What can we expect if Rosanna Natoli becomes the next mayor?

Rosanna Natoli’s campaign to become the Sunshine Coast mayor has been years in the making. She’s been in the public eye since she was a young mum. So what can voters expect? We take a look.

Joe and Rosanna Natoli are regulars on the Sunshine Coast social scene.

Rosanna Natoli’s campaign to become the Sunshine Coast mayor has been years in the making - something that is reflected in her incredible spread of votes across the region.

She had been thinking about running well before Mark Jamieson announced in November last year that he would retire and has been on the community campaign trail unofficially for decades.

“I’ve been campaigning in the community for 30 years. I just didn’t think about it like that,’’ Mrs Natoli told the Sunshine Coast Daily on Monday, referring to her work as a journalist working in the community, talking to locals about the things that mattered to them and doing stories on them.

Along with presenter Rob Brough, Ms Natoli, first as a television journalist, then a news and weather presenter, has become one of the most recognised faces on regional television in Queensland.

As a journalist she’s covered everything from some of the region’s worst crimes to food and wine festivals and fundraisers, building contacts and community connections along the way.

In December last year, she revealed she would run for mayor, saying she could no longer sit on the sidelines while the region was neglected for major instructure like roads and rail to match its booming population growth. She had been thinking about it for about two years.

“It would not go away,’’ she says of the desire to lead the Coast.

Joe Natoli and Rosanna Natoli with their family from left daughter Ruby, son Roman and daughter Mia

Since December she has embarked on a relentless listening tour which has taken in more than 70 different locations and functions. She’s been to business events, surf lifesaving and AFL events, anti crime causes, not to mention the key meet the candidates nights.

She developed a 10 point action plan which was based on the key issues that residents raised.

“It was the message that resonated with residents,’’ Mrs Natoli said.

She said many had commented to her they were voting for her because she had clear policies.

She admits that her public profile as the ‘weather girl’ had helped her but says without her plan, she would not be in the lead.

Mrs Natoli used social media well during the campaign, telling local groups stories through videos and even targeting younger voters on TikTok on key issues like affordable housing and public transport.

That approach has ensured popular support from the hinterland to the coast.

She is leading the votes in Beerwah, Caloundra, Maleny, Buderim, Coolum and Nambour, based on the early voting centres.

But in Maroochydore and Buddina, Ashley Robinson had more support.

Her 10 point plan promises action on everything from cost of living to housing affordability.

An early photo of Rosanna Natoli juggling her media career and motherhood. Joe used to collect daughter Ruby before she went on air. Photo: Nicholas Falconer / Sunshine Coast Daily

Along the way, she’s promised to explore tiny homes on suitable properties, ensure there is infrastructure before development and fight for better public transport including passenger rail in Maroochydore, Kawana, Caloundra, Aura and Beerwah as well as a network of clean green buses connecting all communities.

Mrs Natoli, whose husband Joe is a division four councillor, has also promised more meaningful consultation with the community - and to her credit she faced her fiercest critics by attending a dog owners forum at Buddina.

Woman of many talents: Rosanna Natoli, Kayleigh Marven, and Dale Gibson took to the stage in Gateway Theatre Production's The Wizard of Oz.

While her husband spoke in favour of introducing unpopular new restrictions on dog owners, including a weekend beach ban at Pt Cartwright, Ms Natoli has promised to review the situation, if elected.

She also promised better maintenance of roads, footpaths, parks and services.

Joe Natoli with wife, Rosanna, and daughter Ruby, celebrate Joe becoming the mayor of Maroochy Shire, with family and supporters at the Natoli family home. Photo: Brett Wortman

On the development front, she is expected to be a complete U-turn from Mark Jamieson, who was more pro development.

Mrs Natoli has promised there will be “no Gold Coast”, joining with her husband in opposing light rail through beachside coastal communities.

But she’s promised to promote economic growth and maximise the Olympic benefits.

One of the key issues she will be judged on is how she manages the council bureaucracy amid concerns from some ratepayers it has failed to meet community expectations or listen to and consult with residents, a charge her predecessor rejects.

Mrs Natoli has promised a review of council services, including to cut down waste, and a “refresh” of the council structure.

Her biggest challenge may be in bringing together a team of councillors who will work together for the region.

But for now it is a waiting game for Mrs Natoli, along with her closest rival Ashley Robinson.

The distribution of preferences will not happen until after deadline for postal votes close on March 29.

Currently, Mrs Natoli’s lead is fewer than the number of postal votes to come in and there’s really no way any one will know how preferences will vote given it is up to votes whether they allocate preferences or just vote 1.