Sunshine Coast Council mayoral candidates on why you should vote for them

The Sunshine Coast’s mayor aspirants have made a final pitch to residents on why they should vote for them, as pre-polling opens across the region. Watch all of the mayoral candidates video pitches here.

The Sunshine Coast’s mayor aspirants have made a final pitch to residents on why they should vote for them ahead of Saturday’s election.

Here’s what they said.

Ashley Robinson OAM

Sunshine Coast mayoral candidate Ash Robinson OAM. Picture: Iwan Jones

G’day I’m Ashley Robinson, some people call me Tugboat, I’m an independent candidate for the mayoral election on March 16 for the Sunshine Coast.

Why should you vote for me? A lot of people have asked, why should I, why do I want to be mayor?

Well, you should vote for me because I’ve got real business experience, I’ve been managing other people’s money for the last 35 years successfully.

I’ve managed big teams of people and have always been successful.

I’ve always changed the culture wherever I have been. I’ve got a real connection with the community and sport on the Sunshine Coast.

I’m not a politician, I’m a community member. I got an OAM in 2016 for what I’ve done in the community, you can check my website for that.

Also I want to listen, and this council is not listening.

I promise if I’m there, I’ll go to every division and I’ll make sure that I hear what the residents want, rather than what the council wants. Ashley Robinson for mayor, March 16.

Michael Burgess

Sunshine Coast mayoral candidate Michael Burgess. Picture: Iwan Jones

G’day I’m Michael Burgess and I’m standing for mayor in 2024 for the Sunshine Coast.

Why I believe the Coast people should vote for me is that this has been an eight year journey for me observing what the coast needs and what it isn’t getting.

So essentially, I believe that we have to refocus our council from one that is very internal looking and considers what it wants into one that looks outwards and finds out what the coast needs and provides that within the capacity that it has to perform all the things that the coast does need.

I don’t make a lot of promises, I make a single promise that we need to stop borrowing, slash spending and turn the council back into one focused on the community.

Thank you, vote for Michael Burgess 1.

Min Swan

Sunshine Coast mayoral candidate Min Swan. Picture: Iwan Jones

Hi, I’m Min Swan mayoral candidate for the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.

And why have I put my hand up for this enormous role? Well, I have because I’m a local business owner, I’m a mother, I’m a community contributor and I’m a business leader that believes the mayor of the Sunshine Coast is a multi faceted role that needs just the right person to represent this incredible region over the next four, eight, 12 years.

We are in a time right now that we cannot afford to get wrong, we have a planning scheme review that will dictate how our future actually unfolds.

We have the 2032 games as a motivator to our state and federal government for the infrastructure that we have been sorely missing.

We have a billion dollar budget, a $450 million debt, and we need somebody with a business background and financial acumen.

And most of all, you need somebody who is a collaborator, a communicator and somebody who can bring this community together with a unified and powerful voice in a new era of leadership.

Rosanna Natoli

Sunshine Coast mayoral candidate Rosanna Natoli. Picture: Iwan Jones

Hello, I’m Rosanna Natoli and I am running for mayor of the Sunshine Coast.

I am passionate about this place we call home and I am committed to protecting it into the future.

The needs of all the people who are to come can’t be put ahead of the needs of the people who live here now. We need more infrastructure, infrastructure before development, we need better public transport so that we can travel north, south, east west, and perhaps it should be free for our seniors and also our students.

We also need to remember that cost of living is biting, we need to be mindful, housing is a major issue. I have a 10 point plan, it’s on my website, and also on my socials.

These are parts of my 10 point plan. So we need to consider housing, we need to reduce the costs of council, have a really good look, perhaps it needs a restructure.

And most importantly, we need to make sure that the Sunshine Coast is protected for generations to come. Vote one Rosanna Natoli for mayor.

Wayne Parcell PSM

Sunshine Coast mayoral candidate Wayne Parcell PSM. Picture: Iwan Jones

Hello, I’m Wayne Purcell, the Sunshine Coast Council mayoral candidate.

I believe I’m the best candidate for you for mayor, because I bring more than 40 years of experience to the job, and I can deliver change that matters to you.

Considering everyone in the Sunshine Coast region so that no one misses out, no region misses out, every community is seen and heard.

That’s what’s important to you, that’s what’s important to me.

Cr Jason O’Pray

Sunshine Coast mayoral candidate Cr Jason O’Pray. Picture: Iwan Jones

My vision for the Sunshine Coast is centred around preserving our unique lifestyle while embracing growth and modernisation.

I believe I am the best candidate for mayor because I am committed to protecting our beaches and green spaces, rejecting projects like the Sunshine Coast Light Rail that don’t fit our region, and promoting better public transport technologies.

I prioritise keeping our children active, especially with the upcoming 2032 Olympics, ensuring our economy continues to grow, and making our community more accessible.

My plans also include greening the coast, addressing housing affordability, modernising our infrastructure with a focus on electric vehicles, and bridging the divide between the Coast and the Hinterland.

My leadership is about building upon past successes to deliver a Sunshine Coast with a heart, where every resident has access to the best facilities, a strong economy, and a sustainable, inclusive future.