Greg Williamson (politician)

Councillor
Greg Williamson
Mayor of Mackay
Incumbent
Assumed office
13 March 2016
Preceded byDierdre Comerford
Personal details
NationalityAustralian
Political partyIndependent
SpouseAnnette Williamson
ChildrenDean Williamson
Leigh Williamson
OccupationPilot
Businessman

Gregory Roy Williamson is the mayor of North Queensland's Mackay Regional Council, a position he has held since 2016.[1][2][3]

Before entering politics, Williamson was a radio announcer for Mackay's local 4MK radio station.[4] Williamson started his political career as an alderman of what was then the Mackay City Council in the 1980s. He oversaw the amalgamation of the city and shire councils in 1994.[5]

Williamson first served as Mackay's mayor from 1991 to 1994[6] before going into business[5] and then returning to public office in 2016.[7] Williamson is a fifth generation Mackay local and has over 35 years of service with the Australian Air Force Cadets.[6]

In October 2019, The New York Times profiled Williamson's planting, outreach, and education efforts to protect his community from the negative effects of climate change as part of a growing trend of small-town mayors hoping to affect change at the local level.[8]

Williamson formed the Greg Williamson Alliance ahead of the 2016 election, with six members of the group re-elected in 2020. In 2023, four councillors left the group, and in 2024 he formed Team Greg Williamson.[9][10]

Williamson was re-elected at the 2024 local government elections with 51.56% of the vote after preferences.

  1. ^ "2016 Mackay Regional Council - Mayoral Election - Election Summary". Electoral Commission of Queensland. Queensland Government. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  2. ^ Maddison, Melissa (6 April 2016). "New Mackay Mayor sworn in". ABC News. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  3. ^ "Mackay Regional Council - Councillors". Mackay Regional Council. Queensland Government. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  4. ^ "Gregory Williamson - Mayor of Mackay 1991-1994". www.mackayhistory.org. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Interview with: Mayor Cr Greg Williamson | Regional Capitals Australia". 3 August 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  6. ^ a b Council, Mackay Regional (5 April 2016). "Councillors". www.mackay.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  7. ^ "Mayor's plan to boost Mackay's fortunes". www.couriermail.com.au. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  8. ^ Abbott, Matthew (12 October 2019). "Can Mayors Save the World From Climate Change?". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
  9. ^ "Mackay councillors to break from Mayor Greg Williamson's alliance in 2024". The Courier Mail.
  10. ^ "FOR OUR REGION Team Greg Williamson Announces Candidates For Local Election". Mackay & Whitsunday Life.