Sugar Capital
Mackay is located on the coastline, half way between Cairns and Brisbane. It covers an area of 7622km, has a great climate, natural environment, fantastic lifestyle features and the people are friendly.
We’re home to Queensland’s largest and Australia’s second-largest sugar producer, Mackay Sugar. Being known as a sugar capital, we have in recent decades transformed into a thriving regional city, with diversity the key to our economic growth and prosperity. Our coal terminals exported 115 million tonnes of coal last financial year. Our industrial estate Paget services the mining industry. We also have growth in the agriculture and tourism sectors.
What makes our community attractive are the lifestyle aspects we offer that attracts and retains staff in our area.
A favourite spot is Finch Hatton Gorge – the only place in the world where you can scuba dive with platypus – it is amazing. Besides Eungella National Park and Cape Hillsborough National Park, we have 31 pristine beaches.
Diversifying the economy
Mackay has been the service centre for the 42 operating coalmines in the Bowen Basin. For 10 years we benefited from the unprecedented growth period in the history of our nation that occurred in the resource sector. Since 2012 we have been experiencing an adjustment in our economy and learning to adapt. Our Council along with key industry, business, community and government representatives have been focusing on diversifying our economy. Seeing what new industries we can attract to our region in order to grow new jobs.
We were the first water utility in Australia to implement Automatic Water Reading (AMR) technology. That, in conjunction with our ‘myh2o’ website, allows residents to keep a real-time track on their water use and any water leaks are immediately identified.
We’ve established a Water and Waste Advisory Board with three external representatives resulting in potentially saving the organisation about $100 million over the next decade.
We recently opened Regional Australia’s first optical sorting plant, combined with a glass crushing facility, at Paget. It dramatically improves our recycling rates and reduces the amount of waste going to landfill.
Council has also partnered with Propel Partnerships, of which the Local Government Association of Queensland is a part-owner, to create Northern Australia Services (NAS). This shared services business will improve customer service, reduce operating costs and create the opportunity for a future income stream.
Full-time commitment
Working in Local Government in Mackay Regional Council is a full-time job. Neither I nor other councillors have other full-time jobs, we all work full-time serving as councillors.
I was first elected to Council in 1994 and retired in 2004 to adopt my children from Taiwan. I stood for re-election in 2008 and was re-elected and in 2012 I stood for Mayor and was duly elected 53rd Mayor.I have served 17 years in Local Government.
I make daily sacrifices to serve in the role as Mayor. I do this because I want to leave a legacy for my community for the time I served in office. One day people will look back at my time in office and note the turning point it was for our community. My legacy will be the lasting cultural change in the organisation as I have led by example. I have not asked of staff anything that I am not prepared to do myself. I have been a courageous leader (doing the right thing at the right time despite the personal cost). I am a values driven individual who cares about people. My mantra coming into the role has been integrity, passion and innovation. Nearly four years on in the role of Mayor, I see my mantra being lived out in the organisation in so many ways, which pleases me immensely.
