Rosanna Natoli has vowed to win over the people of the Sunshine Coast, acknowledging that despite currently leading the mayoral count, the majority of people had not voted for her.
As of Tuesday afternoon and with almost 80 per cent of votes counted, Mrs Natoli (27.3 per cent) was leading Ashley Robinson (24.6 per cent) and Jason O’Pray (21.4 per cent) after Saturday’s poll.
Fellow mayoral candidate Wayne Parcell, who had 6.4 per cent of the vote, said he disagreed with voting systems used to determine the election results.
“An outcome that sees a mayor who was not chosen by 70 per cent of the voters is far from ideal,” he said.
But Mrs Natoli said if she was elected to take over from outgoing mayor Mark Jamieson she would work hard to impress.
“I understand that the role of mayor is an enormous responsibility,” she told Sunshine Coast News.
“A majority of people did not vote for me. I will work hard over the term, if I am elected, to earn the trust and respect of those people.”
She said it was a nervous wait while the outcome of the vote was determined.
“I am feeling positive at the moment – I am currently more than 5500 votes ahead, but there are still thousands of postal votes to be counted and preferences to be distributed,” she said.
“So, it’s a tense time while we wait for the final outcome.”
Mrs Natoli said she’d enjoyed the campaign.
“I have met so many terrific people who have shared with me their concerns, and also their hopes and dreams for the future of the Sunshine Coast,” she said.
“I have worked very hard to cover much of the region with my ‘Listening Tour’ and talking to locals has been the highlight of the campaign.”
If elected, Mrs Natoli outlined to SCN what her immediate focuses would be.
“My first priority will be bringing the councillors together so that we can be a cohesive team making decisions for the betterment of the Sunshine Coast,” she said.
“Secondly, I will meet with the CEO and executive to work out how to deliver the elements of my 10-point plan so that there is a structured approach.
“Then, I will book in the dates for my ‘town hall-style’ meetings so I can continue to build a relationship with the people of the Sunshine Coast.”
Mrs Natoli’s husband Joe is in the box seat to retain his position as councillor for Division 4, holding about 51.4 per cent of the vote, ahead of his nearest rival John Connolly (27.3 per cent).
Mr Robinson said the Natolis would be under close scrutiny, especially in council meeting votes.
“If she wins and with Joe also elected, at times there will be three votes in the one household and they will be judged on the results,” he said.
Under Section 254E of the Local Government Regulation 2012, “each councillor or committee member present has a vote on each question to be decided and, if the votes are equal, the person presiding at the meeting has a casting vote”.
Michael Burgess, who received about 3.9 per cent of the vote, said he didn’t think a new mayor would bring about any change.
“The hard job of creating a viable economy won’t get done, so we will continue to slide down the negative trend in wages and household income,” he said.
Mr O’Pray and Min Swan, who received about 16.2 per cent of the vote, were also contacted for comment.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
