Beach Matters group demands answers over Sunshine Coast councillor, mayor backflip

Members of a community group have spoken out following the Sunshine Coast Council’s controversial changes to hotel height limits, saying they were blindsided by a councillor and mayor’s election backflip.

The Beach Matters group disappointment regarding the beach height limit and several people saying Joe and Rosanna Natoli told them they would oppose height limit relaxation along the foreshore. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Members of a local community group have spoken out following the Sunshine Coast Council’s controversial changes to height limits, saying they were blindsided by one councillor’s vote following his election commitments.

The criticism comes after the Sunshine Coast Council passed a temporary local planning instrument to allow high-end hotel developers to surpass current building height limits in a bid to attract more five-star projects ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The decision, reached at the council’s ordinary meeting last week, followed a community consultation, which revealed 50 per cent of those surveyed opposed the proposed changes.

Jule and Raymund Guthrie said they were disappointed by the Sunshine Coast Council’s decision. Photo: Patrick Woods.

For Alexandra Headland couple Raymund and Jule Guthrie, they fear the TLPI will change the beachside community.

“I’m concerned we are going to turn into another Surfer’s Paradise and that would be a disaster,” Mr Guthrie said.

As for the local councillor, Joe Natoli and his wife and Mayor Rosanna Natoli, Mr Guthrie said their actions did not meet the commitments they made ahead of the local government election in March this year.

The Beach Matters group said they were led to believe Joe and Rosanna Natoli would oppose height limit relaxation along the foreshore. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Another resident and The Beach Matters vice president, Paula McGrath, said she supported Mr Natoli’s election campaign for division 4, believing he would honour his pledge about high rise developments and the environment.

“I walked the streets of Mooloolaba, Maroochydore dropping flyers in letterboxes, went to the pre-election wearing a Joe Natoli T-shirt, I really believed that he cared about beach and environment things and pre-election he did but now he has completely done a backflip,” Ms McGrath said.

“Now I’m embarrassed, I’m completely embarrassed and I haven’t spoken to anyone who doesn’t also feel that way.

“How did he completely change his mind and why?”

Mr Natoli met with the organisers of the Beach Matters group on Tuesday to discuss their concerns.

Mr Natoli’s campaign website stated he was “prepared to protect Division 4’s lifestyle and amenity” from the council’s plan to increase density and allow higher buildings at Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba.

The Beach Matters group gathered at the Alex Surf Club on Tuesday ahead of a meeting with councillor Joe Natoli. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Ms Natoli said she stands by her election promise that there would be no new high-rise development.

“This policy applies to only certain lots which are already able to have hotels, and allows them a few metres extra in height (3m-12m depending on location and configuration) and a relaxation in carparking, only if they build a four- or five-star hotel, and only for two years or less. Plus, we can end the incentive sooner if we wish,” Ms Natoli said.

Rosanna Natoli.

“I stand by my commitment to no new high-rise development. There are no new sites added to what is already in the planning scheme. These sites are in the scheme as multistorey development sites already.

“This incentive will encourage a vibrant, positive economic future for the Sunshine Coast, which includes jobs, new experiences and new accommodation options, all while respecting our plans for the future.”

Mr Natoli said he had previously opposed height increases on other council decisions, adding coastline sites identified in the TLPI were “unlikely” to be developed.

Division 4 Councillor Joe Natoli. Picture: File

“As I said, I am and still am opposed to the potential densification and increased heights from Maroochydore to Caloundra, the mass transit corridor,” Mr Natoli said.

“I have never said that (I) oppose a specific height increase, from time to time through planning scheme amendments there might be a building which is given a slight increase in height.

“To put it now in the context that I oppose any building height full stop is reading too much into what my opposition has been.

“My opposition has been specific toward large residential areas being impacted in the future with potential increasing in height and density.”

Mr Natoli said he was confident no hotel-developer would be able to build on the Esplanade in Mooloolaba.

“Height in specific areas which have already tall buildings is where you would logically support a slight increase.

“The CBD in a greenfield area is another where it makes sense to support higher building.

“I did challenge Beach Matters to tell me which site/s along the beach would potentially be built because of the approval of the TLPI. I am confident that apart from the already approved ARIA site there will be no other site on the Esplanade in Mooloolaba which will be able to meet the specific requirements and time frames.”