100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

'I’m just so proud to be here today as your mayor': Natoli makes first council address

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

‘Landmark’ property commanding $515,981 in rent hits market

A commercial property within a busy precinct has hit the market, offering what agents are calling one of the “most compelling opportunities” in years. Located More

‘Stairway to haven’ helps fish migrate, breed

Two new fishways are being installed on a Coast creek to help native fish navigate weirs, which act as barriers to reaching breeding habitats. The More

‘Really special’: Aussie pair triumphs in Coast ironman

Queensland’s Ellie Salthouse and Tasmania’s Jake Birtwhistle have impressed on their way to victory at the 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast, with both athletes More

Photo of the day: whopper catch

Blake Shannon landed a 80cm dusty flathead at Golden Beach on Father's Day. The photo was sent in by Wayde Shannon. If you have a More

Work starts on multimillion-dollar parcel facility

Construction has started on a new Australia Post facility that is expected to process up to 16,000 parcels a day. Work is underway on building More

Firearm and car seized as emergency declaration revoked

Police have revoked an earlier emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) following a reported incident at Glenview. Officers were called to an More

The new Sunshine Coast Council has held its post-election meeting, with Councillor Maria Suarez to serve as the region’s new deputy mayor.

Cr Suarez, who will serve under new mayor Rosanna Natoli, thanked her fellow councillors for supporting her nomination.

“I’d like to recognise the vast experience and leadership of all the councillors in this room,” she said at yesterday’s meeting.

“I put myself forward because I would like to see mayor Natoli be successful, because if mayor Natoli is successful, we are all successful and our community will benefit.

“I am looking forward to working closely with mayor Natoli and fellow councillors for the benefit of the region.”

In her first official address to a council meeting, Cr Natoli said council had an opportunity to create “a better place for us all”.

She paid tribute to her family and supporters, and outlined the type of leader she would be.

“I’m passionate, determined, hard-working and strong, and I fight for what I believe in,’’ Cr Natoli said.

Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli, centre, with councillors Tim Burns, Christian Dickson, Winston Johnston, Jenny Broderick, Joe Natoli, Ted Hungerford, Maria Suarez, Terry Landsberg, David Law and Taylor Bunnag.

“I’m just so proud to be here today as your mayor.

“I have been entrenched in the community for more than three decades and it’s an enormous privilege to serve.”

Cr Natoli promised to work with fellow councillors and the region’s state and federal members “to secure the infrastructure the Sunshine Coast so desperately needs”.

“I promise to be open and accountable, available, accessible. Most of all, I promise to listen,” she said.

“This is an exciting time in our region’s story. We are facing enormous growth, which brings challenges, but also tremendous opportunities, the chance to make the Sunshine Coast a better place for us all, and for future generations.

“These are the pledges I make to you today. I will work every day to represent our community. I will always do my best to serve you and put the people of the Sunshine Coast first.

“I look forward to working with council officers, executive and my fellow councillors to make this a reality.”

Also at the meeting, Cr Natoli was appointed as chairperson of the Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Management Group, with Cr Suarez appointed deputy chairperson.

The date for the first Ordinary Meeting of the new council has been set and will be held at 9am on Wednesday, April 24.

All meetings will continue to be livestreamed via council’s website and open to public attendance.

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.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share