Lord mayor Robert Doyle’s bid to steal Canberra’s capital crown for Melbourne

LORD mayor Robert Doyle’s bid to make Melbourne and Sydney co-capitals of Australia was a gag. But could it really work? CAST YOUR VOTE.

IT was a bold idea that got people taking — Melbourne and Sydney should become the new co-capitals of Australia.

Lord mayor Robert Doyle said yesterday Canberra had become “a failed experiment” and called for people to vote in a plebiscite at this year’s federal election.

But while some might have guessed the plan was an April Fool’s gag, is it an idea really worth exploring?

IS CANBERRA THE BEST CHOICE AS OUR CAPITAL? COMMENT BELOW.

READ MORE: Things Melburnians never say

Melbourne hosted the country’s first parliament, opening on May 9, 1901 at the Royal Exhibition Building, which now carries a UNESCO World Heritage listing.

Federal Parliament was moved to Canberra in 1927, following an international competition to design Australia’s new capital.

American architect Walter Burley Griffin was the winner.

An early morning scene across Lake Burley Griffin towards parliament. Picture: iStock

Changing face of Melbourne: How the city skyline has grown.

Other places considered as options for the nation’s capital included Orange, 254km west of Sydney, and Bombala, 485km south of the New South Wales capital.

Melbourne has been crowned the world’s most liveable city for five years running and will overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous city by the 2050s.

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Why melbourne was great in 1994

Our forgotten mansions that are no more

Melbourne’s urban myths put to the test

Sydney’s iconic landmarks, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Picture: Destination NSW