Lord Mayor Nick Reece announces bid to keep city’s top job

Nick Reece has revealed his long-term vision for the city, including his $10m plan to light up laneways, as he launches his campaign to lead Melbourne for the next four years.

The rumours are true. Melbourne’s new Lord Mayor Nick Reece is hoping to spend not only the next four months, but the next four years, in the city’s top job.

Reece, who was presented with the mayoral robes and gold chains on Tuesday after spending almost four years as Sally Capp’s loyal deputy, has confirmed he will run for Lord Mayor in the October local council election.

Sitting down with the Sunday Herald Sun, Reece lays out his long-term vision for the city and exclusively reveals his first election policy as he launches his campaign to lead Melbourne into the second half of the decade.

“I hope over the next 100 days people will get a real sense of my priorities as Lord Mayor and where I want to take the city,” he says.

Reece with his wife Felicity Pantelidis and daughters at Carlton Gardens. Picture: Josie Hayden

Sipping the most Melbourne of coffee orders – a “magic”, or a double shot of ristretto with ¾ flat white – Reece says he is squarely focused on “getting things done”.

“Melbourne has been through some really tough years,” he says.

“We were the most locked-down city in the world.

“While I think, generally, the city has bounced back, I am the first to acknowledge that there are still people and businesses who are doing it really tough.

“I won’t shy away from the challenges or the tough issues that the city is facing.”

Reece was sworn in as the 105th Lord Mayor of Melbourne on Tuesday. Picture: David Caird

Under his first election policy, Reece promises – if elected – to dedicate $10m to illuminating the city in a bid to increase safety and boost night-time trading.

“Lighting up Melbourne will make this great city of ours even better,” he says.

The plan would see 20 laneways fitted with new decorative “catenary” lighting – similar to the lights above Bourke Street Mall and the intersection of Lonsdale and Russell streets – and “wall-washer” lighting over four years at a cost of $8m.

Reece hopes that beyond transforming the atmosphere of these laneways, the extra lighting will help residents and visitors feel safer in the city – and potentially reduce crime.

“I want to make Melbourne cleaner and safer for everyone, and for our city and laneways to be a place that people want to visit at night and where everyone feels safe and welcome,” he continues.

The plan would also set up a $2m grants program, which would allow building owners to apply for grants to improve their facade lighting.

The catenary lighting at the intersection of Lonsdale St and Russell St. Picture: Ronstan Tensile Architecture

Reece, speaking candidly, says he accepts that many Melburnians do not feel that the city is as safe or as clean as it should be, especially in areas like Elizabeth St.

“I will do whatever it takes to make sure Melbourne is safe and clean,” he says.

Evoking the cult film The Castle, Reece says Melbourne is all about the “vibe”.

But he admits that the “Melbourne vibe” needs to be, well, dialled up.

“We need to continue to bring people back to the city whether that’s international students, people coming into the city for major events, festivals and markets — and build that Melbourne vibe, which we are so famous for,” he says.

And he acknowledges that office workers also play their parts in this.

“I would like to see more office workers back in the city,” he adds.

“I think it’s good for employees, I think it’s good for businesses, I think it’s good for the city, if we were to see more office workers back in the city.

“The trend is positive in that regard and I do think over the rest of 2024 and through 2025, you’re going to see the level of attendance in offices continue to rise.”

Reece also wants to see Melbourne grow as a “business powerhouse” with more global headquarters and start-ups, but he promises to continue offering help to small traders.

“I’ll be putting a lot of energy into driving the city economy,” he states.

Reece says he is committed to the Greenline project. Picture: Supplied

Melbourne last week slipped to the world’s fourth-most liveable city, according to the Global Liveability Index, having once held the crown for seven years in a row.

Reece says protecting Melbourne’s world-famous liveability is “absolutely critical”.

“I plan to ensure that the city is investing more in greening Melbourne,” he says, describing how he wants to see new parks, new green spaces and greenery on buildings.

“Victoria was once known as the Garden State.

