Local business franchise owner of JETTS fitness. No Local Government experience. States he will address the STA issue. He advises he has had no active involvement with the local environment or conservation groups. Best known for: participation in TV series The Biggest Loser.
Noosa Candidates Unwrapped is our assessment of candidates and their records without their own spin.
We asked candidates to list the issues based on ‘resident priority’ and significant environmental issues they believe need attention. Some candidates answered vaguely. Some not at all. Only relevant responses have been included, along with our assessment of their record.
(candidate information authorised by N. Playford, 12 Daybreak Court, Castaways Beach)
- Voting for Mayor is Optional Preferential. You MUST vote for ONE, then may add your other preferences. On this page, just choose your number ONE.
- For Councillor you must choose SIX candidates.
Click on BLACK BOX WITH QUESTION MARK for candidate info. Click on name to select. (to unselect – click on pic again)
Mayor
John MORRALL
Frank WILKIE
Current two-term Deputy Mayor. Voting record in support of resident and environment issues. Strong connections with local community and Arts scene.
Frank says he will address full compliance with Short Term Accommodation Local Law, traffic systems that prioritise access for residents, reducing adverse impacts of major commercial events, and sedimentation and water quality in marine ecosystems.
He has been Coordinator of the Clean Up Australia day at Peregian Beach foreshore park for the last 12 years.
Ingrid JACKSON
Served as a Councillor for one term ending 2020. Voting record opposing Noosa Plan adoption and a proposal for restoration of marine ecosystems in the Noosa River.
Involved in the ‘Future Noosa’ debacle in 2020 when the team was found to have made “false” and “misleading” claims that it was not connected with a Property Developer. Ingrid did not answer our candidate questions.
Nick HLUSZKO
No experience in Local Government. Background in restaurant, cinema and retail management overseas. President of Noosa North Shore Association. Campaigned against proposals to help protect the Noosa River through a Conservation Park. Did not respond to our candidate questions.
Councilors
Chris DARWEN
Plant nursery operations manager. Former mining electrician. No Local government experience. No known profile with the local environment. Noosa Matters could not contact Chris, and he did not allow his contact details to be displayed publicly by ECQ when he nominated.
Karen FINZEL
Current Councillor and only member of the ‘Future Noosa’ team elected in 2020. The team was found to have made “false” and “misleading” claims that it was not connected with a property developer. Has consistently voted as a ‘bloc’ with Mayor Stewart and Cr Lorentson against river conservation projects and for approval of controversial STA applications. Karen did not respond to our candidate questions.
Jess PHILLIPS
Former police officer. Current occupation ‘training consultant’. No known links to environment organisations. Has been, and still is heavily involved in the Cooroy Gymnastics club.
In relation to ensuring resident priority, Jess says she will establish transparent and inclusive decision-making processes, prioritise community input on major projects, and support regular engagement with residents though meetings and open forums.
Environmental issues she believes need attention include protection of biodiversity and natural habitats, initiatives to support climate change, and collaboration with environmental organisations. Jess lists no personal active environmental involvement.
Nicola WILSON
Chartered Accountant with a career in Corporate Finance, including strategy, forecasting, financial modelling and due diligence for large coporations including Andersen, EY, Caltex, Qantas and Fairfax. Wants to improve financial management to get better value for rate money and quality community services for all. Member of local ALP branch. Nicola states she will address the restoration of amenity for residents surrounded by Short Stay businesses, as well as protecting the environment from overdevelopment and overtourism. Believes environmental issues that need attention include restricting development in environmentally sensitive areas and keeping the river clean and free for all to enjoy.
Andrea NEWLAND
No known local community group or environment group connections. Campaigner and political candidate in fringe anti-vax group Informed Medical Options Party, now re-named as HEART.
Andrea did not respond to our candidate questions.
Brian STOCKWELL
Veteran high-profile Noosa Councillor. Former local government planner and environment manager. Strong voting record on resident and environment issues. Long connections with community, environment and sporting groups including Noosa Lions Football Club and Resident & Ratepayers Association. Record of prioritising the interests of residents. Has argued strongly for a resident focus in development of a Destination Management Plan. Wants to restrict growth of whole house STAs, and focus compliance on rowdy STAs and encroachment on public land. Supporter of the Bring Back the Fish and TNC Oyster Reef restoration Program, and Noosa River Plan including public consultation.
