Mayor’s warning as he reveals he’s standing down from top job
After 12 years at the helm, Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson has announced he won’t be seeking re-election, while issuing a caution to residents about choosing his successor.
Sunshine Coast
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Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson has announced he will not contest the next election after 12 years at the helm of the fifth largest local government area in Queensland.
“After 12 years as mayor of the Sunshine Coast, I’m here to tell you I don’t intend to stand for election in March of next year,’’ the former newspaper executive told reporters outside the Sunshine Coast City Hall in Maroochydore on Friday.
“I’ll complete my term when the new council is elected.
“I wanted to let the people of the Sunshine Coast know in plenty of time and how much I have appreciated serving them, the privilege it has been, and the fact that I have thoroughly enjoyed working with our council team doing a lot of great things for the region.’’
Mr Jamieson cited family reasons for his decision, saying he planned to spend more time with his wife Lorrell and his family.
“I have got a family that are growing up rapidly and I need to spend more time with them,” he said.
“I think it is time for someone else to take up the challenge.”
The mayor has championed development on the Sunshine Coast and the establishment of major projects, including a new city centre, the expansion of the Sunshine Coast Airport, the Olympic Games for Queensland as well as better rail and road infrastructure.
Mr Jamieson said his greatest achievement was “developing a team” capable of making difficult and necessary decisions to enable Sunshine Coast residents to “enjoy the benefits of a whole lot of investments made by council, state and federal governments and the private sector.”
Whilst he declared there was no use in looking back on his time as mayor with frustration or disappointment, Mr Jamieson said there were still issues regarding transportation on the Sunshine Coast which heavily relies on state and federal governments.
He said he had played a key role in planning for the Olympics, with connectivity the “front and centre” of the plan.
“Those are pieces of work that still need to continue but the stage is well and truly set,” said.
“I look forward to standing on the side of the road or the beach watching those events go by with everybody else.”
Despite being a conservative, along the way he has clashed with Coast LNP MPs, particularly on issues of infrastructure.
“How long ago was the Member for Fairfax declaring fast rail for the Sunshine Coast?” Mr Jamieson said back in 2021.
“It was probably five or six years ago … and today, it’s slow rail.”
While he has maintained the council needs to find a balance between development and maintaining the unique lifestyle and environment of the Coast, he has been criticised for being too pro development.
In his own biography, Mr Jamieson said the Coast had achieved some of the highest levels of business confidence under his leadership and the creation of 23,000 jobs in high-value industries while unemployed had declined to 5 per cent.
“That 12-year term has really given me an opportunity to make a difference and set an agenda for the future that wouldn’t have been possible on a one-term basis,” he said.
Since October 2016, Mr Jamieson has represented his mayoral and councillor colleagues across the state as President of the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ).
In his role as a member of the Council of Mayors South East Queensland, Mr Jamieson advocated for a City Deal for south east Queensland and has championed the bid for Queensland to host an Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032.
He said his commitment to these two initiatives was driven by a single objective to secure the necessary and long overdue transport and digital infrastructure investment needed for the Sunshine Coast.
Prior to his election as Mayor in 2012, Mr Jamieson had 29 years in chief executive and senior leadership roles in media and publishing, including as chief executive of APN News and Media. He was also a former general manager of the Sunshine Coast Daily.
His community roles have included Director of the Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service, Member of Rotary Clubs of Hervey Bay, Toowoomba East and Rockhampton, Sunrise Patron of Sunnykids, the Beacon Foundation, The Friendship Force of the Sunshine Coast, the Sunshine Coast Sports Federation and Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club, Vice Patron of the Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club and Surf Life Saving Queensland.
Mr Jamieson vowed he would continue to ‘give everything’ in the role as mayor until the new council was elected, saying there was still much to do.
He would not be drawn on who should take over from the key Coast role, but warned residents about backing anyone aligned with a major political party.
“Keep political parties out of it,” he said.
“We want councils to remain independent.
“Anyone that thinks backing a political party is a gateway in local government is wrong.”
Councillors Peter Cox and Jason O’Pray said they had not decided whether to run for the position, with Mr O’Pray stating it was too early to make any decision particularly shortly after Mr Jamieson’s announcement.
Both councillors already received phone calls throughout the day asking if they will aim for the position.
Mr O’Pray said the Sunshine Coast had received great leadership in the past years, with the region having “never been in a better place”.
“I think Mark should be very proud of the work he has done,” Mr O’Pray said.
Mr Cox said he was gutted by Mr Jamieson’s decision.
“I certainly think the Sunshine Coast will be missing out on his invaluable expertise, his strong leadership and he’s created, in my opinion, a better Sunshine Coast for the community,” he said.
“He will be sorely missed.”
Councillors Winston Johnston and Terry Landsberg said they did not intend to run for the position.
Mr Landsberg said he wanted to congratulate the mayor in regard to his leadership as well as his time and investment into the community.
“I think he has had a lot of achievements as well as his work as president of the LGAQ,” Mr Landsberg said.
Mr Johnston said it was an understandable but disappointing decision.
“He’s worked hard, he has made a big difference to the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“He will be missed greatly.”
Councillors Rick Baberowski, Joe Natoli, Christian Dickson, Ted Hungerford, Maria Suarez and David Law have been contacted for comment.
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