Sunshine Coast Council 2024 election, meet the division candidates
The Sunshine Coast Council 2024 election candidates have given their final pitches as to why residents should vote for them. Read them here.
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The Sunshine Coast Council election race is heating up, with all candidates in campaign mode as pre-poll voting begins this week from March 4.
The Sunshine Coast Daily asked all division candidates to enter an 80-word submission on why residents should vote for them.
Below, in no particular order, are their responses with some edited.
Division 1
Stan Nawrocki
As an aspiring Sunshine Coast councillor, I bring a deep commitment to community engagement and sustainable development.
With a background in grassroots activism and a passion for transparent governance, I prioritise the voices of residents in decision-making processes.
My vision encompasses fostering inclusive growth while preserving our natural heritage.
By voting for me, constituents are choosing a dedicated advocate who will work tirelessly to ensure a brighter, more equitable future for all residents of the Sunshine Coast.
Kristy Taylor-Rose
I have a passion for public service, a positive can-do attitude, a friendly and strong community-focused approach.
This makes me a strong candidate for the position of councillor in Division 1.
I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure each community in my division prospers.
With me being councillor, the community can expect a dedicated advocate who will listen to your needs, fight for your interests, and to find solutions and work together.
Division 2
Cr Terry Landsberg
I’ve been part of the Sunshine Coast community for over three decades – and I have contributed as a small business owner, volunteer, family man and most recently as the Division 2 councillor for the past four years.
As owner of Kawana Automatics for over 20 years, I understand that small business is critical to our economy, as a long-term volunteer of the WindanSea Boardriders and Rosies on the Street (supporting our homeless people) I have a proven longstanding commitment to volunteering.
Michael Foreman
If elected, I am confident in my ability to provide the Division 2 community with four years or more of consistent, high-quality commitment.
My focus lies in assisting individuals, accomplishing tasks, and delivering tangible results.
With a genuine affinity for people, I will actively advocate for the community’s needs and interests.
It is important to me that all residents are familiar with their local councillor and have a direct line of communication for council matters.
Cindy Jensen
Armed with three decades of professional experience and a proven reputation for fostering positive change, I’m determined to dismantle the longstanding voting bloc that’s hindered our community.
I will continue to champion a thorough investigation into the $450M debt, misuse of power and public asset sell-offs.
It’s time for internal change, genuine community consultation and restoring the core basics.
Vote 1 for integrity, transparency and a resilient advocate for putting people first.
Division 3
Alister Eiseman
I bring a unique blend of business acumen and community leadership to the table.
As president of the Kawana Chamber of Commerce and a board member of local charities and schools, I understand the needs of our community first-hand.
I’m committed to rolling up my sleeves and working tirelessly to advocate for infrastructure, public transport and essential services.
I have held many public listening posts and doorknocked over the past eight weeks and I am committed to returning council to basics.
Kym Willing
I have the necessary skillset, knowledge, experience and background to foster transparency and cost effectiveness in Council.
I will work to return Council strictly to core services:-Roads, Rates, Rubbish, Recreation, debt & deficit reforms, defund non-core activities covered by other levels of governments preserve the area’s natural amenity and beauty.
I’m self-funded, a retired accountant with 45 years Federal and State public service, expertise in Financial, Management and Tax accounting, skilled researcher, business process innovator.
Division 4
Mark Gilbert
I was motivated to run when the council removed the off leash areas for dogs at Point Cartwright, ignoring 73 per cent of respondents to their community consultation.
No matter what the issue, community consultation needs to be taken as direction to the council and not ignored.
I am hearing it’s time for a change. A vote for me will mean you will be listened to and will have someone with integrity, aptitude, common sense and fresh ideas aligned with the community.
Mark Wadeson
Last box on vote card, put a 1 to vote correctly!
Division 4 just needs a break for four years on high-medium rise building.
No rail, no paid parking to help business.
Who else can you vote for?
Your best option Mark Wadeson
Division 5
Richard Bruinsma
The community needs someone who listens, is experienced, approachable, dedicated and sensible.
I have an ideal mix of professional and personal experience, combined with long professional, residential and social connection to Division 5 that make me perfectly suited to represent people in council.
My life and career have given me the ability to understand community and individual need, skills to navigate the bureaucratic rules of government, and to push forward with energy to promote important initiatives that achieve positive outcomes.
Tracy Burton
Having lived in the hinterland for 15 years, I have a strong connection and genuine passion for the future of our community.
My experience as a teacher, nurse and now community services worker has given me a unique perspective and drive to make a positive impact.
After narrowly missing out on victory four years ago, I am even more determined to use my energy and commitment to bring positive change and become your next councillor for Division 5.
Division 6
Cr Christian Dickson
While Cr Christian Dickson has been elected unopposed to Sunshine Coast Council, he offeredwhat he plans to deliver in his next term.
The Sunshine Coast needs a council that genuinely cares about people, together with councillors that lead with heart.
We have an opportunity to get back to the basics and prioritise a high level of service to locals.
With population growth pressures, it is time to push back on the Queensland State Government and ensure infrastructure like the Mooloolah River Interchange, heavy rail and local bus networks are up and running to support our current population.
The community needs councillors who will turn up and fight for our people.
Division 7
Deborah Moseley, Greens
We face unprecedented growth.
Let’s conserve the beaches and natural environment, while densifying Nambour and established towns that have transport, education and services.
No coastal high-rise.
Planning must protect the region from the impossible costs of climate change and do more to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage in the face of development.
A future with smart transport using micro e-buses will be a huge asset for everyone.
Let’s conserve our valuable assets and create a visionary future.
