were safety concerns for Special Olympics’ athletes who wished to live independently.
Ms Doyle said while she knew these issues overlapped with the state government, as councillors they could “challenge the status quo” and fight for change.
Kylee Stanton – Mackay First
A former federal candidate for the One Nation party, Kylee Stanton is running as part of Jacko’s team.
Mrs Stanton said the current council was “struggling to serve the community’s basic needs”.
The small business owner said, “I can sit back and complain, or I can stand up and try to do something about it.”
Ms Stanton said she was impressed by the Mackay First Team, but “most of all I was impressed by Jacko”.
“What you see is what you get,” she said.
If elected, Ms Stanton would like to “audit” and “investigate” the previous council’s spending.
The Devereux Creek native and her husband volunteer with the Rural Fire Brigade.
Les Scott – Independent
Les Scott is a proud “born and bred” Mackay region boy who grew up on a sugar cane farm at Septimus in the Pioneer Valley.
He says that is where he developed his work ethic as he recalled tackling guinea grass and picking up endless rocks.
Mr Scott attended Mirani State High School and then completed his apprenticeship as a fitter and turner at North Eton Sugar Mill before going over the hill to work in mining.
He has recently returned to Mackay to live in the family’s Blacks Beach “castle” where the whiting and flathead beckon to be caught, after spending more than 30 years in Moranbah.
During his time out west, he spent two years as a councillor at Belyando Shire Council before its amalgamation into Isaac Regional Council.
Mr Scott was involved with upgrading Moranbah Town Square and the scrutiny of mines encroaching into townships and how to manage coal dust and air quality.
Together with his 21 years working at Peak Downs coal mine, he was inspired to import two specialised machines from California to start his own business, Breathe Easy Air Filter Service.
“I was happy to say I done that for 17 years,” Mr Scott said, adding his experience as a managing director gave him skills that were useful as a councillor.
He has now sold Breathe Easy and was running as an independent in the election to gauge the community’s feelings and not be “swayed by any team leader and have to listen or adhere to their team vision”.
Mr Scott said he would like to examine the council’s 5-10 year agenda and investigate building a waste transfer station in the Northern Beaches.
Some may recognise the father of two as Merv the Miner, a “ratbag running around with a miner’s lamp on”, cheering on the Moranbah Miners at grand finals.
Mr Scott’s other community endeavours included launching the popular Friday competitions at Moranbah Golf Club, sponsoring the “kick to win” $1000 prize at Moranbah football home games, and escorting the beloved Harold the Giraffe to primary schools as the designated truck driver.
Lindsay Temple – Mackay First
Lindsay Temple is the former chairman of Bob Katter’s Australian Party in the seat of Dawson and has his sights set on the council for his return to politics.
“This isn’t about me,” Mr Temple said.
“It’s about getting it right for our kids and grandkids.”
Unsuccessful in runs for both state and federal seats, Mr Temple has voiced his dissatisfaction with the council’s planning and infrastructure management “never being right”, stating industrial development should never have been focused in Paget.
“It should have been spread out over multiple areas connected by the ring roads,” he said.
A big believer in teams, whether football teams or companies, Mr Temple wants to “bring unity and pride back to Mackay.”
“Steve is just the bloke to do all that,” he said.
During his tenure with the KAP, Mr Temple was involved in a decision to disendorse Mr Englert as a potential party candidate because of his support for the same-sex marriage plebiscite.
“What they (homosexuals) do in their own home and in their own backyard is their business,” he said in regards to that moment.
Mr Temple said he resigned from the KAP because of “personal issues” and dissatisfaction with the party’s direction.
If elected, he wants to focus on supporting the homeless and road safety.
Martin Bella – Independent
Arguably the most outspoken candidate behind Mr Christensen, State of Origin great Martin Bella is once again running for council.
First elected in 2016, Mr Bella has served two terms as councillor and is known for advocating for rural residents and issues.
Mr Bella is running as an independent despite throwing his support behind Laurence Bonaventura for mayor.
Mr Bella stated the region was “at a crossroads” and he was concerned that under the wrong leadership progress may “go backwards”.
