It’s an exciting time and a new era for Maroochy Shire as the community welcomes a new Council and Mayor who will guide the Shire over the next four years. The face of the Maroochy Shire Council team changed following the Local Government election held on 27 March. The new Council comprises 12 Councillors under the leadership of new Mayor, Councillor Joe Natoli.
Other Councillors representing the Shire over the next four years are Councillors Zrinka Johnston (Deputy Mayor), Greg Rogerson, Jenny McKay, Paul Tatton, Tony Northey, Bruce Dunne, Greg Fahey, Steve Dickson, Ted Hungerford, Mick Hourigan, Tom Hulett and Chris Thompson.
In a first for the region, the new Council has signed a statement of goodwill. This commits all Councillors to putting the Shire first by creating a cohesive, vibrant and enterprising Maroochy Shire Council.
In his first official speech as Mayor, Councillor Natoli said all Councillors needed to rediscover and recapture the meaning of what it really is to be a councillor and that the new Council must work hard to create and promote an atmosphere of trust. In addition to the statement of goodwill, Council has adopted a 13 point plan setting out a strong and cohesive direction over the next fours. The plan signifies a great start for the new Council and is designed to set down key priorities over the next term. This plan is about vision and putting the Shire first when it comes to making decisions.
The plan will also position Maroochy for the future while preserving the Shire’s enviable lifestyle. The 13 point plan encompasses the following:
- Infrastructure provision for 2020 and beyond.
- Open and transparent governance run by the Council and not the organisation.
- Create the economic development climate and the industry and business to provide jobs.
- Protecting the environment including waterways and more effectively managing sewerage wastewater.
- Planning for long term water provision including feasibility of dams, desalination, dual reticulation of water supplies and mandatory rainwater tanks.
- Rationalising Council’s finances to be more cost-efficient and introducing a rate cap.
- Debate how to best manage population growth including environmental, rural and urban impacts (Council will cultivate community and public debate).
- Debate and resolve highrise and urban sprawl versus high urban density issue (Council will cultivate community and public debate).
- Address traffic and parking problems and road improvement requirements in both rural and urban areas.
- Identifying, enhancing and strengthening our many and diverse communities.
- Improving maintenance services throughout the Shire.
- Finding sustainable options for maintaining our quality of life through economic development and public private partnerships with Council considering undertaking some economic development activities itself.
- Reviewing Councils products and services for value and performance.
