Mayor
CurrentMackay Regional Council is the Queensland Local Government authority covering the former municipalities of Mackay City, Pioneer, Sarina and Mirani Shires. With an area footprint of 7622 sqkm the council has a landmass bigger than 36 sovereign states of the world, and in Queensland it is bigger than the land area of Cairns and the Sunshine Coast combined. The region grows one third of Australia's sugar cane, has a large beef cattle and grain export trade, and has been since the 1970s one of the largest service centres for the Bowen Basin Coalfields. Mackay's engineering IP leads the State in innovation. Boasting 31 unspoilt beaches, some of the best rainforest destinations in Queensland and a settled history dating back to 1862, the region is also a great holiday destination. Mackay Regional Council has an annual budget around $300M and employs 1100 staff. Mayors in Queensland are elected by the public and serve a four year term.