Joe Natoli defends commitment to division 4 after marriage breakdown

Following the shock announcement of Sunshine Coast Council couple Joe and Rosanna Natoli’s separation, a large community group says the councillor has been uncontactable this term with Mr Natoli pushing back on the claims.

Division 4 Councillor Joe Natoli at Mooloolaba. Photo: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

Sunshine Coast councillor Joe Natoli has stood by his commitment to his local division following backlash from a prominent community group that says he has “significantly reduced visibility”.

Mr Natoli rejected claims from the Mooloolaba community group, The Beach Matters, that he had “dropped the ball” in his role as councillor for division 4 since the election in 2024.

“I was elected to represent every resident of division 4, every organisation who operate in division 4, and under the act I have an obligation to represent everyone on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Natoli said.

“I have always dealt with people in a fair, open and transparent way, and always respectful in the way that we communicate with each other.”

The councillor’s comment comes after Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli made a shock announcement on Monday she and Mr Natoli had split after 35 years of marriage.

Mr Natoli said his relationship with The Beach Matters group had deteriorated due to issues between him the group’s president Rachael Bermingham.

“Unfortunately, since the election the relationship between myself and (the president) has become strained,” Mr Natoli said.

“I can assure you that every matter that has to do with the beach and water that comes before council and my desk I have total commitment to ensuring council does what is obligated and expected to be done by a local government.”

Ms Bermingham rejected there had been a strain on the relationship between her and Mr Natoli.

“From my perspective there was no issue. Last term he was active, this term he hasn’t been,” she said.

“We were in contact for the first couple of weeks of his term and then he went ghost.”

The Beach Matters group has criticised Mr Natoli’s presence in the community. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Division 4 Councillor Joe Natoli at Mooloolaba. Photo: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

The Beach Matters vice president Paula McGrath said the group had trouble communicating with Mr Natoli over the Mooloolaba foreshore plans, claiming the councillor had “significantly reduced visibility” after the election.

“Beach Matters has faced challenges in maintaining communication with division 4 Councillor Joe Natoli since his re-election. Despite representing an area central to many of the issues our 11,000-plus members care about, we have only met with him once during this term, in December,” Ms McGrath said.

“During that meeting, we raised concerns about beach and foreshore matters, which to date have not been addressed, and we also highlighted his lack of representation.”

Ms McGrath said the group had moved to other methods of communication.

“Beach Matters currently has no representation in relation to the Mooloolaba Revitalisation project – the largest project this beachside suburb will have to live through. Feedback from local businesses and residents indicates similar concerns about a lack of consultation, despite attempts to communicate directly with Councillor Natoli or the council,” Ms McGrath said.

“We have instead relied on communication with the Mayor’s and CEO’s offices to raise these critical issues on behalf of the community.”

Mr Natoli said he was open to building a better relationship with The Beach Matters in the future and he claimed in a lengthy response he has had several interactions with the group since being elected last year.

Originally published as Joe Natoli defends commitment to division 4 after marriage breakdown