Rosanna Natoli announces she will run for Sunshine Coast mayor
Popular television presenter and long time journalist Rosanna Natoli has announced she will run for mayor of the Sunshine Coast while her husband Joe, a former mayor, will recontest his divisional seat. What do you think? VOTE IN OUR POLL
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Rosanna Natoli, one of the most well known faces on regional Queensland TV, will run for Sunshine Coast mayor, saying she can no longer sit on the sidelines while the region is neglected for funding for roads and rail to match its rapid population growth.
The long-time Channel 7 journalist, TV presenter, university lecturer, socialite and wife of former mayor, Joe Natoli, announced she was running in the March elections and confirmed her husband, a sitting councillor, would run again in Division 4, which takes in Alexandra Headland, Buddina, Maroochydore, Minyama, Mooloolaba, Parrearra and Warana.
“Our family has been passionate about serving this community for decades … we don’t agree on everything, but we will negotiate like all good mayors and councillors,’’ Mr Natoli said.
Ms Natoli revealed to the Sunshine Coast Daily she had been contemplating the move for some time, well before Mark Jamieson announced he would not recontest the next election in March 2024.
Ms Natoli has been a popular face on TV since 1995 and has lectured in journalism at the University of the Sunshine Coast since 1999. She will take long service leave from both positions in order to focus on her campaign.
Mr Natoli was mayor for four years before he was defeated by former Noosa mayor Bob Abbot in the newly amalgamated Sunshine Coast council in 2008. He revealed his battle with depression after the loss before re-emerging as a division four councillor.
Ms Natoli has vowed a different approach to Mr Jamieson, promising to listen more to residents, be more transparent on key decision making, and fight to ensure vital roads and other infrastructure is provided as part of development requirements, rather than after developments.
Ms Natoli was welcomed by many locals at Buderim Village Park as she made her announcement.
There was music, cheers, wagging tails, and plenty of smiling faces.
Addressing the local crowd, Ms Natoli said she would be there to listen.
"Over the last few years I've noticed our community really feeling that they're not listened to," she said.
"I really wanted to make a difference there that matters … really listening and engaging with the community.
"Because that's where I come from … I've been out working with community groups for decades."
"You have to learn to negotiate and I am a communicator."
Regarding possibly working side-by-side with her husband who was running for Division 4 councillor, Ms Natoli said they didn't agree on everything.
"Like any councillor who might not agree with something that I say we'll have to negotiate for the betterment of the community," she said.
Ms Natoli said her first priority if elected as mayor would be to visit every community, address infrastructure needs, and make public transport more accessible.
"We can't have development and growth without infrastructure," she said.
"We are growing … it's going to happen … so we need to make sure that we have the infrastructure in place so that wherever you are across the region you can get to where you want to be without it being a drama and a struggle."
NATOLI NOT DECLARING ON DOG BAN ISSUE
When asked about the conflict regarding the dog beach at Buddina and the possibility of not allowing dogs on part of it anymore, Ms Natoli didn't have a firm stance.
"The dog issue on beaches has been a really big one and I believe that we need to find a compromise," she said.
"I think we need to do more with our dog lovers and dog parks.
"I think we should have more of that available and more perhaps in the way of an adventure dog park."
Mr Natoli has previously come under fire after speaking in support of tighter controls on dogs at Pt Cartwright.
In response to Mark Jamiesons comments yesterday about the new mayor needing to have knowledge of and a background in money and business, Ms Natoli said she believed there were more important qualities in a mayor.
"I think that what the community really wants is someone who listens," she said.
"Who listens to their needs and their wants for the future. "Someone who's prepared to listen, and act on that and be open and transparent in their leadership."
‘I CAN’T SIT ON THE SIDELINES ANY LONGER’
Ms Natoli said protecting the Coast’s lifestyle was incredibly important to her.
“ I can’t sit on the sidelines any longer … I want to take the Sunshine Coast forward and fight for what matters to us all.”
Ms Natoli cited rail to Brisbane, protecting lifestyle, infrastructure, planning for growth and cost of living as major issues.
“Everywhere you look, locals are dismayed at what’s happening to their lifestyle, on the roads, on beaches, in business and in their suburbs,” she said.
“It’s time all these voices were listened to.”
She and her husband, a former small businessman, have been passionate supporters of the arts, local business and the tourism industry, along with seniors and youth.
Her husband has campaigned against light rail on the Coast, and Ms Natoli has also signalled her strong opposition.
‘LIGHT RAIL NOISY, OUTDATED EXPENSIVE’
“We need fast, efficient transport that connects us all – every suburb, every day. There are 340,000 people who need better transport options and they need them now,” Ms Natoli said.
“I won’t stop until we have heavy, passenger rail from Brisbane to Beerwah, Aura, Caloundra, Kawana and Maroochydore, and rail duplication to Nambour. It’s essential. Plus, we need electric or hydro buses connecting suburbs north/south/east and west.
“The heavy rail will ease parking and traffic problems and allow the Bruce Highway to flow again. I already have a strong relationship with our elected members of parliament – we need our fair share of funding, and I will work with them to make it happen.”
“What we don’t need is an expensive, outdated, noisy light rail system servicing a tiny 13km strip, that residents don’t want, while the rest of us pay for it,” she said.
‘LOCALS SAY THEY FEEL OVERLOOKED’
Ms Natoli said she often heard from people who live in Caloundra, north of the Maroochy River, or in the hinterland, telling her they feel overlooked.
“That needs to stop. I will ensure the issues are heard, and solid solutions can be implemented.”
“I’ve spent 24 years lecturing at the university and nearly 30 years working covering news that is important to local residents from west to Kenilworth, north to Eumundi and Coolum, Caloundra, Nambour, Glasshouse, Warana, Mudjimba, Bli Bli … everywhere.
“We are a collection of communities, each with our own range of challenges. I am listening, I will continue to listen, but more importantly, I will do something about it.”
Ms Natoli said councils had to listen to people first, rather than vested interests.
“Community consultation needs to be meaningful and set the agenda – not the other way around.”
“We need trusted and transparent leadership — not secret deals which profit the few. I am dedicated to our region and passionate about seeing it grow while protecting our people … our lifestyle, our businesses and our environment,” she said.
Ms Natoli said she would focus council on the basics and maintenance of rural and urban areas.
Ms Natoli has lived on the Sunshine Coast since 1989.
She made her announcement in the ‘centre of the Coast’ surrounded by supporters from community, business and sporting groups.
Her children are Ruby, 21, Mia, 19 and Roman, 16.
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Originally published as Rosanna Natoli announces she will run for Sunshine Coast mayor
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