Politics in Victoria is weird. If you’ve ever spent time in Melbourne, you’ve probably noticed the sheer amount of construction, the tram bells, and the constant hum of a city that never seems to stop trying to reinvent itself. At the center of this chaos is the Lord Mayor of Melbourne. But here is the thing that trips most people up: the Lord Mayor doesn't actually run the whole city. Not even close.
When people talk about the City of Melbourne, they’re usually thinking of the vast metropolitan sprawl that stretches from Werribee to Pakenham. In reality, the Lord Mayor’s jurisdiction is a tiny, high-stakes rectangle of land covering the CBD and a few surrounding inner suburbs like Carlton, Docklands, and North Melbourne. It’s a job that’s part CEO, part diplomat, and part punching bag for every commuter frustrated by a bike lane.
The Nick Reece Era: A New Chapter
As of late 2024 and heading into 2026, the name you need to know is Nick Reece. He wasn't originally elected to the top spot; he stepped up from Deputy Lord Mayor after Sally Capp—a powerhouse in the role—decided to call it quits mid-year in 2024. Reece then had to prove himself in the October 2024 elections. He won.
Reece is an interesting character. He’s a former journalist, a lawyer, and someone who has spent a lifetime in the "backrooms" of the Labor party, yet he runs as an independent. That’s the first rule of Melbourne City Council politics: the "Lord Mayor" title sounds regal, but the person wearing the robes is usually a master of the pragmatic middle ground. You have to be. You’re dealing with the State Government on one side and thousands of angry small business owners on the other.
He talks a lot about "the vibe." No, seriously. He’s obsessed with making Melbourne the most liveable city again, a title we lost to Vienna a few years back and haven't quite managed to claw back yet. His platform focuses heavily on cleaning up the streets, revitalizing the "manky" parts of the CBD, and ensuring the city doesn't become a ghost town on Mondays and Fridays now that everyone works from home.
Why the City of Melbourne Mayor Matters (Even If You Don't Live There)
Most of the five million people in Melbourne don't get to vote for the Lord Mayor. To vote, you have to live or own property/a business within the 37 square kilometers of the City of Melbourne municipality.
It feels unfair, right?
But the Lord Mayor is the "face" of the state. When a foreign dignitary visits, they don't meet the Mayor of Monash or the Mayor of Brimbank. They meet the Lord Mayor. This person controls the narrative of Victoria’s economy. If the CBD is thriving, the state is usually doing okay. If the CBD is struggling with vacancies and safety concerns, it drags everyone down.
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The budget they manage is massive. We are talking about hundreds of millions of dollars aimed at things like the Queen Victoria Market redevelopment—a project that has been dragging on longer than most marriages—and the Greenline Project. The Greenline is Reece’s baby, a plan to transform the north bank of the Yarra River into a continuous 4km promenade. It's ambitious. It’s expensive. It’s controversial.
The Ghost of Mayors Past
You can't talk about the current mayor without acknowledging the shoes they’re trying to fill—or avoid.
Sally Capp was the first woman directly elected to the role. She was the "cheerleader-in-chief" during the COVID-19 lockdowns, which, let’s be honest, were brutal for Melbourne. She was everywhere, wearing bright colors, trying to convince us that the city would bounce back. Her departure marked the end of an era of "relentless optimism."
Before her, there was Robert Doyle. His tenure ended in scandal and resignation following allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denied but which ultimately shadowed his long-term impact on city planning.
And then there’s the legendary John So. If you were around in the mid-2000s, you remember the "John So is my bro" t-shirts. He was the first Lord Mayor to be directly elected by the people rather than chosen by fellow councillors. He became a cult icon. That’s the level of celebrity a Lord Mayor can reach if they play their cards right.
The 2024 Election and the Shift in Power
The October 2024 election was a turning point. It wasn't just about Nick Reece. It was about a shift in what Melburnians care about. The post-pandemic grace period is officially over.
- Safety and Cleanliness: There’s a palpable sense that parts of the CBD have become "gritty" in a way that isn't charming. Graffiti, rough sleeping, and the "Elizabeth Street problem" were massive talking points.
- The "Death of the Office": With office occupancy still hovering around 60-70% on a good day, the Mayor has to find ways to lure people back.
- Transport Wars: The debate over bike lanes in Melbourne is practically a religion. You either want them everywhere or you want to rip them all up. Reece has had to walk a very thin line here, trying to appease the "green" vote without alienating the "tradie in a ute" vote.
