by Janine Hill

THE Sunshine Coast Council’s new mayor, Rosanna Natoli, has promised to put Sunshine Coast residents first and make them proud.

In a speech at the council’s post-election meeting on 11 April, Ms Natoli gave a pledge to the people of the region.

“During the election campaign, I promised I would bring a fresh new style of leadership, (and) to work with my councillor colleagues, and our state and federal members, to secure the infrastructure the Sunshine Coast so desperately needs,” she said.

“I developed a 10-point plan. I promised to be open and accountable, available, accessible. Most of all I promised to listen. This is an exciting time in our region’s story. We’re facing enormous growth, which brings challenges but also tremendous opportunities, the chance to make the Sunshine Coast a better place for us all and for future generations. These are the pledges I make to you today.  I will work every day to represent our community. I will always do my best to serve you and put the people of the Sunshine Coast first.”

Ms Natoli thanked the “warrior women” of her campaign committee, her supporters, volunteers, and her family for believing in her, and most of all, her husband, division four councillor Joe Natoli, for his “unwavering support”.

She hoped that her late parents, Enrico and Delfina, who left Italy in search of a better life for them and their family, would be proud.

“They cut sugar cane in Bundaberg, grew tobacco and grew crops, all the while reminding their three children that here in this country anything is possible, that you can make your own opportunities, that hard work actually gets you places, that it is okay to dare to dream it,” she said.

“Fast forward to 2024 and here I stand before you as mayor of the Sunshine Coast. I’m passionate, determined, hardworking and strong and I fight for what I believe in.” 

The mayor described the eight days since she and her fellow councillors had been sworn in as a “whirlwind”.

“It has been briefings, meetings, late night emails, early morning interviews, and I can honestly say I have loved every minute.

“I know as they say it’s early days but I’ve been imagining this for some time and I’m just so proud to be here today as your mayor.”

Ms Natoli is the Sunshine Coast’s first female mayor, although Alison Grosse was mayor of Maroochy Shire before amalgamation with Caloundra City created the Sunshine Coast Council.

The council now has an all-female team at the top. Returned Division 9 Councillor Maria Suarez was elected by councillors as deputy mayor ahead of division seven representative Ted Hungerford, who has 20 years’ experience as a councillor. The CEO is also a woman, Emma Thomas.