Television personality Rosanna Natoli has emerged victorious in the race to become the next mayor of the Sunshine Coast Council, succeeding the retiring mayor, Mark Jamieson. Winning with 27% of the votes, Natoli, who will be serving alongside her husband Joe Natoli, credited her supporters and expressed eagerness to serve the residents of the Sunshine Coast.
Following a tense two-week wait for election updates, Natoli shared her relief at being officially declared the mayor after a night out at a Brisbane Lions match. She mentioned plans to step down from her roles in television presenting and university lecturing in the upcoming days to fully dedicate herself to her new responsibilities. Infrastructure was highlighted as one of Natoli's key priorities, emphasizing the importance of meaningful consultation in the face of continued development in the high-growth area.
There have been no concerns raised about potential conflicts of interest regarding Natoli's husband also being a council member, as the incoming mayor remains committed to serving the community effectively. As the first female mayor of the amalgamated Sunshine Coast Council, Natoli is set to receive an annual salary of $244,886, increasing in July. Meanwhile, other mayoral positions in Noosa and Gympie have also seen new leaders elected, with councillor positions in several divisions still pending declaration.