Sunshine Coast Council votes on controversial Mooloolaba seawall project

Sections of the Sunshine Coast are “gutted” by council’s decision to go ahead with a controversial seawall project - as an outspoken husband and wife council duo were excluded from voting because of a reported election gift. Here’s how it unfolded.

Joe and Rosanna Natoli were excluded from voting.

Sunshine Coast businesses and beach advocates are gutted by council’s decision to go ahead with a controversial seawall project - as an outspoken husband and wife council duo were excluded from voting because of a reported election gift.

On Thursday, May 30, Sunshine Coast Council voted on one of its most controversial projects - the Mooloolaba seawall.

In an unexpected move, Mayor Rosanna Natoli declared she had been gifted an accommodation voucher for five nights from the manager of the Peninsular Beachfront Resort as an election campaign gift in February.

Mrs Natoli said the donated accommodation voucher was used in a raffle.

“There’s nothing wrong with having a conflict of interest,” she said.

“It’s normal to have relationships within the community.

“It’s only wrong if you don’t declare it.”

Beachgoers at Mooloolaba Beach. Picture: Contributed

Consequently both Mrs Natoli and her husband, Councillor for Division 4 Joe Natoli, were excluded from discussion and voting due to conflicts of interest.

The husband and wife council duo were outspoken against the project leading up to, and during the recent election, announcing they were both opposed to it, and would commit to push for the project to be reviewed and investigated due to the immense push back from the community over the past two years.

Cr Joe Natoli and Rosanna Natoli. Picture - file.

Councillors Terry Landsberg, Christian Dickson and Taylor Bunnag voted against the motion, which was supported by councillors Jenny Broderick, Tim Burns, Winston Johnston, Ted Hungerford, David Law and deputy mayor Maria Suarez.

Deputy Mayor Maria Suarez said the plan would help businesses to continue to attract locals and visitors before, during and after stage two’s construction.

“We have been listening through these forums and it is apparent that there will never be absolute consensus about this project, but it is vitally important to present the facts and give our businesses and community certainty about when this project will occur,” she said.

“The revitalised foreshore will ensure Mooloolaba remains an attractive and competitive destination, whilst also playing an important role welcoming visitors, spectators and athletes attending the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

The Beach Matters advocacy group president Rachael Bermingham said they were “totally gutted” by council’s decision.

“In what world does anyone think it’s ok to build on a beach these days?” Ms Bermingham said.

Rachael Bermingham and fellow protesters.

“We think the project has got many great aspects, but laying concrete stairs on one of the most popular and populated Sunshine Coast beaches, reducing much-needed beach space for all the different user groups there, is definitely not one of them.

“It’s a poor state of affairs when the local councillor and the mayor can’t vote or speak about one of the biggest decisions this council has had to make because of an accommodation voucher?

“A voucher gives no business any advantage whatsoever, all businesses along there will have the same impact either way.”

Ms Bermingham said the report given to councillors left a lot of detail out, like their recently completed survey of 161 businesses that showed only seven were fully supportive of the project, and more than 3000 people surveyed were unaware at the time of survey, that there would be significant beach losses.

State member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson said businesses would suffer immensely during the construction period.

Fiona Simpson MP. Picture: Liam Kidston

“We all want a beautiful Mooloolaba, with the best protection for the beach and also support for business,” she said.

“Sadly council’s decision has not taken into account over the incursion of the proposed structure into the beach zone, but also the impact upon businesses continuity over the nearly two year construction period.

“Contrary to advice to councillors, many in the business community are unhappy with the decision as they are warning it will kill their businesses and cost jobs if people can’t access the beach or their establishments. Council has provided no assurances or information to business about how customers will be able to access their businesses and the beach.

“Without a business continuity plan with proper access, car parking and awareness of the issues local businesses face, this will kill jobs and businesses.

“There are people whose houses are on the line who currently employ hundreds of staff in this area. If it’s not done right the so-called business activation strategy is just a PR job without substance, as it hasn’t taken into account local jobs and the voices of people who actually pay the wages.”

Originally published as Sunshine Coast Council votes on controversial Mooloolaba seawall project