Reece’s victory was a sign that the city wanted stability. They didn't want a radical firebrand from the Greens, and they didn't want a hard-right business candidate who would cut every social program in sight. They wanted someone who knows how the levers of power work.
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Dealing with the "State-City" Tension
Honestly, the biggest hurdle for any City of Melbourne Mayor isn't the voters—it's the Premier.
Because the CBD is so vital to the state’s economy, the Victorian State Government often steps on the council's toes. Whether it's the Metro Tunnel project or new housing density laws, the Mayor often finds out about major changes through the news just like we do. A good Lord Mayor has to be a master of "soft power." They can't fire the Premier, but they can make life very difficult for them in the media if the city’s interests are being ignored.
What’s Actually Happening on the Ground Right Now?
If you walk through the city today, you’ll see the Mayor’s fingerprints everywhere.
The Queen Victoria Market is finally seeing the "Southern Precinct" works take shape. This has been a political minefield for a decade. Traders are worried about parking. Heritage lovers are worried about the sheds. The Mayor has to be the one to stand in the middle of a group of angry butchers and tell them it’s going to be okay.
Then there’s the Greenline. This is the project that will likely define the current administration. It’s an attempt to turn the Yarra’s north bank—which is currently a bit of a concrete wasteland—into something resembling the High Line in New York. If it works, Reece is a hero. If it becomes a money pit, it’ll be the stick his opponents beat him with in the next election.
A Quick Reality Check on the "Lord Mayor" Title
People often ask: why "Lord" Mayor?
It’s a leftover from our British colonial roots. It doesn't mean they are a member of the House of Lords. It’s just a title granted by the monarch (historically) to certain cities. In Australia, the capital cities get a "Lord Mayor," while your local council in the suburbs just gets a "Mayor." It’s basically a fancy way of saying "The Mayor of the Important Bit."
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Misconceptions You Should Probably Stop Believing
- "The Mayor can fix the trains." Nope. Trains and trams are state-run. The Mayor can complain about them, but they don't own the tracks.
- "The Mayor is a member of Parliament." No. It’s a completely separate level of government. Though many use it as a stepping stone to state or federal politics.
- "The Mayor controls the police." Wrong again. Victoria Police is a state-wide body. The Council has "authorized officers" (the ones who give you parking tickets), but they aren't the cops.
What to Watch for in 2026
As we move through 2026, keep your eye on two things: housing and nightlife.
The Mayor is under massive pressure to convert empty office buildings into apartments. It sounds easy. It’s actually a technical nightmare. Plumbing, light, and ventilation in a 1980s office block don't just "convert" to a flat easily. But with the housing crisis peaking, the Lord Mayor is being looked at to slash the red tape that makes these conversions impossible.
Secondly, the "24-hour city" dream. Melbourne prides itself on its late-night culture, but since the pandemic, many kitchens close at 9:00 PM. The Mayor’s office is currently pushing initiatives to keep the city alive later, including better lighting and support for "night-time economy" managers.
Actionable Insights for Residents and Business Owners
If you actually want to engage with the City of Melbourne or understand how the Mayor's decisions affect you, don't just shout into the void on X (Twitter).
Check the "Participate Melbourne" Portal
This is where the council actually puts out plans for things like new parks or street changes. If you don't comment there, you can't really complain when the bulldozers show up.
Understand the Business Precinct Program
If you own a small business in the CBD, there are specific "precinct associations" (like the Collins Street Precinct or the Greek Precinct) that have a direct line to the Lord Mayor’s office. Joining these is how you actually get your voice heard regarding trash collection, outdoor dining permits, and street safety.
Follow the Council Meetings
They are live-streamed. If you want to see how Nick Reece and the councillors actually interact, watch a meeting. It’s surprisingly high-stakes. You’ll see exactly who is pushing for more development and who is trying to protect heritage.
The City of Melbourne Mayor is a role that requires a weird mix of ego and humility. You have to be big enough to represent a global city, but small enough to care about a broken paving slab on Flinders Lane. Whether you love the current direction or hate it, there is no denying that the person in the Town Hall has a bigger impact on the "feel" of Melbourne than almost anyone else in Victorian politics.
Keep an eye on the Greenline progress. If those trees start going in and the promenade starts looking like the renders, you’ll know the current administration is winning. If it’s still just a pile of dirt by the time the next election cycle starts whispering, expect a very different kind of Lord Mayor next time around.