Logan City Council interim administrator Tamara O'Shea has used an impassioned final speech to urge residents to hold their elected representatives to account when the next councillors' tenures begin.
A tearful Ms O'Shea thanked the council and community at her last meeting before elections on March 28, and spoke of the honour she felt on leading the council.
Ms O'Shea urged Logan residents to push continued transparency and accountability in the organisation.
"If I could offer my advice to the public as we look ahead to the next chapter of this council, it would be to hold your elected representatives to account," Ms O'Shea said.
"Wherever possible, join in council's community engagement and have your say on the future of your communities and your city.
"We cannot go back to the old days of decision-making behind closed doors.
"The community expects their new council to be an exemplar of transparency and accountability in their decision making, and resolutions must be made through a proper meeting process."
She thanked Logan residents for their assistance during her tenure which began in May 2019.
She became emotional when speaking of her staff.
"I want to make special mention of the staff of the office of the interim administrator - Maureen Logan, Dianne Bone, Joy Chadwick and Alison Slade," Ms O'Shea said.
"Thank you for making me feel so welcome, for your hard work and, importantly, for your humour."
A box of tissues was passed to her, via the line of her executive management team, while Ms O'Shea spoke.
In signing off, Ms O'Shea paid tribute to Logan citizens.
"Logan is an extraordinary place with a wonderful and caring community," Ms O'Shea said.
"It has been a tremendous honour and privilege to lead your council during this time of interim administration.
"This opportunity has exceeded my expectations in every way and I could never have imagined that this would in fact be one of - if not the - most rewarding, worthwhile and positive experiences I have had in my career.
"I sincerely wish the next elected council all the very best as they work together to lead Logan towards even greater success for the benefit of all who call this wonderful city home."
Acting chief executive Silvio Trinca thanked Ms O'Shea for her service.
"I would like to take this opportunity of putting on the record a special thank you to Ms O'Shea for her commitment and support to the Logan community and the organisation over the last 10 months," he said.
"Ms O'Shea has taken advice from council staff, her interim management committee and, where necessary, sought additional legal advice to ensure her decision making was sound.
The organisation has welcomed the opportunity of working with Ms O'Shea for the benefit of our Logan community.
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