Property Council of Australia boss Sally Capp backed in race for lord mayor

SOLID support is rallying around state Property Council of Australia boss Sally Capp to be the next lord mayor of Melbourne.

SOLID support is rallying around state Property Council of Australia boss Sally Capp to be the next lord mayor of Melbourne.

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Sections of business and the general community are believed to be encouraging Ms Capp to run at the May 12 poll.

However, some observers say the Greens must be considered the early favourite to snatch Town Hall’s top job.

Ms Capp, a former Committee for Melbourne executive director, said on Thursday she was still deciding whether to run, but appreciated the growing support.

Property Council of Australia Victorian executive director Sally Capp.

“This is a really serious job and it needs someone with experience to deliver what’s required for what is a huge organisation with a big budget,” she told the Herald Sun.

Ms Capp was backed by prominent businesswoman and Reserve Bank Board member Carol Schwartz, who praised her wide experience, including a stint as Victoria’s Agent-General in London.

“She has all the skills, she’s intelligent, she’s a passionate Melburnian involved in the promotion of Melbourne — she would make a superb lord mayor,” she said.

Robert Doyle has resigned as lord mayor. Picture: AAP

A potential rival to Ms Capp, businesswoman and Western Bulldogs figure Susan Alberti, has ruled herself out of the mayoral by-election, triggered by the resignation of Robert Doyle on February 4 amid sexual harassment claims which he has denied.

Pollster Gary Morgan has confirmed he will run, while other potential candidates include Acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood, Crown executive and socialite Ann Peacock, ex-federal MP Phil Cleary, former councillor Ken Ong and footy celebrity Sam Newman.

Acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood. Picture: AAP

Greens councillor Cathy Oke, who made harassment claims against Mr Doyle, has been mentioned as a possible candidate, but the party is yet to have a selection process.

City councillor and veteran ALP political strategist Nicholas Reece said based on ­previous results “the lord ­mayoralty is the Greens to lose”.

“For an alternative candidate to get up they will need to rally the support of the business community, as well as have appeal to residents in the inner city,” he said.

One source said a wildcard in the election could be a candidate like Mr Ong or his ally Cr Philip Le Liu in scooping up a lot of Asian community votes, including overseas students who are eligible to vote if registered.

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