Sunshine Coast local businesswoman Min Swan running for Mayor

A Sunshine Coast businesswoman has made an unexpected announcement she is throwing her hat in the ring in the contest for mayor next year. Read her pitch to voters.

A Sunshine Coast businesswoman is throwing her hat in the ring in the contest for Sunshine Coast’s mayor next year – saying her strengths are business experience and local knowledge.

Mountain Creek woman Min Swan launched her local government election campaign on Wednesday, December 20.

Known for her local events co-ordination business, White House International, Ms Swan was the second female to confirm their candidacy for Sunshine Coast mayor – following Rosanna Natoli.

“It’s not natural for a female to put themselves out there, we have all sorts of ideas about not being good enough,” she said.

“I think if I can do this, and I know I can do this, and I know I’m the right person to do this, then others coming behind will also step up when their community needs them.”

Originally from regional Victoria, Ms Swan moved to the Sunshine Coast when she was 16, but has lived in Brisbane and Sydney since, then returned to Little Mountain in 2010.

Ms Swan is the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network president and executive support and strategic planner for a variety of chambers of commerce and industry groups.

“While this wasn’t originally my plan I have chosen to step up,” she said.

“I am absolutely the best person to lead you in the next chapter.

“I’m putting my hat in the ring and I’m stepping into the circle because I have the balance of business, I have a strategic planning background, but more than that I care.

“I care genuinely and to the core and will not give up on the Sunshine Coast.”

Min Swan running for Sunshine Coast Mayor. Picture – Madeline Grace.

With the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic events and massive population growth predicted, Ms Swan said the Sunshine Coast was about to be on the world stage.

“We cannot go backwards. We have to accept that people are coming her and accept our population is skyrocketing,” she said.

“I understand what the business community needs.

“I have the ability to work on the budgets, on the financial things and the strategy. But equally I want to care and I want to activate and I want to leverage every single person that sits in that building (council) and actually bring them to life.

“Being able to manage a company or an organisation is important – which is basically what the council is.

“My strategic planning background absolutely would be an asset to that.”

No councillors attended Ms Swan’s media announcement, when asked if she had any of their support she said “no”.

“I won’t even seek that,” Ms Swan said

“I will stand on my own two feet. I have a strength of character that I don’t feel I need that.

“If they do support me all I actually care about is that on March 16 they put a one beside my name.”

When asked what she would do first if elected as mayor, Ms Swan said she would find out what the Sunshine Coast needs.

“In January I’ll be out and I’ll be listening and I’ll be understanding the whole of the Sunshine Coast community,” she said.

“To try and work towards one voice for the regions so we can be really powerful when we’re actually going onto the world stage to ask for what we need as a region.”