SUNSHINE Coast Mayor, Mark Jamieson, has announced today he will not be re-running for the role as Mayor in the March 2024 election, to prioritise spending time with his family.
The mayor announced his departure from local politics, citing he wants to put his family and personal interests first, but said he has loved serving the region “24/7” for 12 years.
“I know this may come as a surprise to some people, but there comes a time when we all re-evaluate our priorities- and recognising the importance of our nearest and dearest has to be priority number 1,” he said.
Although he couldn’t confirm if any of the current sitting Councillors were planning to run for Mayor next year, Mr Jamieson said the role comes with a lot of responsibility and whoever runs must be in it for the right reasons.
“Whoever nominates to be elected to our region’s most important role, I wish them all the very best,” he said.
“I won’t be involving myself in anyone’s campaign- every candidate must present their own vision for the future.”
Mr Jamieson has contributed to a number of successful local projects including naming Sunshine Coast a UNESCO Biosphere and contributing to the Blue Heart partnership to help preserve the Maroochy River flood plain.
Mayor Jamieson said he could not have achieved anything without the support from Councillors, and council staff over the years.
“I want to particularly acknowledge and thank my fellow Councillors- our current Councillors and those who I have served with since 2012- for being part of an incredible journey as we have shaped a healthy, smart and creative future for our Sunshine Coast,” he said.
He also thanked his wife Lorrell, children Sommer, Bart and Theo and their partners, and his granddaughter Lucky, as he could not have done the job without them.
