Sunshine Coast Council election results firming up in race to the finish line
The likely winners and losers of this year’s Sunshine Coast Council election are beginning to take shape as the final counts are tallied, with two divisions battling to the end. CHECK OUT THE DIVISION COUNTS
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The finish line is near for the Sunshine Coast Council election as some likely winners and grinners begin to finalise.
Sunshine Coast mayoral hopeful Rosanna Natoli is among the many mayors across Queensland still waiting to declare victory.
She posted an update on social media saying she hoped to know more next week.
“On Tuesday, the Returning Officer will pick up the last postal votes, and they will be counted and added to the Unofficial Primary Count. After that they will begin distributing preferences,’’ Mrs Natoli said.
“It is estimated that about 20 per cent to 25 per cent of voters will have allocated a preference, remembering that only if the voter has actually put a number ‘2’ in the square does the preference get allocated.
“If voters have just voted ‘1’, that vote is exhausted.
In her case, she said there were potentially around 20,000 preferences to be allocated.
Mrs Natoli is just 6000 voters ahead of rival Ashley Robinson, so he would have to get a far bigger proportion of the preferences to overtake Mrs Natoli.
Moving through the divisions starting in one, Jenny Broderick leads with 10,000 plus votes (54.83 per cent) with a lengthy lead from her nearest challenger Kristy Taylor-Rose on 7262 votes (34.72 per cent).
In division two Terry Landsberg has a hefty lead on 9314 votes (55.34 per cent), along with Tim Burns in division three on more than 10,000 votes (54.97 per cent).
Joe Natoli looks to retain his seat in division four on 8610 votes (51.36 per cent), with his nearest competition John Connolly on 4579 votes (27.32 per cent).
A tighter race is emerging in division five with Winston Johnston ahead of Tracy Burton on 7301 votes (37.23 per cent) compared to 6994 votes (35.67 per cent).
Division six is uncontested, while Ted Hungerford amassed more than 11,797 votes (58.93 per cent) in division seven, ahead of his nearest challenger Ken Mackenzie on 3850 votes (19.23 per cent).
Taylor Bunnag is leading the pack in division eight on 8784 votes (45.68 per cent), along with Maria Suarez in division nine on 9880 votes (52.64 per cent).
The tightest race of them all appears to be in division 10, with Peter Walsh holding a slim lead with 6640 votes (35.34 per cent) over David Law on 6489 votes (34.54 per cent), with 94.57 per cent of votes counted.
TV presenter leads
Sunshine Coast television personality Rosanna Natoli looks likely to be the first female mayor for the super sized Sunshine Coast council, following in the footsteps of former Maroochy mayor Alison Grosse.
Ms Natoli has extended her lead in the battle while her husband Joe has secured more than 50 per cent of the vote in his division.
Ms Natoli is leading popular community stalwart Ashley ‘Tugboat’ Robinson while Jason O’Pray has moved into third position on a much larger vote count.
As of 9am on Monday, Ms Natoli, a Seven Local News presenter, had secured more than 54,000 votes (27.31 per cent), while Mr Robinson had more than 48,000 votes (24.51 per cent).
Mr O’Pray, a councillor of 12 years experience, had more than 42,000 votes (21.65 per cent), while businesswoman Min Swan was on more than 32,000 votes or almost 16.5 per cent.
Hinterland candidate Wayne Parcell has more than 12,000 votes (6.42 per cent) while Michael Burgess, who ran a low-profile social media only campaign, was on 3.86 per cent with 7600 plus votes.
What can we expect if Rosanna Natoli becomes the next mayor?
Preferences will be crucial in the battle with Ms Natoli and Mr Robinson urging their votes to give their second preference to each other.
While her nearest challenger Ashley Robinson hasn’t conceded, he admitted that Mrs Natoli is likely to get over the line.
“I’m just going to leave it until they declare it, but it looks like she may get up for a result,” Mr Robinson said.
At Noosa with over 78 per cent of the vote counted, Frank Wilkie continues to lead the poll for mayor with over 13,000 votes (40.07 per cent), ahead of former councillor Ingrid Jackson who has collected over 7600 votes (23.45 per cent).
River advocate Nick Hluszko has just over 6900 votes (21.04 per cent), while gym owner John Morrall has collected a tick over 5000 votes (15.44 per cent).
‘I’ve never seen someone so relentless’
“I’ve never seen someone so relentless as her and she was impressive the way she handled her campaign.”
