NEW SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL SWORN IN BY TELECONFERENCE
Today marked an important day in the history of Scenic Rim Regional Council as the newly elected Mayor and Councillors were sworn in following yesterday's finalisation of declarations from the Electoral Commission of Queensland.
It was also an historic moment with the majority of the declarations made via a teleconference in response to COVID-19 and social distancing guidelines.
Returning Mayor, Greg Christensen, made his declaration in Council Chambers (while practising social distancing) and said that it was a privilege to begin a second term with Council.
"This is an honour I am humbled by and one I hold in the highest regard," he said.
"I am proud of what Council has achieved over the past four years and recognise that the region has faced some challenges during this time, including flood, drought, bushfires and now COVID-19.
"My pledge to our communities is to continue to deliver real effective leadership for our region and to shape a future we can all share in and be proud of," Cr Christensen said.
One-by-one, Chief Executive Officer Jon Gibbons took the Declarations of Office from each of the new Councillors via a teleconference call.
In closing, Mayor Greg Christensen congratulated his fellow Councillors on their successful election to serve as part of the 2020-2024 Scenic Rim Regional Council.
He also acknowledged and thanked Nadia O'Carroll, Nigel Waistell and Rick Stanfield for their valuable contributions during Council's last term.
Under the Local Government Act 2009, each Councillor is required to make a Declaration of Office before they can act as Councillor.
Council's post-election meeting will be held via teleconference this Thursday 23 April where Council will appoint the Deputy Mayor and Chair and Deputy Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group.
The meeting schedule for the year will also be adopted and Councillors will note the election results as provided by Electoral Commission of Queensland.
"While our new Council will begin its first meetings remotely in response to COVID-19, we are bound and committed to ensuring the highest standards of our local government and continuing to deliver strong outcomes for our communities," Cr Christensen said.
A full audio recording of the Declarations of Office is available on Council's website.