“I would like to see Melbourne become known as the Garden City.”

When asked whether this plan included the $316m Greenline project, which aims to create 4km of connected walkways and parks along the north bank of the Yarra River, Reece confirmed that he was “committed to seeing it through”.

“The Greenline project is happening,” he continues.

“The media often refers to it as Sally Capp’s Greenline project.

“I want it to become Melbourne’s Greenline project because … it’s really going to finally unlock the full potential of the Yarra River.”

Reece says he will have his own style, different of that of former lord mayor Sally Capp. Picture: David Caird

Having led the planning portfolio, Reece is also prepared to “approve more high quality and affordable housing” in the growth areas of the city – namely Fishermans Bend, Arden and Macaulay – and provide more support and services for those sleeping rough.

While admitting it is a “little bit boring”, he says ensuring Melbourne has a well-run Town Hall and balanced budget is also a “top priority”.

For the first time in five years, the City of Melbourne wrangled its 2024-25 budget back in the black, with a “modest surplus” of $101,000.

“It’s only by getting the budget back into surplus … that we are able to continue to invest in the services and the infrastructure that the community relies on,” Reece says.

“If we can’t run a good administration and balance the budget, then the people of Melbourne should not give us permission to do everything else.”

Reece was presented with the mayoral robes and $1m gold chains at Town Hall on Tuesday. Picture: David Caird

Reece, who last week said leading Melbourne will be the “honour” of his life, now joins pollster Gary Morgan and Labor’s Phil Reed in the mayoral race.

But the election appears to be shaping up as a battle of the ex-deputies, with fellow former deputy lord mayor Arron Wood all but certain to run.

With about 70 days to go until the council enters caretaker mode and about 100 days until the election in October, Reece has a limited amount of time as Lord Mayor to woo voters.

But he is confident that people will know his priorities and vision.

While full of praise for his predecessor Ms Capp – calling her his favourite Lord Mayor of Melbourne and the late Ron Walker a close second – he is ready to lead in his own way.

“I’m a different person to Sally Capp,” he says.

“I’ll have my own style, I’ll have my own priorities.”

Reece says his family love living in Carlton. Picture: Josie Hayden

Ever since Ms Capp announced she would not contest the election, rumours started flying that Reece would run.

But he had consistently downplayed those suggestions, refusing to confirm his plans until he had sat down with his family to make a decision.

In his words, his wife Felicity Pantelidis – deputy chief executive at law firm Maurice Blackburn – and three daughters, aged 16, 14 and 11, keep him “sane”.

“I actually can’t put into words how much I love my family,” he says.

“They are literally my everything and without them, I am nothing.

“They’re there at the start of the day, there at the end of the day.”

Reece has a lengthy resume, having worked as a lawyer, journalist, public servant, political adviser, academic, councillor and deputy lord mayor.

“It’s fair to say, as the father of three daughters, they keep me well and truly grounded,” he says, smiling.

“Their level of interest in dad’s day job is fairly minimal, which I think is a healthy thing.”

Reece hits the netball court with his daughters. Picture: Josie Hayden

Reece lives in Carlton, describing his home as a shrine to the Matildas, Taylor Swift and, of course, the Blues.

“We love living in the inner city,” he says.

“On weekends, I’m basically dad’s taxi.

“I ferry my kids around to various sporting and social commitments.

“My daughters play netball and football and soccer, so you’re just as likely to find me running the boundary at an inner city football ground as you are seeing me at a City of Melbourne event on the weekend, which is just the way I like it.”

Despite previously working as a senior adviser to former prime minister Julia Gillard and serving as state secretary of the Labor Party, Reece will run for Lord Mayor as an independent.

“I’ll be running as an independent because it’s the right thing to do,” he says.

“My judgment is I can best represent the people of Melbourne if I run as an independent.”

The tragic Carlton supporter, using AFL lingo, has described Melbourne since becoming Lord Mayor as the “best and fairest” city in the world.

“And I’m committed to working hard every day to make Melbourne even better and fairer,” he adds.