3:15p.m. 27th February 2008

| By Alan Lander

IT was a case of “into the lion’s den” for mayoral candidates Joe Natoli and Bob Abbot last night.

With the retirement of Caloundra mayor Don Aldous, the Maroochy and Noosa mayors were not only facing a potentially hostile audience – they had to make a convincing pitch to the city’s business communities.

Addressing an audience of Caloundra and Kawana chambers of commerce members, both candidates showed a creditable understanding of the city’s issues, according to post-meeting feedback.

Mr Abbot described his vision of a Coast which did not lose its individual identities, calling it a “community of communities”, unlike the uniform Gold Coast.

“People visiting from Brisbane don’t see the Sunshine Coast – they talk about Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Coolum, Noosa,” he said.

“We are a community of communities, and I am determined to maintain that.”

He warned against becoming a Gold Coast, for pragmatic reasons.

“If we became a Gold Coast, we would have to compete with them – and they would win,” Mr Abbot said.

Mr Natoli acknowledged past perceptions of his council, but extolled its more recent achievements and his own efforts beyond Maroochy boundaries, such as securing $20 million of funding for the whole Coast and giving $5 million to the development of Stockland (formerly Quad) Park.

He emphasised sustainability from an economic perspective.

“If we are going to have sustainability, we need to have housing affordability,” Mr Natoli said.

“Available land has dried up – and rents on the Coast have risen by 22%, against only 10% for the rest of Queensland.”

Each candidate received questions from the audience, which ranged from the future of Caloundra Airport, the challenges of combining three shire “cultures”, population growth management and police numbers.

One questioner asked Mr Abbot how he would attract more business to Caloundra, to which Mr Abbot said he would not seek further competition for existing businesses, but to support the current on-the-ground business community in its own expansion.

Mr Natoli was asked about rejuvenation of Caloundra’s Bulcock Street – a place where he once ran a fruit and vegetable shop – and was able to offer a similar vision to the $6 million plans in place for Nambour’s revival.

COMMENT

IF last night’s meeting feedback is anything to go by, both Bob Abbot and Joe Natoli will have to wait a week or so before voters start to form their intentions.

But at least Caloundra people are warming to them.

A Daily straw poll of 25 showed the audience’s majority undecided on a mayoral candidate at this stage.

But many were impressed by the research each candidate had done on Caloundra’s city’s hot-button issues.

Comments from around the room:

“Joe was very passionate.” (three separate people made this point)

“I thought they were both dumb, but I will probably vote Joe.”

“They were both polished candidates.” (three said this)

“Joe seemed nervous – maybe he saw the Daily poll.”

“We like Bob’s directness.” (two women agreed)

“I thought Bob was over the issues better on the night.”

“Joe was a bit negative, and positve only when he spoke about his family.”

“I was worried Bob is too pro-Noosa.”

“Joe spoke with too much emphasis on Maroochy Council’s past – a lot of us didn’t know that. But we know now ... ”