By Cara Waters
Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece is facing a revolt from the City of Melbourne council, which has passed an urgent motion opposing his plan to sell the historic Regent Theatre if re-elected.
At the Future Melbourne Committee meeting on Tuesday night, councillor Jamal Hakim moved a motion calling for the preservation of the theatre.
Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece and candidate for deputy lord mayor Roshena Campbell are facing backlash from council over their plans to sell the Regent Theatre. Credit: Simon Schluter
“The Future Melbourne Committee notes that the sale of the Regent Theatre would require mutual consent by the council and the state government and that the council has no intention or policy basis to pursue this,” the motion states.
Hakim’s motion was supported by a majority of councillors: Rohan Leppert, Olivia Ball, Philip Le Liu, Elizabeth Doidge and Davydd Griffiths.
On Sunday, The Age revealed Reece’s election pledge to sell the 95-year-old theatre – which has an estimated value of $40 million to $50 million – and use the proceeds to fund a new White Night-style festival, support local arts organisations and live music, and create new artists’ residencies.
The City of Melbourne owns 51 per cent of the Regent and the state government owns the rest.
Hakim, who is also running for lord mayor, told council he moved the motion because the perception had arisen that the City of Melbourne might sell the Regent Theatre and this was unfair on the tenant, the Marriner Group, and the state government and the council should correct the record.
“I am committed to ensuring we preserve this cultural iconic gem and continue to support Melbourne’s thriving arts sector,” he said.
The motion was opposed by Reece and his candidate for deputy lord mayor, Roshena Campbell, and Kevin Louey, who is also expected to be on Reece’s ticket.
“This is a nonsensical motion,” Reece told the council. “There is nothing in the City of Melbourne annual plan, nothing in the four-year plan, nothing in the 10-year plan, nothing in this year’s budget which relates to the sale of the Regent Theatre. There have recently been statements made in the context of the upcoming election about that possible event, but of course, that was done very clearly in the context of an upcoming election.”
The Regent Theatre on the weekend.Credit: Joe Armao
Reece said the proposed sale of the Regent Theatre could only be dealt with by a future council not the current council.
“One of the hallmarks, I think, of this term has been the professional way in which Future Melbourne Committee meetings and council meetings have been conducted,” he said. “We have been able to be a very productive and progressive council, but here we are considering a nonsensical motion in an act of clear electioneering. But sorry, I can’t vote for something that lowers the standard of how we’ve conducted ourselves in council over this term.”
Lord mayoral candidate Arron Wood said the decision showed Reece was out of touch and needed to reverse his decision to sell The Regent.
“I spoke to creative professionals at the Regent Theatre today who are shocked and scared to lose their jobs during a cost of living crisis,” he said.
The Regent Theatre is operated by the Marriner Group, which is eight years into a 30-year lease of the theatre.
Managing director Jason Marriner said the Marriner Group’s commitment to Melbourne theatre remained steadfast, but declined to comment on whether the group would consider buying the theatre.
“It is our intention that … the Regent will continue to operate successfully as a theatre for decades to come. The Regent remains in safe hands with a company with a proven track record of championing Melbourne theatre, music and arts,” he said.
Alex Klos, chief operating officer of Live Nation Australia and New Zealand, said the potential sale of the Regent Theatre emphasised the importance of preserving Melbourne’s iconic venues.
“Live Nation is open to collaborating with potential partners to revitalise historic structures and ensure venues like the Regent remain a vital part of the city’s cultural heritage,” he said.
A senior industry source, who wanted to remain anonymous because of the potential repercussions if Reece is re-elected, said it was unlikely anyone else would want to buy the theatre given the long-term lease with the Marriner Group.
“The mooted plan to divest the City of Melbourne’s ownership of the Regent does not seem properly thought through and is ignorant to the visionary decision by the city and state to come together to save the theatre for the people of Melbourne in the first place,” they said.
“The Regent is part of Melbourne’s vibrant live entertainment scene and part of what makes Melbourne the glittering jewel in Australian theatre. Any decision to sell their share of The Regent not only places its longevity as a theatre in grave jeopardy but also the city’s reputation as Australia’s cultural capital.”
Council elections will be held in October.
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