Ken Mackenzie
Ken and his wife Joanne have spent more than 20 years enjoying life on the Sunshine Coast.
Ken has worked in a number of South East Queensland local governments for 35 years, and has received international recognition for his work on community consultation and planning, and national recognition for a range of sustainability initiatives.
Ken is passionate about the Sunshine Coast community, and with his experience and qualifications, he doesn’t want the Sunshine Coast to turn into another Gold Coast.
Sue Woodbury, Animal Justice Party
Believing in challenging the norms, embracing innovation, and confronting uncomfortable truths to tackle issues like homelessness, transport, habitat loss, and animal welfare, I seek your number one vote.
Recognising the link between animal and human cruelty, I advocate for their interconnected needs in governance.
Committed to enhancing community involvement, I oppose vested interests controlling council decisions.
As a proud Animal Justice Party candidate on the Sunshine Coast, I uphold values of kindness, equality, rationality and nonviolence.
Cr Ted Hungerford
With 20 years’ experience as Councillor and as a fourth generation local, Division 7 is my home.
I am the Councillor for the portfolios of Governance and Finance.
SCRC has the highest financial rating awarded by Queensland Treasury after annual rigorous forensic audits.
With a billion-dollar annual budget, if re-elected I intend to again put my hand up to manage the Finance portfolio to ensure we get value for every dollar and keep our rate charges to CPI or below.
Division 8
Kathryn Hyman
As a committee member of the peak ratepayer association over eight years I have been given an education in local government governance and process.
I’m interested in public purse expenditure.
I have analysed many flood/groundwater models and traffic reports.
I have an interest in coastal management and have organised industry conferences and insurance law reform seminars of importance to residents of our low-lying drainage-deficient vulnerable coastal communities.
More work needs to be done to protect and defend our assets.
Taylor Bunnag
Taylor Bunnag is an experienced lawyer who was born and raised on the Sunshine Coast.
He is 32-years-old and lives in Yaroomba. He sits on the Queensland Work Health and Safety Board and was an Associate at a large national law firm, Maurice Blackburn.
Taylor’s priorities include preserving the character of the region, a focus on service delivery such as a kerbside clean-up, better public transport and continued investment in local infrastructure such as footpaths and recreation spaces.
Walter Johnson
Marcoola has always been home for me and my family now spread out between Yaroomba to Twin Waters.
Personally, I enjoy running, surfing, soccer and golf, for both fitness and a social perspective.
Motivation to run for council comes from my love of living here and desire to preserve these values.
I truly believe we live in one of the most beautiful areas in the world.
The local community and council have done a great job preserving our area, while ensuring we have prospered.
I want to continue this trend and work with everyone to find out what works and what needs improving.
The next decade will see increased pressure to accommodate growth on the Sunshine Coast.
My intention is to ensure we protect the character and quality of the life we currently share right here.
Division 9
Cr Maria Suarez
As a long-time resident of Division 9, it has been an honour to represent the community that I love.
Over the past four years, I’ve been fortunate to meet many people and listen to their issues and diverse points of view.
Working for the benefit of our community, environment and economy is an opportunity not to be wasted.
I have the skills, the knowledge and the work ethic to continue to deliver on what matters to you.
Bruce Dunne
My aim is to make sure that every decision that comes from council will be in your better interest.
With my experience inside council and on the outside, I can say from what I’ve seen over recent years, that you, the residents deserve more from council.
That is why I’m running.
I believe I have the knowledge, experience and energy to give you a stronger representation in council and bring a commonsense approach to all of council’s processes.
Dr Suzie Campin
I will start the job running as a scientist, town planner and with experience in all government levels, charities and my own businesses. With me, Division 9 residents will have a strong voice no longer forgotten. 2024 is a critical year.
We need a transparent and ethical Council that listens and responds quickly, roads and public transport that finally work, a new visionary planning scheme, lower rates and affordable housing.
Threats to our coastline and green spaces must be stopped.
Tim Ryan
I have lived on the coast since 1966 and after graduating senior I worked for Maroochy Shire Council for 13-plus years.
On my retirement speech I promised to rid Maroochy shire of parking meters and tolls and successfully kept my promise.
While working beside the health department who collected the rubbish bins I saw a need to start yellow recycling bins to help reduce waste filling up our tips.
I have joined service clubs Apex, Rotaract and the Lions Club.
Division 10
Cr David Law
I work hard, inspire positive change, genuinely care about the communities of Nambour and Division 10.
I belong to this place and have helped bring about real improvements over the past four years.
Nambour’s entertainment sector is taking off; I’ve been guiding this process and want to continue.
I’ve built strong relationships with migrants, First Nations, business leaders, artists, musicians, the very wealthy and the rough sleepers. I really am ‘here for good’, fully independent with no conflicts of interest.
Sue Etheridge, Greens
It’s time for a shake-up.
Like most locals, I feel shut out of local government decisions, and I am fed up with seeing the impact of poor development.
Our community needs to be heard and our voices respected.
I’m standing this election to bring transparency, trust and integrity to our council.
I am a small business owner and have extensive experience in banking, finance, accounting and business management, along with management committee and finance roles in community and not-for-profit organisations.
Camillo Primavera
The issues I will be standing for when elected include: bring unity back into the community; time for change, let’s make it happen together; candidate of the people, serving the interests of the people; accountability for the impacts of state government policies on our region; homelessness as a humanitarian crisis, we need viable solutions now; youth crime and community values; escalating rates, fees and charges, and keeping control of expenditure; re-examine the 15 minutes cities agenda (Sunshine Coast smart city framework)
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