Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece asks about support to replace Sally Capp

Sources have told the Herald Sun Nicholas Reece has been asking business community members if they’d get behind him to replace Sally Capp if she retired.

Nicholas Reece has been trying to see how much support he’d have for the lord mayoralty if Sally Capp was to stand down. Picture: Jason Edwards

Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece has put feelers out to the business community to ask if they would support him to run for the city’s top job if Sally Capp decides to retire.

Sources in the city’s business community have told the Herald Sun that Mr Reece or his representatives had contacted them about potentially supporting a bid for the lord mayoralty – but only if Ms Capp declared her intention to stand down.

However, Mr Reece denied he was seeking support as a potential candidate Lord Mayor at the next council elections in October.

“These claims are simply not true,” he said.

“My focus is on working with the Lord Mayor and councillors on delivering results for the people and businesses of Melbourne.”

Nicholas Reece and his representatives have been asking about whether he’d have enough support to replace Sally Capp if she retired. Picture: Jason Edwards

Several sources from the business community have told the Herald Sun that Mr Reece’s pitch for their support was to “continue delivering” for the city.

“It was pretty tone deaf given the state the city is in,” one source said.

“Nick may be a personable bloke but this city desperately needs leadership and most businesses will be looking to support someone who can actually get things done.

“The council is not firing on all cylinders and there’s a strong desire in the business community for a Lord Mayor and a council CEO with commercial acumen to get the city back on track.”

Nicholas Reece was elected as Deputy Lord Mayor in November 2020. Picture: Jason Edwards

It comes as the Herald Sun understands Ms Capp is considering her future in the role.

Under the City of Melbourne Act, the Lord Mayor can resign within six months of the end of the council term and no by-election would be required.

The Act states: “if the office of the Lord Mayor becomes vacant, the Deputy Lord Mayor becomes the Lord Mayor on the passing of a resolution by the Council that an election to fill the vacancy not be held.”

The position of Deputy Mayor can also be filled by a vote of the council.

The council is aiming to start construction on the Greenline – Ms Capp’s pet project – in April, which is around six months out from the next election.
Some within Town Hall are speculating that Ms Capp may cut the ribbon on the Greenline and announce her retirement and attempt to install Mr Reece in the role to give him the best chance at winning the next election.

Nicholas Reece has denied asking questions about replacing Sally Capp if she was to retire. Picture: Brendan Beckett

The Greenline is expected to be a key election issue, with the project suffering from a funding black hole of more than $200 million.

Candidates likely to oppose either Ms Capp or Mr Reece in the council elections are expected to campaign on pausing or scrapping the project due to the parlous state of Town Hall’s finances.

The City of Melbourne predicted a deficit of $17.5 million for this financial year and overall borrowings of $234.8 million, according to this year’s budget.