The field of candidates for next month’s local government elections has been confirmed, after nominations officially closed.
Both the Sunshine Coast and Noosa councils will have new mayors, with Mark Jamieson and Clare Stewart respectively stepping down.
Cr Jamieson joins Deputy Mayor Rick Baberowski and Councillor Peter Cox in exiting Sunshine Coast Council, while Councillor Jason O’Pray won’t stand for Division 8 and is instead running for mayor.
Cr Stewart, meanwhile, has officially been endorsed as the LNP’s candidate for Noosa at this year’s state election.
All candidates below are as they appear on the Electoral Commission of Queensland website and are listed as independent unless otherwise noted.
The Sunshine Coast Council mayoral candidates are Jason O’Pray, Min Swan, Michael Burgess, Rosanna Natoli, Wayne Parcell and Ashley Robinson.
John Morrall, Frank Wilkie, Ingrid Jackson and Nick Hluszko are in the running to become Noosa mayor.
In Noosa Shire, there are six councillors and the mayor. It does not have divisional boundaries.
Current Noosa Council members Joe Jurisevic, Tom Wegener, Karen Finzel, Brian Stockwell and Amelia Lorentson have all nominated, while Frank Wilkie is vying to become mayor.
The candidates to become Noosa councillors are Joe Jurisevic, Tom Wegener, Mat Bankes, Karen Finzel, Brian Stockwell, Chris Darwen, Fiona Jacobs, Amelia Lorentson, Nicola Wilson, Alecia Staines, Leigh McCready, Jess Phillips, Michelle Ngatai-Stokes and Andrea Newland.
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The Sunshine Coast Regional Council area is made up of 10 divisions, each represented by one councillor, plus the mayor.
In Sunshine Coast Council Division 1, the candidates are Kristy Taylor-Rose, Jenny Broderick and Stan Nawrocki. It covers Beerwah, Landsborough, Caloundra South and surrounds. It is currently held by deputy mayor Rick Baberowski.
In Sunshine Coast Council Division 2, the candidates are Pamela Mariko (Animal Justice Party), Cindy Jensen, Michael Foreman and Terry Landsberg. It covers Caloundra, Pelican Waters and surrounds. It is currently held by Terry Landsberg.
In Sunshine Coast Council Division 3, the candidates are Alister Eiseman, Kym Willing and Tim Burns. It covers Currimundi, Warana, Wurtulla and surrounds. It is currently held by Peter Cox.
In Sunshine Coast Council Division 4, the candidates are Joe Natoli, Mark Gilbert, John Connolly and Mark Wadeson. It covers Buddina, Mooloolaba, some of Maroochydore and surrounds. It is currently held by Joe Natoli.
In Sunshine Coast Council Division 5, the candidates are Winston Johnston, Richard Bruinsma and Tracy Burton (Greens). It covers Maleny, Montville, Palmwoods and surrounds. It is currently held by Winston Johnston.
In Sunshine Coast Council Division 6, the candidate is the incumbent, Christian Dickson. It covers Mountain Creek, Sippy Downs, some of Buderim and surrounds.
In Sunshine Coast Council Division 7, the candidates are Ted Hungerford, Sue Woodbury (Animal Justice Party), Deborah Moseley (Greens) and Ken Mackenzie. It covers some of Buderim, Forest Glen, Kuluin, and surrounds. It is currently held by Ted Hungerford.
In Sunshine Coast Council Division 8, the candidates are Kathryn Hyman, Tim Ryan, Taylor Bunnag and Walter Johnson. It covers Marcoola, Mount Coolum, some of Maroochydore and surrounds. It is currently held by Jason O’Pray.
In Sunshine Coast Council Division 9, the candidates are Maria Suarez, Suzie Campin and Bruce Dunne. It covers Bli Bli, Coolum Beach and surrounds. It is currently held by Maria Suarez.
In Sunshine Coast Council Division 10, the candidates are David Law, Peter Walsh, Camillo Primavera and Sue Etheridge (Greens). It covers Eumundi, Kenilworth, Mapleton, Nambour, Yandina and surrounds. It is currently held by David Law.
Nominations officially closed at noon on Tuesday, February 13. Election day is Saturday, March 16. Postal voting commences on Wednesday, February 14, while early voting begins on Monday, March 4.
A caretaker period, during which councils cannot make major policy decisions, has been in effect from the date of the notice of the election (January 29).
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