A new era has started on the Sunshine Coast and Noosa, where new mayors and councillors have started four-year terms.
The Sunshine Coast has welcomed Rosanna Natoli and three new councillors, while Noosa has welcomed Frank Wilkie and two new councillors.
Sunshine Coast Council’s new mayor and councillors made their Declarations of Office at the council chambers within the city hall on Wednesday.
Mayor Natoli, who took over from retiring Mark Jamieson, was joined by Jenny Broderick (Division 1), Terry Landsberg (Division 2), Tim Burns (Division 3), Joe Natoli (Division 4) Winston Johnston (Division 5), Christian Dickson (Division 6), Ted Hungerford (Division 7), Taylor Bunnag (Division 8), Maria Suarez (Division 9), and David Law (Division 10).
Mayor Natoli congratulated each councillor on their election and she looked forward to working with them as a team.
“Welcome to a new, fresh and exciting Sunshine Coast Council,” she said via a council media release.
“I have said that, as mayor, I want to make a difference to our community, and I know my fellow councillors feel the same way, and to continue the good work of council.
“That’s why we each stood for election and aspired to represent our communities.
“This is an important day for the Sunshine Coast as our new council gets to work.
“Our focus is very much on supporting our community and collectively doing our best to improve lives in our region and ensure it continues to thrive into the future.”
Meanwhile, Noosa mayor Frank Wilkie and councillors took their oath of office during an official swearing-in ceremony.
Mayor Wilkie, who took over from state MP aspirant Clare Stewart, said it was an honour to take on the region’s top job and he said he was committed to meeting the needs of the community.
“We have a lot of challenges ahead of us, but with a collaborative approach and support from the community, we can continue to make Noosa a great place to live, work and visit,” he said via a Noosa Council media release.
“I congratulate all councillors on their election, and I look forward to working with them over the coming four years.”
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Returning councillors Amelia Lorentson, Brian Stockwell, Tom Wegener and Karen Finzel will be joined at the table by new faces Nicola Wilson and Jess Phillips.
Cr Wilkie said the councillors are community minded and passionate about the shire.
“We have a fantastic, well-balanced mix of councillors who have experience in finance, governance, environment and business,” he said.
“We have a busy few months of workshops and training sessions to get up to speed on the extensive projects and initiatives already underway by council.”
Both councils are set to elect deputy mayors and discuss councillor responsibilities at upcoming meetings.
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