News presenter Rosanna Natoli has been declared the Sunshine Coast’s next mayor and has vowed to bring a new style of leadership to the region.
Ms Natoli claimed an unassailable lead in the election count on Thursday night, when 83.14 per cent of the votes were counted.
She had 56,822 votes (27.46 per cent), ahead of Ashley Robinson with 50,521 votes (24.41 per cent), Jason O’Pray with 44,335 votes (21.42 per cent), Min Swan with 33,882 votes (16.37 per cent), Wayne Parcell with 13,009 votes (6.43 per cent), and Michael Burgess with 8065 votes (3.9 per cent).
Ms Natoli took to social media for her victory speech.
“Well, it’s official, I have been declared the next mayor of the Sunshine Coast,” she said.
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.
“Thank you so much to all of my supporters who have been with me through the campaign and then the election itself and the nearly two weeks since as we’ve watched the count and also the preferences be allocated.
“To all of the other candidates, congratulations, it really does take a lot to put yourself out there and it was a fantastic field, so thank you for being part of the process and the Sunshine Coast is a better place for it.
“To everyone on the Sunshine Coast, this really is an exciting time, I pledge to really make a difference to the community and you will see a new style of leadership and a new council.
“To all of the other councillors elected, congratulations, I look forward to working with you.
“It really is exciting Sunshine Coast, because this is going to be new and it’s going to be different and it’s going to be about the people of the Sunshine Coast.
“I look forward to working for you.”
Ms Natoli last week told Sunshine Coast News she vowed to win over the people of the Sunshine Coast if elected as mayor.
She acknowledged that she had a minority vote.
“A majority of people did not vote for me,” she said.
I will work hard over the term, if I am elected, to earn the trust and respect of those people.”
Mrs Natoli also 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.”
Ms Natoli will be joined in council by her husband and former Maroochy Shire mayor Joe Natoli, who was re-elected as councillor for Division 4.
Seven of 10 councillor roles have been declared.
Returning councillors include Terry Landsberg in Division 2, Mr Natoli in Division 4, Winston Johnston in Division 5, Christian Dickson in uncontested Division 6, and Maria Suarez in Division 9.
Jennifer Broderick takes over in Division 1, from retiring Rick Baberowski, and Timothy Burns has won in Division 3, after Peter Cox retired.
But Division 7, 8 and 10 are still to be declared, with more than 80 per cent of the vote counted.
Incumbent Ted Hungerford appeared to have a significant lead in Division 7, while Taylor Bunnag also held a sizeable lead in Division 8, which was held by mayoral aspirant Jason O’Pray.
But Division 10 was in the balance. Policeman Peter Walsh had a 200-vote lead over incumbent David Law.
Local journalists supporting local people. Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email at the bottom of this article.
