Whitsunday councillor Al Grundy is new CEO of Mackay Isaac Tourism

A Whitsunday councillor has beaten candidates across the country to take the reins of a multimillion dollar organisation, triggering another by-election.

Whitsunday region residents will once again head to the ballot box, less than one month after they voted in former One Nation candidate Julie Hall as their new mayor.

It comes as a Whitsunday region councillor is announced as the new chief executive officer of Mackay Isaac Tourism.

Al Grundy will officially step into the role at the helm of the multimillion dollar organisation responsible for marketing the tourism offerings of the wider Mackay Isaac region to the world on October 17.

Cr Grundy, who served as the Division 2 councillor for two-and-a-half years out of his four year term, has indicated his intent to resign from council effective October 14, triggering a by-election to fill the vacancy.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said while no technicalities forced Cr Grundy’s resignation, “it would be very hard to have a job like that and still be an effective elected member”.

Whitsunday Mayor Julie Hall said on behalf of council she thanked Cr Grundy for his service.

“(He) is a very active member in the community and has represented council on a range of committees, with the environment, waste management and tourism at the centre of his approach,” Cr Hall said.

“We wish him well for his future outside of Council.”

Cr Grundy – who has almost 30 years of experience as a tourism operator and owner which includes chairing Tourism Whitsundays through the turbulence of Cyclone Debbie – said he was excited to lead the region and the Mackay Isaac Tourism team.

Whitsunday Regional Councillor Al Grundy, Mackay Tourism interim chief executive officer Tash Wheeler and former Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Willcox giving the thumbs up to a Tourism Whitsundays brand launch.

“I hope my years of experience will be an asset and I look forward to meeting the industry and working closely with them to shine a spotlight on the best of what the Mackay Isaac region has to offer to the world,” he said.

Cr Grundy’s resume also includes roles in the Mackay Isaac community including working on committees such as the Greater Whitsundays Council of Mayors Suicide Prevention Taskforce for 18 months and the Mackay Isaac Whitsundays Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership for seven years.

Al Grundy with wife Ruth Grundy.

Mackay Isaac Tourism chairman Justin Englert, who is a councillor in Mackay, said he was confident Cr Grundy’s appointment would bring “new ideas, a fresh approach and innovative concepts” to the organisation and region.

“(This is) backed by a strong tourism marketing and business background, the organisation is in good hands,” Cr Englert said.

The organisation’s board of directors spent weeks searching for their new CEO with a number of applications from across the country vying for Cr Grundy’s new job.

Mackay Isaac Tourism is responsible for developing the region’s tourism experiences, marketing and increasing the number of tourists, with tourism in the greater Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region valued at up to $1.6 billion, according to the Greater Whitsunday Alliance.

Tash Wheeler, who stepped up as temporary CEO of Mackay Isaac Tourism in May this year, will finish up shortly after Cr Grundy begins.

Cr Grundy’s first item of business will be engaging with the team, key partners, and members.

Whitsunday Regional Council CEO Rod Ferguson said the council would work closely with the Electoral Commission of Queensland to progress a by-election to fill the Division 2 vacancy.

This publication has asked Cr Grundy for comment.

Dawson MP Andrew Willcox, who was formerly WRC mayor, declined to comment.