Ex-Mackay councillors Justin Englert, Pauline Townsend call for answers on CEO

A Mackay councillor has quit his committees following the resignation of the CEO, as former councillors demand answers.

Former councillors have called for transparency and a sitting councillor quit his committees following the resignation of Mackay region CEO Scott Owen.

Third term Mackay region councillor Martin Bella, in addition to his position on council, chaired the infrastructure strategic advisory committee, sat on the audit committee, was a part of the Local Government Association of Queensland Animal Management Taskforce and several roads and traffic committees.
Mr Bella said Mr Owen’s departure “had an influence” on his decision to step away from those roles.

“He was the true leadership in that council,” Mr Bella said, adding he thought his positions would be “untenable” with the “support that is required to make a difference”.

Martin Bella chaired the infrastructure committee with Councillor George Christensen, who resigned his role on the committee before its first meeting with the public. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

Now acting only as a general councillor Mr Bella said he’ll continue to advocate to state and federal representatives if he has the opportunity to do so.

“Ultimately, in anything you do, I believe you need to be supported to a certain extent, I just felt that was not the case,” Mr Bella said.

“There was fantastic support from staff, but I don’t believe it existed any further than that.

“There is the chance that we’ll lose high quality senior staff with the departure of the CEO.”

Acting CEO David McKendry confirmed Cr Bella has resigned from his committee positions.

“Councillor memberships of committees is voluntary,” Mr McKendry said.

“Councillors can choose how they interact with the community, which can include avenues outside committee membership.”

“Council will need to decide if it wishes to replace Cr Bella on any of these committees.”

Former councillor Justin Englert said he was devastated to see Mr Owen leave just two years into his five year contract. Picture: Michaela Harlow

Former councillor Justin Englert, who served on council when Scott Owen was appointed said he was personally devastated by the departure.

“Scott Owen was an absolute breath of fresh air to local government,” Mr Englert said.

“I expected to see him spending those years really improving the organisation.”

Mr Englert said Mr Owen joined council with “a view to absolutely destroy inefficiencies and red tape”.

George Christensen has denied any ‘improper’ or ‘off-site, unsanctioned’ council meeting took place.

He speculated the resignation was directly correlated with the meeting councillors had at councillor George Christensen’s home, calling on councillors to disclose what was said at the meeting.

“Why are some of them saying no comment? Why are some uncontactable and make no comment at all?” he said.

Mr Englert said he had a “real concern that something not right has happened”.

“Someone needs to step up and lead, if something wrong has happened they’re obligated under their oath to bring it forward.”

Justin Englert and Pauline Townsend served on the Mackay council together from 2020 until 2024 when they both lost their seats. Picture: Michaela Harlow

Pauline Townsend, also a former councillor who oversaw Mr Owen’s appointment, said she’d heard rumours about the circumstances which led to his resignation that she hoped were not true.

“I was shocked … I held him in high regard and supported his decisions,” Ms Townsend said.

“He made tough decisions and he stood by them … there’s big shoes to fill there.”

Ms Townsend called on councillors, particularly those who attended the meeting at councillor Christensen’s house, to be transparent.

“They say it was just a BBQ but we’ve all heard otherwise,” she said.

“Speak up and let the public know what was behind it all … it’s not good enough to say we had a BBQ.

“Have the balls to speak up and say what it was you got him to leave for.”

Originally published as Ex-Mackay councillors Justin Englert, Pauline Townsend call for answers on CEO