Mrs Natoli ran a huge listening tour right across the Sunshine Coast with very strong results in the hinterland.
On Sunday, the potential mayor in waiting spent the day recouping with family, posting: “Thank you for your texts, emails and calls!!! While I am currently ahead by a few thousand votes, we need to wait until preferences are allocated – to be sure!
“Who knows what tomorrow will bring?”
Bonnie Scorey responded to say she was inspired by the incredible campaign she ran.
“Your dedication, perseverance, and commitment to listening to the community truly set you apart.
“You ran a tireless campaign, showing true leadership and inspiring women along the way. Your listening tour around the Sunshine Coast demonstrated your deep care for the community’s voices. You should be incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved, and I’m rooting for your success.”
Councillor identities firming for Sunshine Coast, Noosa
The new looks of the Sunshine Coast Council and Noosa Shire Council are starting to take shape, with several fresh faces in the mix to secure a position, while there could be some upsets on the cards.
As of 9am on Monday and starting with Divison 1 for Sunshine Coast Council, Jenny Broderick leads the tally with over 10,500 votes (54.79 per cent), ahead of Kristy Taylor-Rose with over 7100 votes.
In Divison 2, the incumbent Terry Landsberg is looking likely to retain his role polling over 9900 votes (55.83 per cent), with his nearest challenger Michael Foreman tallying just over 4000 votes (22.69 per cent).
In Division 3, experienced community development officer and team leader at Sunshine Coast Council Tim Burns is looking likely to become a councillor collecting over 10,300 votes, with his nearest contender Alister Eiseman collecting over 5900 votes (31.80 per cent).
Joe Natoli is looking likely to join his wife mayoral candidate Rosanna Natoli on council collecting over 8300 votes (51.43 per cent) in Division 4, with his nearest contender former councillor and Wallabies coach John Connolly scoring over 4400 votes (27.34 per cent).
It is a close race in Division 5, with less than 10 votes separating incumbent councillor Winston Johnston, who has 5184 votes (36.83 per cent) and Greens candidate Tracy Burton with 5178 votes (36.79 per cent).
Cr Christian Dickson retained his Division 6 seat unopposed, while in Division 7 Ted Hungerford holds a commanding lead with over 9800 votes (59.47 per cent), with his nearest contender Ken Mackenzie collecting just over 3100 votes (18.75 per cent).
Taylor Bunnag holds a strong lead in Division 8, with over 6700 votes (46.25 per cent), with the nearest candidate Kathryn Hyman collecting over 4500 votes (31.18 per cent).
Current councillor Maria Suarez is leading the poll in Division 9 with over 9700 votes (53.06 per cent), while in Division 10 less than 100 votes separate Peter Walsh, who has 6499 votes (35.29 per cent) and current representative David Law with 6396 votes (34.73 per cent).
At Noosa, the race for the six councillor seats is much closer with Nicola Wilson leading the way with 4612 votes (9.19 per cent), ahead of current representative Tom Wegener with 4423 votes (8.81 per cent).
Current councillor Amelia Lorentson is next with 4320 votes (8.61 per cent), ahead of fellow incumbent Brian Stockwell with 4268 votes (8.50 per cent).
Jess Phillips, who would be a new face on council, follows with 4132 votes (8.23 per cent), while Karen Finzel is a chance of retaining a seat with 4110 votes (8.19 per cent).
Current councillor Joe Jurisevic faces a fight to retain a seat on council with 3858 votes (7.68 per cent), with Leigh McCready the next in the order with 3834 votes (7.64 per cent).
Likely result looming, despite preferences to come
As of 3pm on Sunday, Mrs Natoli is racing ahead in the poll to become mayor of the Sunshine Coast Council and could possibly become the first female mayor of the region.
While Mrs Natoli is waiting to see the impact preferences might play, she told the Sunshine Coast Daily it is a nice position for her to be in.
“I’m certainly very pleased, it’s nice to be in the lead and holding that rather than trying to claw ahead,” Mrs Natoli said.
“There is still a long way to go and while I’m hopeful, I’m still waiting and quite nervous about that.”
In Noosa, Frank Wilkie is firming as the favourite for the top job, as he leads the count with 39.46 per cent of the vote, ahead of former councillor Ingrid Jackson on 24.39 per cent.
While it is too early to call, Mr Wilkie is “hopeful” of a good result.
