Gerard Carlyon appointed CEO of Mackay Regional Council
Published on 11 August 2025
Following a special meeting of council today (Monday, August 11), Mackay Regional Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Gerard Carlyon as its new Chief Executive Officer.
The appointment is effective from the end of September.
Mr Carlyon previously held the roles of Director of Community Services and Director of Planning at Mackay Regional Council between 2009 and 2018.
Mr Carlyon said returning to Mackay was very much a homecoming for his family.
“I love Mackay – my daughter was born here in the Mater Hospital and much of our family and many of our friends are here,” Mr Carlyon said.
“I’m honoured to be rejoining the Mackay Regional Council team and I look forward to listening and learning from the community, councillors and staff so we can build on the region’s strengths and deliver great outcomes for residents,” he said.
“The region – from the Pioneer Valley to the beaches and down to Sarina – is just beautiful and the council is an amazingly progressive council with a positive mindset that is focused on community improvement.
“I know staff attraction and retention is an issue facing the entire Mackay region, so I really want to make council a delightful place to work; I want people to enjoy coming to work each day and I want to engage and listen to staff to make that happen.”
Mr Carlyon joins council from Fraser Coast Regional Council, where he currently serves as Deputy CEO.
With more than two decades of senior leadership experience across State and Local Government, Mr Carlyon brings a wealth of expertise in regional and economic development, strategic planning, community services, environmental management and major project delivery.
Mayor Greg Williamson said Mr Carlyon was a highly respected leader with a deep understanding of our region and the challenges and opportunities ahead.
“We’re thrilled to have someone of his calibre and experience leading our organisation into the future,” Mayor Williamson said.
“Gerard has a very strong connection with the Mackay region and he is passionate about working with and engaging with the community, which makes him an ideal choice to guide the council through its next chapter,” he said.
Mr Carlyon said his time in the Fraser Coast had taught him how vitally important sustainable development was in a rapidly growing region.
“Over the last ten years, the Fraser Coast has seen some of the highest population growth rates in regional Queensland, so constantly engaging with the community on their needs and then delivering key projects to cater for a rapidly growing region is part of day-to-day business,” he said.
“The Mackay region and Fraser Coast have a lot of similarities around geographic size and the makeup of rural and residential communities – Mackay is also poised for a period of rapid growth.
“I’m looking forward to being part of that next period and helping to deliver key projects like future stages of the Finch Hatton Mountain Bike Trails and the Northern Beaches Community Hub.”
Mayor Greg Williamson said council extended its sincere thanks to the Acting CEO David McKendry “who had been a steady hand on the tiller” during the transitionary period.
“David has kept the ship on course during his time as Acting CEO and councillors and staff are very appreciative of his leadership and tireless efforts throughout his time in the role,” he said.