“A couple of years ago, our economy changed regionally, nationally and internationally,” he said.
“We need to adapt with that … we’ve got too many jobs and not enough people … I believe I bring rationality and the ability to voice it.”
Running his own farm and a physiotherapy practice in Sarina, Mr Bella has also worked with veterans groups and helped fight the November 2018 bushfires.
Mr Bella is running on a similar platform to previous elections, advocating for financial responsibility and equal consideration for all Mackay region residents.
“It’s not how high our top hits, but how far we can lift our bottom,” he said.
Melissa Fowler – Mackay First
Mel Fowler is the owner behind three of Mackay’s Stellarossa cafes and wants to drive positive change for the region.
“We need to bring back pride,” Ms Fowler said.
Born and raised in the region, she said her four sons and two grandsons have inspired her to desire to want to improve affordability for families.
She said she decided to run in Jackos’ team after he approached her in 2023.
“I’ve known Jacko now for around 20 years through sport and business,” Ms Fowler said.
“I decided I wanted to support him.”
Michelle Green – Team Williamson
Previously a councillor on the Muswellbrook Shire Council in the Upper Hunter Region of NSW, Michelle Green is running for her second term on council as part of Team Greg Williamson.
Ms Green said she wanted to make residents “feel heard” and brought her own perspective to council as a young mother.
“Through the personal experience of feeling that my voice was unique on council, my advocacy for leadership diversity has grown,” she said, adding the intergenerational depth of Team Greg Williamson blew her away.
“We’re offering something unique, fresh and deep.”
Born in Mackay and raised in Dysart and Bucasia, Ms Green went on to work in coal mining pit operations, winning the Queensland Women in Mining Award in the late 2000s.
She moved to NSW in 2016 and was “tapped on the shoulder” to run for council. She has been a councillor ever since.
Ms Green said she could not choose just one focus as her platform as she loved to be “across lots of things”.
“The Mackay region is on the precipice of being a fantastically prosperous region in our own rights,” she said.
“We’ve got the people, we’ve got the resources and we’ve got the mindset to lead from the front.”
Namarca Corowa – Mackay First
Educating the community on the region’s troubled past is Team Jacko Mackay First candidate Namarca Corowa.
The descendant of a ‘blackbirded’ family and with Indigenous ancestry on his father’s side, Mr Corowa was born and raised in Mackay and is passionate about working with the community.
“The two biggest issues we have in Mackay are domestic and family violence and youth crime,” he said.
Mr Corowa is the director of Reconcile Life, an organisation that works with different levels of government to support victims of domestic violence and at-risk youths.
He said while he was proud of his hometown, he would not shy away from its history.
“John Mackay was a slave trader,” he said.
“To me that’s what Paxton Markets were, the place where South Sea Islanders were sold.
“This region, if it has an understanding of its history, can be a source of pride.
“I feel I can bring an alternative perspective that we haven’t had within our council in terms of Indigenous points of view.”
Mr Corowa said as a councillor, he wanted to tackle affordability with a desire to review and possibly reduce rates.
Nathenea MacRae – Mackay First
The person who personally recruited Steve Jackson and a two time council candidate, Nathenea MacRae said she was motivated to propel the region forward and foster pride.
Mrs MacRae is an administrator at her father’s business, Professional Inspectors, and said as a councillor she wanted to “support businesses of all sectors.”
She said she believed in Jacko’s potential to make a positive contribution to Mackay.
In her private time, Ms MacRae has volunteered with Mackay Street Chaplaincy, a religious group that “ensure(s) people stay safe while enjoying a night out”, as well as with the ADRA Op Shop and the Dancing Together initiative.
Neil Wallace – Team Williamson
Neil Wallace is running with Team Williamson with a 40-year background as a risk management insurance broker.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Mr Wallace said.
“I’m ready to step up and offer more to my community.”
If elected, he wants to help foster growth and entice the younger generations to consider staying in Mackay instead of moving to the big smoke.
“Our average (resident) age is 38,” Mr Wallace said.
“Keeping growth and progress moving within the town will invite others to join us and get us the facilities we need within the region.”