“I am feeling hopeful and grateful for the support given and am hopeful for a good result, once the final pre-polling votes are counted and preferences distributed,” he said.
ECQ addresses election result count at Sunshine Coast, Noosa
The Electoral Commission of Queensland has defended its election count after a former Caloundra City councillor blasted the slow results on Saturday night.
Andrew Champion said the “electoral commission has disgraced itself,” with the delivery of results, as several polling booths across the region ran out of ballot papers.
In a statement, an ECQ spokeswoman said that the counting of unofficial and preliminary counts will take place, prior to the official count recommencing.
“Counting in the 2024 local government elections recommenced this morning across the state from 9am,” the spokeswoman said.
“Today we will continue with the unofficial or preliminary counts, and we will commence the official count, with all ballots being counted again, once preliminary counts are finalised.
“In the Noosa local government area, the first-past-the-post voting method is used which when counting is a resource intensive process.
“In agreement with the Noosa Shire Council, the ECQ commenced some counting last night, and our website reflects that.
“The remainder of those large counts commenced this morning at 9am.
“This enables the ECQ to manage the complexity of the large counts in a single controlled environment with scrutineers present.
“In the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, preliminary counts from polling booths are complete and our staff commenced official counts at 9am, and the website will be updated to reflect this as the day progresses.”
‘We need a woman in the mayoral seat’
It has been revealed that there was a strong level of support for a female mayor for the Sunshine Coast on election day.
Current poll leader Rosanna Natoli received feedback from voters who wanted to see a woman take the top job.
“I had voters coming up to me and say ‘we need a woman’,” Mrs Natoli said.
“There was a really strong feeling for a different style of leadership.”
“The voters really wanted to see change, that was very obvious,” she said.
“They were very supportive of a female mayor which you can see from the results.
“Even my own results supported the fact they were keen on a female in the mayoral seat.”
New make up of Sunshine Coast Council taking shape
As we wake up on Sunday morning, the make up of the new council is starting to take shape as more division votes have started to roll in from across the Sunshine Coast.
In Division 1 where a new councillor will be elected following the retirement of Rick Baberowski, Jenny Broderick leads the count with 56.04 per cent of the vote, ahead of Kristy Taylor-Rise with 36.07 per cent of the vote, with Stan Nawrocki currently polling 7.88 per cent of the vote.
In Division 2, the incumbent representative Terry Landsberg holds a commanding lead with 56.20 per cent of the vote, with his nearest contender Michael Foreman collecting 22.08 per cent of the vote, ahead of Cindy Jensen with 13.43 per cent of the vote and Animal Justice Party candidate Pamela Mariko with 8.29 per cent of the vote.
In Division 3 Tim Burns, who has worked in community services for more than 20 years, including leading the Community Development team at the council, looks set to become the new councillor after the retirement of Peter Cox.
In Division 4, Joe Natoli incurred the wrath of dog lovers for supporting tighter restrictions at Pt Cartwright but is leading with more than 50 per cent of the vote with former Wallabies coach John Connolly on 26.57 per cent.
Mark Gilbert, who campaigned on overturning the ban on dogs on beaches on weekends and new on lead restrictions, had 18.29 per cent of the vote, while Mark Wadeson had 4.76 per cent. About 40 per cent of the vote had been counted.
The count in the hinterland electorate of Division 5 is led by Greens candidate Tracy Burton with 37.99 per cent of the vote, ahead of incumbent representative Winston Johnston with 36.49 per cent of the vote, while Richard Bruinsma has 25.52 per cent of the vote.
Division 6 candidate Cr Christian Dickson was elected unopposed, while in Division 7 Ted Hungerford leads the way with 58.94 per cent of the vote, with his nearest contender Ken Mackenzie collecting 19.10 per cent of the vote.
In Division 8, pro dog candidate Taylor Bunnag is well ahead with 46.8 per cent of the vote while Kathryn Hyman has 30.68 per cent.
In Division 9, current representative Maria Suarez leads the count with 46.56 per cent of the vote, with her fellow contenders Suzie Campin and Bruce Dunne neck-to-neck with just over 26 per cent of the vote, while in Division 10, Peter Walsh has the narrowest of leads over incumbent David Law.
Frank Wilkie leads Noosa mayoral race, as councillor votes start to roll in
In Noosa, former Noosa News journalist and current councillor Frank Wilkie looks set to become the next mayor with 5773 votes (38.74 per cent) ahead of Ingrid Jackson on 3624 votes or just over 24 per cent. The votes of more than 36 per cent of the 44,127 enrolled had been counted.
