Urgent motion on Regent Theatre sale proposal debated at Future Melbourne committee meeting

Lord Mayor Nick Reece has been criticised for being “out of touch” as the majority of his fellow councillors publicly declared the council has no intention to sell off the asset.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece is hoping to keep the city’s top job. Picture: Aaron Francis

Lord Mayor Nick Reece has stood by his plan to sell the City of Melbourne’s share of the iconic Regent Theatre, despite a majority of his fellow councillors publicly declaring that the council has “no intention” to sell off the prized asset.

Mr Reece on Sunday revealed that, if returned to the city’s top job, he would sell its 51 per cent share in the heritage-listed theatre and reinvest millions of dollars into Melbourne’s arts and cultural scene.

The state government owns the remaining 49 per cent share of the Collins St venue, which is estimated to be worth between $40-50m.

But his plan was widely criticised, with Mr Reece initially unable to guarantee that the 95-year-old building would remain a theatre following a potential sale.

Two contenders in the mayoral race, Arron Wood and current councillor Jamal Hakim, have both pledged to save the theatre and keep it in public hands if elected.

The City of Melbourne part owns the Regent Theatre. Picture: Steven Grace

But the issue took centre stage on Tuesday night at a Future Melbourne committee meeting when an urgent motion was put forward by Mr Hakim.

“The perception has arisen that the council might sell the Regent Theatre and this is unfair on the tenant and the other partner who owns the (theatre),” he said.

“This (motion) is to correct the record and the council should resolve to make a statement.”

Mr Hakim sought support for a motion which stated that “the sale of the Regent Theatre would require mutual consent by the council and the state government, and that the council has no intention or policy basis to pursue this”.

The Herald Sun understands that the state government has no plans to sell its share.

The motion was ultimately carried, with six out of nine councillors voting to note that the council has “no intention or policy basis” to pursue the sale.

It was seconded by councillor Philip Le Liu, who the Herald Sun understands is running for re-election on Mr Wood’s ticket.

The Regent Theatre has a full calendar of events scheduled until the end of 2025, including the Australian Ballet. Picture: David Caird

But Mr Reece hit back prior to the vote, describing the motion as “nonsensical” and an “act of electioneering”.

“There have recently been statements made in the context of the upcoming election about that possible (sale),” he said.

“But of course that was done, very clearly, in the context of an upcoming election and therefore, by definition, is not a matter which would be dealt with in this term of council and, by definition, could only be dealt with by a future council, if there was support by the members of a future council for that to occur.

“What this is the use of the Future Melbourne Committee for essentially electioneering.”

He added: “I can’t vote for something that lowers the standard of how we’ve conducted ourselves in council over this time.”

Greens councillors Rohan Leppert and Dr Olivia Ball, Labor councillor Davydd Griffiths and councillors Mr Hakim, Mr Le Liu and Elizabeth O’Sullivan Myles voted in favour of the motion.

Mr Reece, his running mate Roshena Campbell and Kevin Louey, who ran on the same ticket as Mr Reece and Ms Campbell at the last election, voted against it.

After the meeting, Mr Wood told the Herald Sun that the vote confirmed that Mr Reece was “out of touch” and “needs to reverse his decision to sell the Regent Theatre”.

“At a time when our city’s arts sector needs confidence, certainty and positive leadership we have got the exact opposite from Mr Reece,” he said.

Fellow lord mayoral candidate Greg Bisinella from community ticket Voices for Melbourne said Mr Reece’s push to sell the Regent Theatre was an “ill-conceived thought bubble”.

“Yes, it’s a good idea to help community arts groups but why do that by selling off council assets,” he said. “It smacks of desperation.”

Mr Bisinella also questioned the big-spending policies of some of the candidates as the council had a skinny surplus of $101,000 from a $800m budget.

“Where’s the money coming from? We should be told.”

Mr Wood and his running mate Erin Deering have pledged to save the Regent Theatre from sale. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Police Minister Anthony Carbines, speaking on behalf of the state government on Sunday, said it would wait until the election was over to discuss any proposal with the lord mayor elect.

“Whoever is running the city … at that time when elections conclude, government can have its discussions with whatever the community has determined is its pathway into the future,” he said.

Mr Reece pledged to use proceeds fromt he sale to create a City Solstice Winter Festival, fund new artist residencies and creative hubs for non-profit art groups and support neighbourhood theatres, among other things.

But he was forced to clarify his proposal on Sunday afternoon, following a press conference.

“We’ll make it a condition of sale that anyone who wants to buy the city’s share has to agree to continue operating it as a theatre — forever,” he said in a statement.

However, the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance said governments should not support the creative sector by selling off valued community assets such as the Regent Theatre.

Former premier Jeff Kennett, who privatised essential services, such as public transport, electricity, gas and water distribution, during his time in office, also said Mr Reece’s plan “should be opposed”.

“The theatre represents the best of the diversity of Victoria,” he posted to X.

“The arts need recurrent funding, not one-offs.

“$40m be good for a year. Short termism. Populist politics.”