Martin Bella

Cr Martin Bella is serving his second term on council, having been re-elected in 2020. During his first term from 2016-2020, he earned a reputation for being straight-talking and a strong voice for rural landholders. He is especially a key advocate for residents in the southern part of the region, including Sarina, Sarina Range and Koumala. After being heavily involved in recovery in that southern region post Cyclone Debbie in 2017, he again helped lead residents in those areas during an unprecedented bushfire crisis in November 2018 and through the subsequent recovery. A former Queensland State of Origin and Australian representative in rugby league, he’s tackled his role as a councilor with plenty of passion. His expertise in sugar and beef provides council with a good insight into these industries. Cr Bella is a member of council’s Water and Waste and Transport and Drainage advisory boards and the Audit Committee. He also represents council on the Whitsunday Regional Roads Group and the Northern Alliance of Councils. Cr Bella’s career has included a vast range of roles, such as cane farming, grazier, mining, retail agricultural sales, construction and maintenance, sales, hospitality and transport and freight. He is a qualified physiotherapist and has owned and operated his own practice in Anzac Street, Sarina.