Councillors

Mackay Regional Council has established five Strategic Advisory Committees to provide expert advice on key areas of community and regional development, as outlined in the Corporate Plan.

These committees focus on areas like arts, culture and heritage; economic development and growth; sustainability; regional infrastructure; and liveability and social inclusion. They aim to guide council on strategic direction, identify issues, develop projects and foster collaboration between council departments and the community.

Committee membership includes councillors, key council staff and often community representatives. Various community stakeholders are also regularly invited as guests.

All recommendations from the strategic advisory committees are presented at a full council meeting for consideration.

• Arts Culture and Heritage Advisory Committee Terms of Reference(PDF, 149KB)
• Economic Development and Growth Strategic Advisory Committee Terms of Reference(PDF, 146KB)
• Liveability and Social Inclusion Strategic Advisory Committee Terms of Reference(PDF, 149KB)
• Regional Infrastructure Strategic Advisory Committee Terms of Reference(PDF, 149KB)
• Sustainability Strategic Advisory Committee Terms of Reference(PDF, 164KB)

Watch the Strategic Advisory Committees videos

• Councillor Conduct Register(PDF, 363KB)
• Register of Councillor Complaints Pre December 3, 2018(PDF, 173KB)

• View the sponsorship register(PDF, 208KB)

Mayor Greg Williamson has an undeniable enthusiasm for the region he’s always called home. Whether it be inspiring local sporting teams at their season launch or telling anyone who will listen that Mackay is the best place in the world to live, he speaks with unbridled passion when it comes to this region.

A fifth generation local, Mayor Williamson was elected for his third consecutive term as mayor at the 2024 local government elections.

He returned to the mayoralty in 2016 and again served as mayor from 2020 to 2024.

He had also previously been mayor of the then Mackay City Council from 1991 to 1994 before amalgamation with the former Pioneer Shire Council.

Following that first stint in the top job in the early 90s, he gained vast management experience in large businesses and brought that skillset back to the mayoralty.

Mayor Williamson has a long history of service to the community, ranging from Rotary to the then Small Business Association and Mackay Tourism and more than 35 years of service with the Australian Air Force Cadets.

He has also been at the helm of the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) as chair during Cyclone Debbie in 2017, the bushfires in 2018 and the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

Deputy Mayor Karen May’s vast local government experience totals 20 years.

The most experienced councillor on the current council, she was deputy mayor during the last term from 2020-2024.

She was also a councillor, deputy mayor and mayor of the former Sarina Shire Council.

As mayor, she led Sarina through amalgamation with Mackay City and Mirani Shire councils in 2008 and was elected to the new, amalgamated Mackay Regional Council.

She was re-elected for her fourth consecutive term on the amalgamated council at the 2024 local government elections. She was then elected Deputy Mayor by her fellow councillors in August 2024 after Cr Belinda Hassan resigned from that role when she became and endorsed candidate for the seat of Mackay at the October State Government election.

Cr May is co-chair of council’s Liveability and Social Inclusion Strategic Advisory Committeeand also deputy chair of the Regional Infrastructure Strategic Advisory Committee.

She is also a council representative on the Whitsunday Regional Roads and Transport Group, Traffic Advisory Committee, the not-for-profit regional body for community and social development, Greater Whitsunday Communities, and Mackay Regional Housing Company Limited.

During her time on council, Cr May has been dedicated to helping and listening to the community.

She is passionate about advocating on behalf of business, industry and tourism for our region.

Her volunteer work includes serving as chairperson of the Mackay Women’s Service, Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank and committee member of Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsunday.

Cr Anne Baker is a respected and long-serving community leader with over 17 years of experience in local government across Central Queensland. Renowned for her people-first approach and unwavering advocacy for regional communities, Anne has earned a reputation as a councillor and mayor who delivers practical outcomes while staying true to grassroots values.

Cr Baker began her local government journey in 2007 as a councillor with Belyando Shire. Following amalgamation, she became a foundation councillor of the newly established Isaac Regional Council.

In 2012, she was elected Mayor of Isaac, a position she held with distinction for 12 years.

During her tenure, Cr Baker championed significant wins for resource communities, including securing funding for a new hospital in Moranbah, expanding affordable housing across the region, advancing the Isaac Resource Centre of Excellence and initiating base funding for the Country University Centres. She also played a pivotal role in protecting the town of Glenden and led nationally recognised planning and infrastructure initiatives.

In 2025, Cr Baker returned to public service closer to home, successfully winning a seat in the Mackay Regional Council By-election. She brings a wealth of expertise in governance, policy and community advocacy, grounded in a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing regional Queensland.

