Aldous to head super council change

Caloundra City mayor Don Aldous was today elected unopposed to head up the Sunshine Coast's move towards one regional council.

Caloundra City mayor Don Aldous was today elected unopposed to head up the Sunshine Coast's move towards one regional council.

Mr Aldous, a staunch supporter of regional co-operation, was appointed chairperson of the Local Transition Committee for the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.

He was nominated by Maroochy mayor Joe Natoli in a move also backed by Noosa deputy mayor Frank Pardon.

Noosa mayor Bob Abbot, the fiercest opponent of amalgamation on the Sunshine Coast, did not nominate.

Maroochy Council's chief executive officer John Knaggs was made interim CEO of the new regional body and is expected to start in the top job on Wednesday, September 12.

Mr Aldous, who has chaired the Sunshine Coast Regional Organisation of Councils (SUNROC) for years, said it was a great time for Coast councils to work together and see the Sunshine Coast go forward as a region.

While publicly opposed to forced council amalgamations in the past, Mr Aldous has been a strong advocate of regional co-operation, especially in planning, transport infrastructure, community facilities and tourism promotion.

He said the more councils worked together, the better the outcome that could be achieved for residents.

Mr Aldous' appointment comes on the same day as Coast councils joined with the State Government in launching a new public transport push .

Meanwhile, former Maroochy deputy mayor Trevor Thompson has backed calls for the community to have representatives on the transitional committee.

"I think it is very important they elect at least two community reps from each shire to serve on the committee as well,'' Mr Thompson said.

"The other night at a meeting regarding the proposed bioreactor site it was mentioned and they asked me if I would put myself forward to serve on the committee and I accepted,'' Mr Thompson said.

"I am not a member of the protest group but they see me with a wealth of experience both in community service and as a former councillor.''

Mr Thompson told thedaily.com.au that it was important the transition committee included not only politicians but people from the wider community.

Originally published as Aldous to head super council change