In the race for the six councillor seats on Noosa Shire Council with 4.54 per cent of the votes counted, incumbent councillor Tom Wegener leads the way with 9.59 per cent of the vote, ahead of fellow current representative Joe Jurisevic with 9.35 per cent of the vote.
Nicola Wilson who would be a new face on council is currently third with 9.19 per cent of the vote, ahead of current representatives Brian Stockwell with 8.96 per cent of the vote, and Amelia Lorentson with 8.48 per cent of the vote.
Currently Jess Phillips, who would also be a new face on council, is in sixth, with 9.19 per cent of the vote.
Supporters gather around frontrunners
As the Sunshine Coast election race continues, the two frontrunners have spoken about the contest to become the next mayor while a former councillor takes aim at the pace of the count.
Rosanna Natoli, surrounded by supporters at the Buderim Wanderers Football Club, said the race for mayor was close.
“I’m very nervous at the moment because we’re going up and down, I’ve still got a lead, but it’s you know very close,” Mrs Natoli said.
“I’m just ahead, but it’s very nerve-racking and I am just waiting to see booth by booth.
“If it’s this close, we’ll be waiting for all those votes to come in.”
Ashley Robinson, speaking surrounded by supporters at The Sands Tavern in Maroochydore, said he was “in the game” in the race to become mayor of the Sunshine Coast.
“It has been a pretty good start, it’s pretty good,” Mr Robinson said.
“A small amount of the vote has been counted, but you know, at least I guess I feel like I’m in the game.
“I gotta say, it’s been a pretty good start, I have been trying to bring some reality into the whole mayoral race.”
Meanwhile, former Caloundra City councillor Andrew Champion blasted the slow results on Saturday night.
“The electoral commission has disgraced itself,‘’ Mr Champion said.
“At 9.30pm just 6.7 per cent of 261,000 votes counted. Other council figures are around 50 per cent.
“Disgraceful logistic stuff up … No updates for an hour.
“Have they gone to bed?
“Just 16,404 formal votes counted and unofficially reported.
“No large coastal booths reported by returning officers.”
TV personality edges ahead
Sunshine Coast television personality, Mrs Natoli has taken an early lead in the race to become the next mayor.
But she’s facing a close battle with popular community stalwart Mr Robinson who is only a few hundred votes behind with almost 6 per cent of the votes counted.
Ms Natoli, a Seven News presenter and wife of sitting councillor Joe Natoli, had more than 4300 votes – or just over 26 per cent of the vote while Mr Robinson had more than 4132 votes or 25 per cent.
Jason O’Pray, a councillor of 12 years experience, had 18.5 per cent of the vote while businesswoman Minn Swan was on more than 2800 votes or just over 17 per cent.
Hinterland candidate Wayne Parcell was on 8.2 per cent of the vote while Michael Burgess, who ran a very low profile social media only campaign was on 4.32 per cent.
Neck-and-neck as more votes counted
Mrs Natoli has stretched out her advantage in the race for mayor, polling 25.57 per cent of the vote (2909 votes), ahead of Mr Robinson with 24.27 per cent of the vote.
The pair swapped preferences, which incumbent Mayor Mark Jamieson said was “curious” given what he thought was the pair’s differing political beliefs.
The outgoing mayor also said it would create “some challenges” if a husband and wife team, Mr and Mrs Natoli, would sit on the same council.
Mr O’Pray is in third with 19.44 per cent of the vote (2212 votes).
Next is Ms Swan with 17.80 per cent of the vote (2025 votes), ahead of Mr Parcell with 8.73 per cent of the vote (1065 votes), and Mr Burgess with 4.16 per cent of the vote (496 votes).
Meanwhile, Noosa mayoral candidate Frank Wilkie said his position in the tally count was positive.
“Preferences have yet to be allocated, but we’re off to a really solid start, which we’re very grateful for,” he said.
“I’m feeling optimistic, we just want to see how the preferences go, but it looks like most electors have voted one exclusively.”
Sunshine Coast count like splitting hairs
There are three votes between Sunshine Coast frontrunners Mrs Natoli, who has edged into the lead of the mayoral race with 26.47 per cent of the vote (1893 votes), ahead of Mr Robinson with 26.43 per cent of the vote (1890).