Driven by her passion for housing, liveability and amplifying regional voices, Cr Baker is committed to shaping a strong, sustainable and inclusive future for the Mackay region. She describes her leadership style as collaborative, practical and rooted in integrity.

Outside of council, Cr Baker is a proud mother and grandmother who values strong communities where families can thrive. She enjoys playing golf and relaxing at the beach.

Cr Martin Bella is serving his third consecutive term on council, having been re-elected in 2024.

During his first terms from 2016-2020 and 2020-2024, he earned a reputation for being straight-talking and a strong voice for rural landholders.

He is especially a key advocate for residents in the southern part of our region, including Sarina, Sarina Range and Koumala.

After being heavily involved in recovery in that southern region post Cyclone Debbie in 2017, he again helped lead residents in those areas during an unprecedented bushfire crisis in November 2018 and through the subsequent recovery.

A former Queensland State of Origin and Australian representative in rugby league, he’s tackled his role as a councillor with plenty of passion.

His expertise in sugar and beef provides council with a good insight into these industries, as well as landholder issues like pest and weed management.

Cr Bella’s career has included a vast range of roles, such as cane farming, grazier, mining, retail agricultural sales, construction and maintenance, sales, hospitality and transport and freight. He is a qualified physiotherapist and has owned and operated his own practice in Anzac Street, Sarina.

Cr Namarca Corowa is the first elected councillor on Mackay Regional Council with Australian South Sea Islander and Aboriginal heritage.

Elected as a first-term councillor in the 2024 local government elections, he currently serves as the co-chair of council’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategic Advisory Committee and represents council on the Mayor’s Domestic Violence Taskforce.

Cr Corowa is the founding director and lead facilitator of Reconcile Life, an organisation that collaborates with various levels of government and the community to provide men's domestic and family violence behavioural change services, as well as domestic violence awareness and prevention programs for youth. His work integrates healthy relationships workshops from cultural perspectives, traditional woodworking, art and music.

With a diverse professional background, Cr Corowa has extensive experience in Restorative Justice, Youth Justice, Training and Employment, foster care and various roles in the mining, construction and sugar industries.

In addition to his professional achievements, Cr Corowa is a talented singer and songwriter, performing drums, guitar and bass on stage and with youth groups since 1990 to today.

Cr Belinda Hassan is serving her second term on Mackay Regional Council.

She is a fifth-generation Mackay region local with a proven passion for supporting the community through both her professional work and volunteer efforts.

Cr Hassan was elected Deputy Mayor of the new council before resigning from that role in early August 2024 after she became the endorsed candidate for the state seat of Mackay at the October State Government election.

She is co-chair of council’s Economic Development and Growth Strategic Advisory Committee, which is focussed on diversification of the regional economy, facilitating development and innovation, promoting investment opportunities, support for and growth in existing industries and tourism and events attraction.

Cr Hassan is also a councillor representative for Mackay Isaac Tourism Limited, Regional Development Australia (RDA) Greater Whitsunday, Local Authority Waste Management Action Committee (LAWMAC) and the Mayor’s Domestic Violence Taskforce.

Formerly the manager of Mackay Funerals and Sarina Funerals, Cr Hassan has maintained her commitment to several community organisations, including the Zonta Club of Mackay and Samaritan House Women's Domestic Violence Shelter.

Additionally, Cr Hassan holds leadership roles in various organisations, serving as a past President and the current Secretary/Treasurer of the Sarina Lions Club, past President of the Rotary Club of Mackay Sunrise, Secretary of the Rotary Club of Mackay Corporate, Secretary of the Pine Islet Lighthouse Preservation Committee, and is a volunteer member of Crime Stoppers Mackay.

A top priority for Cr Hassan is for all residents to have access to activities and events that promote a healthy and active lifestyle, by providing equitable access and encouraging sporting, recreational and outdoor activities throughout the region.

Cr Ash-Lee Johnson is a dedicated first-time councillor with a good understanding of Mackay Regional Council’s operations.

Before being elected in March 2024, Cr Johnson worked in various roles in financial services and in the economic development program, gaining valuable experience to bring to the role.

Cr Johnson is co-chair of council’s Liveability and Social Inclusion Strategic Advisory Committee and a member of council’s Audit Committee.

She is also a council representative on the Mackay Regional Housing Company Limited, the North Queensland Sports Foundation and Mayor’s Domestic Violence Taskforce.