Amelia LORENTSON
One-term Councillor has voted consistently as a ‘bloc’ with Mayor Stewart and Cr Karen Finzel against river conservation projects and for many contested STA applications. Once described the spread of STA as an “imaginary problem”.
Argued to have STA as a consistent use in all residential zones across Noosa Shire, and was supported by Cr Finzel in an attempt to amend the Town Plan to include STA as a consistent use in the Low Density Residential zone. Now states STA should be ‘managed’ rather than further restricted. Amelia did not respond to our candidate questions.
Leigh McCREADY
Found to be a Property Developer after an investigation during the 2020 campaign when the ‘Future Noosa’ Team she managed claimed falsely that it had no connections with any Property Developer. Until recently Noosa branch President of the LNP, but failed to win endorsement for the seat of Noosa. Family home in Verrierdale – outside Noosa Shire, but has stated she is now living in Noosaville. Leigh promises to address more thorough STL compliance, prevent further increase in holiday rentals in residential areas, and return kerbside collections. Former NPA member for 19 years, volunteering at Double Island Point lighthouse reserve.
Joe JURISEVIC
Well-known former environment campaigner, handyman and veteran Councillor with a strong presence in Noosa Sporting groups and a long-term campaigner for Clean-Up Australia and recycling issues. A mostly supportive voting record on environment, resident and STA issues.
Joe supported making STAs inconsistent in all residential property zones, not just low density, in the 2020 Noosa Plan. He promises to address paid visitor parking to fund free buses and drop the transport levy.
Has a record of supporting river improvement issues such as the oyster pilot program.
Mat BANKES
Says he has had “a diverse career spanning 40 industries”, lately including “disability support work, life coaching, consulting, and mentoring.” He has stated his campaign will revolve around “Fun, Family and Freedom” whatever this means. On social media he has declared his alignment with Leigh McCready.
Mat advises his solution to return resident priority is to “Clean Up | Grow Up | Wake Up the Noosa Shire!”. He also advises he has participated in Clean up Australia days.
Fiona JACOBS
Former Registered Nurse and campaigner for Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) laws. No significant profile in local environment issues, but supported by some hinterland resident group campaigners. One of several to declare a ‘no posters/no letterboxing’ campaign.
Fiona states she will address STA non-compliance with local laws, and strive towards a circular economy for waste. She supports consultation on a river Conservation Park and adoption of The Noosa River Plan. A member of Burgess Creek Bush-care and other working bees.
Michelle NGATAI-STOKES
Little publicly available information on her background. In a social media response, she stated “I have never liked and do not agree with any of the names you mentioned above as they were all created by the evil Cabal hence why we are presently in a Spiritual war.”
Michelle did not respond to our candidate questions.
Tom WEGENER
Current Noosa Councillor with a strong voting record on limiting STA and on resident and environment protection issues. Well known local surfboard maker and former environment lawyer. A strong campaigner for ‘regenerative’ agriculture around the Noosa hinterland. The leading councillor in restricting and regulating STA, and will continue to address restoring resident amenity in our neighbourhoods. A strong supporter of the oyster reef pilot program and the draft Noosa River Plan. He states “the natural environment will always be my number one priority and working towards maintaining the Noosa way of life and the village character of the hinterland.”
Alecia STAINES
Campaigning as an ‘unbadged’ LNP candidate with the support of local branch members. Former Primary school teacher and midwife who has campaigned for better birthing services in rural areas. No known profile in local resident or environment groups. Alecia did not respond to our candidate questions.
DIY Voting Card
Mayor
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Councillors
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Mayor Candidates
John MORRALL
Frank WILKIE
Ingrid JACKSON
Nick HLUSZKO
Councillor Candidates
Chris DARWEN
Karen FINZEL
Jess PHILLIPS
Nicola WILSON
Andrea NEWLAND
Brian STOCKWELL
Amelia LORENTSON
Leigh McCREADY
Joe JURISEVIC
Mat BANKES
Fiona JACOBS
Michelle NGATAI-STOKES
Tom WEGENER
Alecia STAINES
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