Northern Beaches Councillor Candidate Forum

Last week, 22 of the 29 candidates running for the position of councillor with the Mackay Regional Council, attended a Q&A forum at the Northern Beaches Bowls Club. Hosted by the Northern Beaches Community Group, the forum aimed to introduce candidates to the public and invite each candidate to answer two questions on relevant local issues.

Below is a short summary of their introduction from every candidate who attended.

Alison Jones

Alison Jones prioritises advocacy and transparency in local governance, she emphasises returning to basics and securing financial stability for the community's future. With a focus on transparency and fiscal responsibility, Alison believes in reinstating divisions to Mackay Regional Council. She said that divisions are successful in making councillors more responsible for the area they look after and therefore providing better representation for the community.

Ash-Lee Johnson

Ash-Lee Johnson understands the community's values and aspirations intimately as she raises her own young family in the area. She is a vocal advocate for local businesses and believes strongly in empowering younger generations to become active contributors to their community, bringing a fresh perspective to enhance liveability, business opportunities, and new pathways for youth, education, and sport.

Belinda Hassan

Belinda Hassan’s passion for social welfare is evident through her nine years of service at a domestic violence shelter and her longstanding involvement with the Mackay Women's Service board for over 15 years. She actively participates in service clubs and is a strong advocate for well-being in the community. Giving back to the community is her passion.

Peter Freeleagus

With a background in underground mining in Ipswich, Peter transitioned to the mining industry in Mackay after moving to the region with his family. Peter's dedication to the community extended to local governance, He was first elected to the former Belyando Shire Council in 1997, appointed Deputy Mayor in 2000 and served as Mayor from 2003 to 2008, when the Belyando, Nebo and Broadsound shires were amalgamated to form Isaac Regional Council.

George Christensen

A fifth-generation local, George has dedicated over a decade to public service. His understanding of the needs of young families, coupled with his hands-on involvement in pivotal projects like the Mackay Ring Road, Mackay Headspace, and Mackay Northern Beaches Community Hub during his time as the Federal Member for Dawson, underscores his passion for creating a vibrant and sustainable future for the region.

Greg Fisher

Born in Proserpine, Greg Fisher has a natural curiosity and love for engaging in conversations in the early days that propelled him to observe and appreciate the progression of his town through various mayoral administrations. With a genuine passion for his community, Greg aspires to contribute positively to its growth and development through his involvement in local council affairs.

Ian Rowan

Ian Rowan was a former CEO of RACQ CQ Rescue for over five years and is involved with various community organisations, underlining his dedication to community engagement. Ian's key values of integrity, business insight, and effective communication are the foundations of his approach to addressing key issues such as rates, roads, rubbish, and public safety.

Joshua Thornton

Joshua Thornton, a relative newcomer to Mackay, brings a diverse background in law, politics, and advocacy to the table. Originally hailing from the Gold Coast, Joshua graduated from university in 2014 with a degree in law and politics. He then relocated to Mackay, where he is now advocating for initiatives aimed at making the community safer for families.

Karen May

Karen May has been a local for the past 40 years, with more than 20 of those years serving in local government. She was a councillor, deputy mayor and mayor of the former Sarina Shire Council and in her most recent role as councillor for Mackay Regional Council was also deputy mayor. Learning the ins and outs of becoming a long-term business owner with a background in management of hospitality and tourism, she advocates to see more positive changes in the Mackay region.

Kimberly Doyle

October last year, Kimberly Doyle decided she wanted better for the Mackay region. She stands firm on providing care and immediate action to every community member, declaring that every individual matters and she will be the change. Kimberley has held leadership and coaching roles in Special Olympics over the last 10 years as well as the 30-plus years in the finance and disability industry.

Kylee Stanton

In 2014, Kylee Stanton moved from Brisbane to Mackay with 4 children, where she was self-employed in a small business for the majority of her life. She emphasises not having a career in politics, but is just an ordinary citizen, wanting change for the community.

Lindsay Temple

Over the years, Lindsay Temple has been involved in programs advocating for young drivers to stay safe on the roads. Lindsay is passionate about finding more activities to keep children engaged in the community and his background experience in construction work over the years has urged his passion for fixing Mackay local roads.

Martin Bella

Martin Bella is a strong advocate for those in need, urging to combat issues regarding homelessness, disability, neurology and aged care. His down-to-earth, selfless nature provides a compassionate touch to what Martin could potentially bring to the Mackay regional community. Martin is seeking re-election.

Michelle Green

Born in the Mackay region, Michelle Green obtained a degree in exercise physiology, with a passion for active living and wellbeing in the community. Michelle has a

unique voice advocating for young families as she provides intergenerational depth and compassion for the region. She is seeking her second term as a councillor.

Neil Wallace

Neil Wallace was previously an insurance broker for 40 years, and is socially part of the Mackay North Rotary Club where he assists organisations and fundraisers in the community. He has a passion for training young people to get their learners license, getting disengaged students back into school and providing safety and activities for younger generations.

Pauline Townsend

Running for a second term as councillor, Pauline Townsend has learnt areas of recruitment, human resources and industrial relations. Working within the community in various non-for-profit charity groups such as the Trudy Crowdy Foundation, a member of Rotary, a volunteer for Shed Happens, and Special Olympics Queensland, Pauline is dedicated to providing compassion to those within the Mackay region.

Peter Sheedy

A fourth generational local, Peter Sheedy has extensive experience in accounting and is now in the grandparent stages of life. He has witnessed the crucial challenges that young families are currently facing and advocates for changes in particular to quality day-care services and safer roads, underlining that young families are our future.

Steve Cutting

Steve Cutting provides visionary care by giving back to the community through street chaplaincy, where he gained the role of president for the organisation. After forty years in professional engineering and having a heavy industrial background, he has learned that teamwork is key and he hopes he can create a team-based workplace to provide the best for the community.

Les Scott

Born and raised on a sugar cane farm up the valley, Les Scott learned a strong work ethic. He discovered his own business, providing a service that reduced landfill waste by up to 80 per cent. Over the years Les gained an interest in council and now has 2 years’ experience at the local shire council in Clermont, Moranbah and rural areas.

Justin Englert

Justin Englert has a passion for tourism and the regional economy. He is a member of the Mackay Event and Conference Attraction Program where he advocates to expand tourism opportunities in the region and is involved in the community through various services such as the SES. He believes in utilising tourism as an economic driver to forge progress in the region.

Keith Hicks

Keith Hicks is an active contributor, finding fulfillment in volunteering with the Scouts and dedicating time to the veteran community. He has a passion for innovation and a dedication to community service, aiming to give back to the community and deliver a brighter future in the Mackay region.

Fran Mann

Frann Mann is a second term councillor with a passion for the region’s heritage and history. She is a key representative for the Regional Arts Development Fund. Fran attended primary and secondary schools in the Pioneer Valley and is a passionate advocate for all parts of the Mackay region.

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