With an Accounting degree and industry accreditation as an Australian Certified Economic Developer, Cr Johnson is committed to contributing to this diverse council. Outside of her professional life, Cr Johnson enjoys exploring the region with her young family, from its beautiful beaches to the unique rainforest.

Cr Alison Jones has proudly served the Mackay region for more than four decades. She is currently in her fourth term as a councillor with Mackay Regional Council. Her enduring commitment to the community is reflected in her leadership roles as Co-Chair of the Sustainability Strategic Advisory Committee and as council’s representative on the Reef Guardian Council program.

With a diverse professional background spanning mining, logistics and disability advocacy, Cr Jones brings a wealth of practical experience to her role. Her career has included positions as a plant operator, stevedore, meat works supervisor, truck driver in the mining industry and manager of a drug and alcohol testing company. More recently, she has worked in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) sector, championing the rights of people with disabilities.

Cr Jones has dedicated more than 33 years to volunteer service, holding executive roles in not-for-profit organisations across various sectors including disability support, homelessness, Indigenous affairs, recreational fishing and environmental conservation. Her advocacy has been instrumental in initiatives such as the Mackay Sleep Bus project, which provides safe overnight accommodation for people experiencing homelessness.

She takes pride in her contributions to key council projects, including the development of the Bluewater Lagoon, the redevelopment of the Lamberts Beach Lookout, the Seagull Street Boat Ramp and the ongoing construction of the Pioneer Valley Rail Trail.

Cr Jones is deeply passionate about supporting individuals of all abilities and strengthening ties with Indigenous communities, including Indigenous-owned businesses. Her work continues to reflect a strong commitment to inclusivity, sustainability and community wellbeing.

Cr Nathenea MacRae is proud to serve as a first-term councillor on Mackay Regional Council, following her election in March 2024. A fifth-generation local, born and raised in Mackay, she has a deep connection to the people and places that make the region home.

Passionate about building a strong and liveable community, Cr MacRae is committed to supporting local businesses, strengthening opportunities for young people and ensuring the region remains a welcoming place for families and new residents.

She currently serves as co-chair of council’s Economic Development and Growth Strategic Advisory Committee and is a board member of Mackay Isaac Tourism, where she works to promote growth, investment and sustainable development across the region.

Beyond council, Cr MacRae is a community volunteer with Mackay Street Chaplaincy and the ADRA Op Shop, reflecting her strong belief in compassion, safety and inclusion.

As a mum of two daughters, she values family life and understands the importance of creating a community where future generations can thrive. Through her work, Cr MacRae is dedicated to listening to residents, championing local voices, and helping shape a vibrant, connected Mackay region for all.

First-term councillor Heath Paton is used to shaping many Mackay hairstyles.

Now he’s excited to be playing a part in helping shape the direction of the Mackay region and its future.

Cr Paton, elected at the 2024 local government elections, has owned his own barber store for 12 years and that profession has helped hone his communication skills.

The barber shop can be a sanctuary for the community, particularly men, to open up and talk.

Cr Paton, a father of two, has done a lot of outreach work to promote men’s mental health.

He has also been passionate about sport as a football (soccer) player and coach.

Cr Paton is co-chair of council’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategic Advisory Committee.

He describes himself as a creative person and wants to focus on building a stronger community presence. He wants to hear from the community.

Cr Paton believes Mackay is a blank slate with a clear canvas from which the region can build and improve.

First-term councillor Peter Sheedy is a fourth generation Mackay resident and great nephew of Wentford Street’s namesake, Trooper Jack Wentford, who was a casualty in the first World War.

Cr Sheedy grew up at Marian and worked as a clerk at Racecourse Mill whilst embarking on external studies with UQ.

He was elected at the 2024 local government elections.

A qualified accountant, Cr Sheedy has spent much of his career working with canegrowers.

After a period of four years with Maryborough Sugar as Company Secretary and Financial Accountant, he was in Ingham from 1988 until 2018, where he represented up to 800 farmers and negotiated with CSR and later Wilmar on their behalf.

Cr Sheedy will bring a major focus on financial responsibility in his role on council.

He is co-chair of council’s Sustainability Strategic Advisory Committee and a proxy/observer on council’s Audit Committee.

Cr Sheedy is a member of West Mackay Rotary Club and attends monthly working bees to support transitional housing in a ruralarea off Seaforth Road. He is also a foundation member of Pioneer Valley Men’s Shed.

It is not the first time the Sheedy name has been part of local government in Mackay.One of his brothers Barry Sheedy served with the former Pioneer Shire Council and then the amalgamated Mackay City Council.