Joe Natoli claims victory for blue chip council seat

Former Maroochy Shire Council mayor Joe Natoli has declared he has knocked off incumbent Division 4 councillor John Connolly by a narrow margin.

You Decide Election Forums logo.

UPDATE 8AM: Former Maroochy Shire Council mayor Joe Natoli has declared he has knocked off incumbent Division 4 councillor John Connolly by a narrow margin. 

After the champagne had been on ice for more than two weeks, Mr Natoli earned a well deserved cold one, claiming victory late last night after preferential vote counting. 

In a voicemail to this journalist, Mr Natoli said it had been a long day and that he won by 878 votes. 

"It's official. I look forward to serving you for the next four years in Division 4. Thank you for your support," Mr Natoli wrote on his Facebook page. 

"Thank you to everyone who came out to vote in difficult circumstances. Thank you to the other candidates - you ran excellent campaigns. 

"And finally, thank you to my amazing wife who ran my campaign." 

The Electoral Commission of Queensland is not expected to officially declare the results until mid-this week. 

 

EARLIER: AFTER two weeks of stalled vote counts, Sunshine Coast Council's new leaders could be announced by tonight.

The coronavirus pandemic has slowed counting to a crawl, and while the results are not official some division candidates are ready to celebrate.

Some divisions are already decided with Rick Baberowski, Peter Cox and Christian Dickson expected to retain seats.

At last count, Ted Hungerford remained odds on to retain Division 7 with a strong position over his challengers.

The other divisions went down to the wire and are too close to officially call.

Division 2

Terry Landsberg has a slender lead over candidate Brady Sullivan with preferences being counted this afternoon.

 

Council candidate Terry Landsberg set to challenge for Division 2. Photo Patrick Woods / Sunshine Coast Daily.

 

"We are still on tenterhooks," Mr Landsberg said.

"Hopefully we will have a result by the end of the day.

"It's been an interesting race. Obviously taken longer than usual."

Division 4

Former Maroochy Shire Council mayor Joe Natoli is likely to dethrone John Connolly for the blue-chip Division 4 seat with a result expected this afternoon.

 

Division 4 candidate Joe Natoli speaks at a Sunshine Coast Daily election forum in Maroochydore.

 

Mr Natoli said two candidates - Faith Hambrecht and Mark Wadeson - had been eliminated.

"It's highly unlikely I will lose but it's not official," he said.

"The champagne will be very chilled by the time it is."

Mr Connolly said on March 31 that he was "dusted" and it had been a "disappointing" wait.

"It won't be officially declared until Wednesday I'd say, that's what we were told," Mr Connolly said.

"There's a number of seats not decided where preferences will play the part.

"Divisions 5, 9 and 10 will be very interesting."

Ms Hambrecht, who had her campaign interrupted by illness, said it was "awesome" to see Mr Natoli's numbers after the first count.

"For those in Division 4, you will be in good hand with Joe. Behind the scenes he was genuine and sincere and it was a pleasure to meet and speak with him," she wrote on her Facebook page.

Divisions 5 

The Daily will bring the latest results when they're on hand but Winston Johnston remains in the lead.

Division 8

Jason O'Pray is understood to have retained his seat after preferential voting had been counted.

 

Division 8 candidates Jason O'Pray and Kathryn Hyman at Sunshine Coast Daily election forum.

 

In a two-horse race Mr O'Pray, the current tourism and events councillor, said he had bested his only candidate Kathryn Hyman.

While the result is not officially declared, Mr O'Pray said he was on the cusp of celebrations.

"We found out on Thursday we'd won, but it's not officially declared yet," Mr O'Pray said.

He said the wait had been painful but understood why given the current coronavirus climate.

Mrs Hyman conceded defeat on her social media channel.

"Results are in and I just couldn't catch my opponent after his run at one of the booths," she wrote.

"It's been nose to nose and simply stayed that way at each count and I fought to the end.

"It's been an extraordinary election and a climate not seen into his country for 100 years. And I was already the underdog.

"I'm so proud of the effort and I'm so very grateful for the votes, support, practical help and for the love of my family and friends who have helped me back myself."

Divisions 9 and 10 are still neck and neck.

Read: Tight battles to decide.

Originally published as