Councillors from around the Sunshine Coast have stated their intentions for upcoming local elections, amid speculation at least one of them could run for mayor.
Mayor Mark Jamieson and Deputy Mayor Rick Baberoswki have previously announced they will retire in March, but several members of the 10-division council have told Sunshine Coast News they are eager to retain their positions.
Division 8 representative Jason O’Pray said he would run for a position on council again and said he would make a “major announcement” this month.
Cr O’Pray has been a mainstay in council since 2012, as the member for the coastal stretch from Maroochydore to Coolum Beach.
He is the co-holder of the economy portfolio and is a member of multiple groups, including the Major Events Advisory Panel, Sunshine Coast Events Board, Economic Resurgence Taskforce, Council of Mayors SEQ Economic Development Working Group, SunCentral Maroochydore Shareholder Reference Group and the Coast Stadium Expansion Project Control Group.
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A local product who went to Maroochydore High School, Cr O’Pray was inducted into the Sunshine Coast Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 for his exploits in surf and pool lifesaving. He won titles at every level and set seven international lifesaving world records.
The mayor’s position will become available when Cr Jamieson steps down after a 12-year tenure. He revealed last month that he wanted to put family and personal interests first.
Deputy Mayor Rick Baberowski will also step down, to spend more time with family.
Prominent local journalist Rosanna Natoli on Thursday announced she would run for mayor.
The longest-running councillor on the Sunshine Coast, Ted Hungerford, has outlined what sort of traits would make an adept mayor.
“It (the role) is really for a person who has worked in administration before and understands legislation,” he said.
“A sitting councillor is usually the best way to go for mayor because they have the experience, but also someone who has a business background and understands financial management.
“That’s very important, because we have gone to a $1 billion budget for the first time, so you have to have some financial acumen to manage that.”
Cr Hungerford has been on council for 20 years but said he had no plans to run for the position.
“I don’t think my wife would want to talk to me if I did that,” he said.
“I’m hardly home now, so she would never see me.
“It (the mayor’s job) is a pretty big task.
“It’s a full-on job where you must attend events every weekend and represent council for a whole range of things.”
He said council and the region in general had evolved rapidly.
“There has been enormous change since I started in the role, but I think it’s been pretty good though,” he said.
The 59-year-old said he was intent on serving the community again and was passionate about his job.
“I still enjoy what I’m doing,” he said.
“I always use my own initiative and do what I feel is what’s right, and that’s held me in good stead.
“I represent the area (parts of Buderim, Maroochydore, Kuluin and surrounds) I grew up in as a kid and am a lifetime resident here, so I know the place very well.”
Cr Hungerford has held finance, governance and audit responsibilities during the past four years.
“I’ve really enjoyed it. We (Sunshine Coast Council) are in the top three or four in Queensland for financial management and I’d like to keep us there,” he said.
Meanwhile, Division 6 councillor Christian Dickson said he would run for council again and added that he would consider running for mayor in the future.
“As a new father to a five-month-old boy, I’m not able to undertake the region-wide campaigning required to have a run at the mayoral position. I will certainly leave this option on the table for the future should residents wish to see me have a go,” he said.
Council elections will be held on March 16.
Cr Jamieson said prospective mayors must be ready to face scrutiny and should be business wise.
“I think you’ve got to be prepared to have a fairly thick skin,” he said.
“You need to remember you’re running a really big business and I think a lot of people overlook that.
“The dividend from that business, back to its shareholders, who are our residents, is the quality of investment that goes on the delivery of projects.”
He also said mayors should not be affiliated with political parties.
“Whoever steps up as the next mayor of the Sunshine Coast needs to be apolitical,” he said.
“To be aligned to a political party just puts you at odds with potentially who’s in power at a state or federal level and that’s never helpful.
“You are dedicated to a community and that community expects you to fight for them and if you confuse your motives by your political agenda then you probably won’t last that long.”
Sunshine Coast News asked all councillors if they intended to run for council again and if they would run for mayor.
Where councillors stand
Mark Jamieson – Mayor
- Running for council: No
- Running for mayor: No
Rick Baberowski – Deputy Mayor and Division 1
- Running for council: No
- Running for mayor: No
Terry Landsberg – Division 2
- Running for council: Yes
- Running for mayor: No
Peter Cox – Division 3
- Running for council: Yes
- Running for mayor: No direct response, “every desire to continue in role” in Division 3
Joe Natoli – Division 4
- Running for council: Yes
- Running for mayor: No
Winston Johnston – Division 5
- Running for council: Yes
- Running for mayor: No
Christian Dickson – Division 6
- Running for council: Yes
- Running for mayor: No, “option on table for the future”
Ted Hungerford – Division 7
- Running for council: Yes
- Running for mayor: No
Jason O’Pray – Division 8
- Running for council: Yes
- Running for mayor: No direct response, “major announcement” on way
Maria Suarez – Division 9
- Running for council: No reply
- Running for mayor: No reply
David Law – Division 10
- Running for council: Yes
- Running for mayor: No
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