Acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood and Crown’s Ann Peacock bow out of race for lord mayor

THE race for Melbourne’s new lord mayor has opened up with Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood and Ann Peacock opting not to run in shock announcements.

THE race for Melbourne’s new lord mayor has opened up with Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood and Ann Peacock opting not to run in shock announcements.

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The major development enhances the prospects of Property Council chief Sally Capp taking the top Town Hall job if she throws her hat in the ring.

Ms Capp has expressed strong interest in the role and already has significant backing, but is yet to declare her candidacy for the May by-election.

Cr Wood, who has been Acting Lord Mayor since the departure of Robert Doyle, told the Herald Sun that several factors had contributed to his decision.

“I take my responsibility to my family very seriously. My No.1 ­responsibility is to be   a good dad and husband,” he said.

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Deputy lord mayor Arron Wood with his wife, Stephanie, son Sam, 9 months and daughter Addison, 4. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

But Cr Wood, who is married with two young children, said he would be at the council for the long haul, and identified priority issues such as the Queen Victoria Market redevelopment, ensuring inner-urban renewal areas were developed properly, and pushing for an airport rail link.

“My ambition is for Melbourne to be a competitive, sustainable city with a high quality of life,” he said.

Ms Peacock, daughter of Liberal Party elder statesman Andrew Peacock, said she had seriously considered running as the role played to her strengths and passion.

Ann Peacock said she had seriously considered running as the role played to her strengths and passion. Picture: Regina Karon

“My love of this great city of ours is very strong, as is my commitment and dedication over the last 23 years as an employee of Crown Resorts, where I have learnt a great deal about business, what it takes to be a strong leader and the importance of giving back,” she said.

Ms Peacock said she wanted to continue in her role at Crown.

Her decision not to run strengthens a potential Sally Capp candidacy.

Having both women run was seen as splitting the pro-business vote.

Last night, Ms Capp said she was considering her ­position.

But she praised Cr Wood’s performance since Mr Doyle took leave last December over sexual harassment ­allegations.

A potential Sally Capp candidacy has been strengthened.

Mr Doyle resigned almost three weeks ago.

“Arron’s done a great job as Acting Lord Mayor in very difficult circumstances, and I respect his decision (not to run),” she said.

Cr Wood would not comment on potential candidates for lord mayor, but said the winner needed to respect the landslide mandate achieved by Team Doyle in 2016.

“Whoever does come in needs a really good understanding of business and the $100 billion central city economy,” he said.

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