Moving to Mackay in 2007, Mr Wallace is a North Mackay Rotary Club member and Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School board member.
Pauline Townsend – Independent
After finishing her first term in council Pauline Townsend feels that she has more to give.
“The first term is spent learning how to be a councillor … I absolutely loved it,” she said.
Mrs Townsend said she gave up her business consultancy role to give her all to being a councillor in 2020, after running with the Greg Williamson Alliance.
“Council is a full time job and if you think you can keep working for four years while doing this, you won’t be able to dedicate the time you should to council,” she said.
Mrs Townsend said it was a “very easy” decision to run as an independent this time around, adding this is what the community wanted.
She currently chairs the Trudy Crowley Foundation, is involved with the Rotary Club and played a large role in providing storage lockers to Chances Cafe, which helps the most vulnerable in the community.
Mrs Townsend said she if re-elected to continue tackling Mackay’s homelessness crisis.
“We have come a long way over the last 9 – 12 months, I believe there’s more we can do,” she said.
“A resource rich city like Mackay, surely we can find some money for them.”
Peter Freeleagus – Team Williamson
Bringing council and mayoral experience to Team Williamson is Peter Freeleagus.
Moving to Mackay in the 1980s, Mr Freeleagus moved to the Isaac region to work at the mines and was later elected to the Belyando Shire council, where he served as a councillor, deputy mayor and mayor.
He said one of the most important lessons he learned as a public servant was “telling the truth” and lists his greatest regret as the death of a veteran who was flattened by a palm tree during council planting in Moranbah.
Mr Freeleagus alleged his prior concerns over safety procedures fell on deaf ears, adding he still felt partly responsible for the incident but was grateful it sparked the introduction of greater safety standards.
Having run on teams and as an independent in previous council elections, Mr Freeleagus said his connection to Greg Williamson and Karen May was his reason for joining Team Greg Williamson.
If elected, he wants to focus on developing Paget and improving the infrastructure connecting it to the Northern Beaches.
“Mackay sits on a field of dreams and it’s time to turn them into a reality,” he said.
Peter Sheedy – Independent
Fourth generation Mackay resident and great nephew of Wentford St’s namesake, Peter Sheedy is running for council as an independent.
A qualified accountant, Mr Sheedy has spent much of his career working with canegrowers both in Maryborough and in Ingham where he represented up to 800 farmers and negotiated with CSR on their behalf.
Mr Sheedy said what he saw upon returning to Mackay had motivated him to become a councillor and fix it.
“There have been some circumstances that present challenges but for goodness sake we can overcome challenges,” Mr Sheedy said.
He said he was concerned about financial projections and growing debt and wanted to prioritise fiscal responsibility if elected.
“I’m putting my hand up, I’ve got the energy the enthusiasm and the passion,” Mr Sheedy said.
“I’ve got a lot of years of experience that I think can help me along the way.”
Mr Sheedy is a member of West Mackay Rotary Club and attends monthly working bees to build transitional housing in the Seaforth area.
Russell Seymour – Independent
Mr Seymour is hoping he can become a councillor for a second consecutive term as an independent.
He has advocated for developing Mackay’s tourism and building industries plus securing more money for rural road upgrades.
“I feel strongly about these issues and feel that they can be tackled better,” Mr Seymour said.
If re-elected, he wishes to strongly prioritise rural roads and focus on ensuring riverfront land was used “appropriately” with developers following through on construction projects.
Stephen Cutting – Team Williamson
Running for council as a member of Team Greg Williamson is newcomer Stephen Cutting.
With a career working at BHP, Mackay Sugar, Wilmar and various coal mines, Mr Cutting said he believed he offered a new perspective for council and could “move things forward”.
He has worked as a project and asset manager in the engineering design space for four decades with 20 years at Aurecon and 20 years at CSR.
“Getting things done is what I do for a living,” Mr Cutting said.
If elected, Mr Cutting said he could tap into his experience to foster innovation, and he knew what it took to “have projects approved and get steel on the ground”.
He has served on the Regional Development Australia committee at both federal and state levels.
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