Former mayor throws his hat in the ring for Sunshine Coast

A former mayor and councillor will attempt a return to local government citing concerns about traffic, closed-door deal making and plans for paid parking

Division 4 candidate Joe Natoli (centre) with from left his daughter Ruby, wife Rosanna, son Roman and daughter Mia

A FORMER mayor and councillor has launched a bid to return to local government, saying people were aggravated by deal-making outcomes behind closed doors and the accelerated pace of development.

Former Maroochy Shire Mayor and councillor Joe Natoli has nominated to contest Division 4 at Sunshine Coast Council elections on March 28.

Former Maroochy Shire Mayor Joe Natoli bowed out of council politics in 2008, losing a contest to head the first Sunshine Coast amalgamated council to former Noosa mayor Bob Abbot (OAM).

The married father of three, who now works at Kunara Organic Marketplace in Forest Glen, said the first trigger for him to consider a return to local government had been Sunshine Coast Council's proposed Mooloolaba carpark redevelopment deal with Abacus.

Mr Natoli will contest Division 4 in a contest that already has drawn challengers, solicitor Julian Porter and events marketer Todd Forrest, to challenge sitting councillor John Connolly.

He said people had phoned him expressing a sense of hopelessness at the decision.

"I was glad when Abacus pulled out," Mr Natoli said.

He questioned the value in the $2.5 million the council had paid Abacus for intellectual property when it ultimately decided not to sell the full site.

Mr Natoli said despite a request from Division 10 councillor Greg Rogerson information about the deal had still to be fully released.

He has vowed to fight paid parking in Mooloolaba and elsewhere on the Sunshine Coast including Caloundra where he said the CBD was struggling with empty shops.

"Business in Mooloolaba relies on tourists and locals, the impact would be high," Mr Natoli said.

He has also lashed out at the council's decision to oppose more than 9000 submitters and the planning scheme to approve the Sekisui House development at Yaroomba.

Mr Natoli said he had been told the council's cost to fight ratepayers in the planning court when they appealed the decision had amounted to $1.2 million.

"I see people from all over the Coast who are upset," he said. "There are hot spots everywhere.

"Twelve years on and it's fired me right up. We need to bring back accountability that's been lost."

And he said light rail was not a solution to today's traffic problems.

Mr Natoli said plans for a multi-modal corridor had been ignored and upgrades to the Sunshine Motorway and a four-lane link from the south to a Mooloolah River interchange were better options.

"If I am elected, I will fight to have no paid parking in Mooloolaba and Maroochydore (or anywhere else) - certainly no casino," he said.

"I will further the arts, convention and exhibition centre in Maroochydore.

"I have significant experience and I will use my knowledge and strong voice to bring back common sense decision making, along with open and accountable governance."