In this close race, Mr O’Pray is in third with 18.51 per cent of the vote (1324), Ms Swan has 16.84 per cent of the vote (1204), Mr Parcell with 7.68 per cent of the vote, and Mr Burgess’s social media strategy has so far failed to fire with 4.07 per cent of the vote (291).
Next Sunshine Coast, Noosa tally
In Noosa, Mr Wilkie maintains command of the count with 45.83 per cent of the vote (1964 votes), ahead of Ms Jackson with 24.01 per cent of the vote (1029 votes), Mr Hluszko with 17.04 per cent of the vote (730 votes), and Mr Morrall with 13.12 per cent of the vote (562 votes).
Another booth in for the Sunshine Coast and Mr Robinson has edged into the lead of the mayoral race with 28.30 per cent of the vote (692 votes), ahead of Mrs Natoli with 26.42 per cent of the vote (646 votes), Mr O’Pray with 17.26 per cent of the vote (422 votes), Ms Swan with 14.03 per cent of the vote (343 votes), Mr Parcell with 9.37 per cent of the vote (229 votes), and Mr Burgess with 4.62 per cent of the vote (113 votes).
First votes counted
As the early votes roll in, the early frontrunners for mayor on the Sunshine Coast and Noosa have been revealed.
On the Sunshine Coast, Mrs Natoli is currently leading the race with 26.32 per cent of the vote (502 votes), ahead of Mr Robinson with 25.80 per cent of the vote (492 votes), Mr O’Pray with 19.19 per cent of the vote (366 votes), Ms Swan with 15.42 per cent of the vote (294 votes), Mr Parcell with 8.91 per cent of the vote (170 votes), and Mr Burgess with 4.35 per cent of the vote (83 votes).
In Noosa, 9.81 per cent of the unofficial preliminary count has come in, with Mr Wilkie well ahead with more than 1900 votes, or 46.39 per cent.
In second place at this early stage is former Noosa councillor Ms Jackson with 23.95 per cent or 982 votes.
Third is Mr Hluszko and fourth Mr Morrall.
Anger, frustration as vote closes
Buddina resident and election volunteer Brent Hall said that voters at the polling booth at Siena Catholic College were told by the Electoral Commission of Queensland representatives they had run out of ballot papers.
“As at around 5.40pm, we were told by the Electoral Commission that they had run out of ballot papers,” Mr Hall said.
Mr Hall said that people in the line were angry and frustrated.
Sunshine Coast mayoral candidate Rosanna Natoli, who was at a Baringa polling booth, said there were people waiting up to an hour to vote as reports of several polling booths running out of ballot papers started to filter through.
More here: ‘No opportunity to vote’: Anger as booths run out of ballot papers
An exit poll of 27 voters across booths at Caloundra and Maroochydore had Jason O’Pray emerge as an early frontrunner with eight votes, ahead of Rosanna Natoli and Min Swan on six votes, Ashley Robinson on four votes and Wayne Parcell on three votes.
The polling booths close at 6pm.
‘Line’s just too long’
Two Mooloolaba residents Natty and Andy Taylor have waited more than 40 minutes to vote between two trips to the polling booth to cast their votes for the Sunshine Coast Council election.
“It’s frustrating, we came this morning and it was just relentlessly busy so we left,” Mrs Taylor said.
“The lines were just too long, because we had to go and do some things, so we came back thinking it would be quieter in the afternoon, it’s not.
“I just want to walk away and not do it, but I feel the need to do the right thing.”
Mr Taylor said he was considering leaving and not voting.
“It is pretty ridiculous, I might just go home and cop the fine,” Mr Taylor said.
“I’ve never ever waited this long to vote.”
Voting under way
Mooloolaba residents Brigitte and Tony Boyd are casting a vote in the Sunshine Coast Council election for Ashley Robinson as mayor.
“We are supporting (Mr) Robinson for mayor,” Mrs Boyd said.
“He is a good candidate, I think he’ll be wonderful as mayor.
“He’s definitely someone that we align with and he is definitely one for the people.”
Mayoral candidate Ashley Robinson was spotted at the Caloundra poll, where said he believes the result will be pretty close.
“I’ve voted at Eudlo because that’s where I’m from originally, I thought it would be good thing to do,” Mr Robinson said.
“I’ve been out to Aura, there’s a massive amount of people over there.
“It’s hard to say what’s going to happen, it’s looking like it’s going to be pretty close to me.
“You can see the finish line, so one way or the other come next week, I’m either going to be really relaxed and have plenty of time to walk my dog or I’m gonna be really busy.
