THE former chief executive officer of Glenelg Shire Council in South Australia, Sharon Kelsey, has been appointed as CEO of Logan City Council (LCC).
A Victorian resident, Ms Kelsey has broad experience in interstate senior local government, having held the CEO position at Glenelg from 2010 to 2014, a role she left in order to pursue further education.
Hundreds of council staff met the new CEO today. Ms Kelsey said she was encouraged by the enthusiasm and excited about the move to Queensland ahead of starting the role on June 27.
“I am really excited about the mayor and councillors’ vision for the City of Logan and I can’t wait to get started in this role.
“Importantly, I am also focused on building a positive organisational culture and working with the Logan community.”
Uncertainty over
The appointment comes after a series of new CEOs for LCC in the wake of the 2016 resignation of Chris Rose, who held the position for a decade.
The 2017 resignation of CEO Andrew Milner after less than seven months in the role threw LCC into a period of uncertainty.
Logan City mayor Luke Smith today welcomed Ms Kelsey and paid tribute to Todd Rohl, who has been acting CEO in the interim.
“I know he has relished this opportunity and is looking forward to continuing to grow and strengthen Logan in establishing council’s investment arm, Invest Logan,” he said.
Fresh approach
According to Cr Smith, a fresh approach to the recruitment process was adopted after months of broad consultation with staff.
“They told us they wanted to see qualities such as great communication skills, integrity, knowledge and experience in local government, and someone who is a real ‘people person’,” he said.
“The full councillor team were also an integral part of this recruitment process and interviewed all our shortlisted candidates before unanimously recommending Sharon for the role.”
Extensive experience
Cr Smith said Ms Kelsey will bring extensive experience to the City of Logan from her work in executive positions across South Australia and Victoria.
“Most recently she has worked with the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) in Victoria, and earlier worked in business consultancy, and as a lawyer and barrister, as well as serving in the South Australian police force.
“Sharon achieved a great deal for her former council area including planning and development reform, community building, investment attraction and growth.
“She also led her community through some very difficult times including recovery following serious bushfires and environmental disasters,” he said.
New plan ahead
Cr Smith said the appointment will allow LCC to confidently deliver a new 2017-2022 corporate plan, endorsed this week.
“We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response to our new vision and priorities for Logan, to build an innovative, dynamic city of the future,” he said.
“What has been borne out is that our residents and business operators want even more focus on public transport options and easing traffic congestion.
“This document guides the way for Logan to become the next CBD of south-east Queensland. Recent initiatives such as the launch of the website Logan Jobs and the two-day think-tank, Unpacking Innovation, are just the start of something great.”
The LCC Corporate Plan 2017-2022 is available at logan.qld.gov.au.