“So to me, it’s a win-win either way, no matter what happens.”
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace MP was spotted handing out pamphlets for Cr Terry Landsberg at Caloundra.
Meanwhile further north, Maroochydore resident Fabio Paulucci was voting at Maroochydore, with his kids in tow.
Mr Paulucci said he was casting a vote for Rosanna Natoli as mayor.
“Pretty much today we’re supporting (Rosanna) Natoli,” Mr Paulucci said.
“The main reason is because we could see that she’s planning a lot of ways and her plan is moving a lot in regards to housing affordability and how we’re going to make Sunshine Coast a little bit more affordable for people to live and work.
“I think she would make a very good mayor.”
Maroochydore resident Andrew Hinchcliffe, however, had a different opinion and cast his vote for Jason O’Pray as mayor.
“I voted for Jason (O’Pray) mainly because he’s gonna put more off leash dog parks around,” Mr Hinchcliffe said.
“That would suit me with what I do in my everyday life.
“There was no real theory behind it, I think anyone that would get in would do a great job.”
Mr Hinchcliffe added that he would like to see the Sunshine Coast retain its current lifestyle.
“I am happy that they don’t have high rises here, I definitely don’t want it to be like the Gold Coast, I’d like to keep it more local,” he said.
Tarek El-din was at the Coolum State School to vote, after living in the region for about three years, and said he not been engaged in the election “at all” in the lead-up.
“The length of my engagement is because I know one of the candidates personally … I think I’ve had one conversation about it before now,” he said.
He said the divisions were confusing for people and cost-of-living conversations were dominating instead.
Mr El-din said he would vote for the candidate he knew because “he’s a stand-up guy” but had no idea of his political views.
He said he had “no idea” where he would put his mayoral vote.
Jen Foden, a Coolum Beach region resident of 17 years, said she also knew one of the division 8 candidates personally and would vote for him.
“We have been a little more (engaged) because one of our local neighbours is running,” she said.
“That’s had us more engaged and interested.”
She said it would be good to have some “young blood” in council.
Ms Foden said she did not know who to vote for in the mayoral race because the candidates had targeted their campaigns towards the centre and southern ends of the region.
“It’s a real shame because we’re engaged, we’ve got three kids so it matters to us what’s happening in our areas,” she said.
Incumbent councillor Maria Suarez was also at the school handing out her flyers.
She said she remained humble before the voting count began and it was rewarding as some people had “thanked her” as they went to vote for little and bigger things council had done.
“It’s been very different being the incumbent as to being a new candidate,” she said.
“I guess you’ve got that knowledge base built up so you understand what things are in your control and what aren’t in your control,” she said.
“So you probably are a little bit more careful about your promises.
“Last time I ran, I made some pretty big promises I couldn’t keep.”
She said the decline of newspapers had made it harder, especially for the older generation, to engage with the mayoral campaign and decide who to vote for.
“It’s going to be super difficult to tell (the winner), I couldn’t pick it,” she said.
Noosa Council election
Noosa mayoral candidate Ingrid Jackson was at Sunshine Beach State School today and said she expects the result at Noosa to be tight.
“I’m feeling really good, I’ve gotten a lot of people coming up to me who are saying they’re voting for me,” Mrs Jackson said.
“But of course, there are also many people who seem to have decided they know what they want and they’re just marching through.
“They don’t want to pick up any anything from us and so we’ll see what happens on the night.”
“I’m getting the feeling there’s a mood for change, there’s a fair bit of people saying it’s time we’ve got to change.”
Nick Hluszko is hearing from voters that they want council to get back to basics.
“They’re saying that they believe that the council needs to get back to doing what it’s supposed to doing,” Mr Hluszko said.
“Council should be not straying away and doing their projects and wasting money on stuff they shouldn’t be.
“Voters are clearly sending the message that the council should stay out of state matters.”
Mr Hluszko added that there has also been a strong reaction to election-related issues, as well as the management of the Noosa River.
“The reaction to the how-to-vote cards has been pretty strong, there’s a lot of people who are interested in issues like the river as well,” he said.
Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie said it appears that most voters have made up their mind well ahead of arriving at the polling booth.
“Most voters seem to be very informed, they come in, they know what their voting intentions are,” Mr Wilkie said.
“They don’t take any material, some you can see have made up their mind but out of politeness, they take the material.
“My personal perspective is I feel very well supported and very hopeful.”
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