Melbourne lord mayor will not contest next election

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Sally Capp has announced she will not seek another term as Melbourne lord mayor.

In a statement issued to social media, she said it had been an honour and a privilege to represent the people of Melbourne.

“I have decided that at 56, having spent my 50s so far at Town Hall, it’s time for me to seek new opportunities to propel me into my next decade,” she said.

“I want to acknowledge the City of Melbourne team and Melbourne’s residents, traders and stakeholders across industries that are so critical to this city. Your passion has been evident to me every day and has shaped a council program focused on what our city needs and how we can make a positive difference together.

“There is still plenty to do before I leave, including delivering the final annual plan and Budget of this council term.”

Capp will depart in June to avoid a mayoral byelection ahead of council elections in October.

She was elected lord Mayor in 2018 in a byelection after the resignation of former lord mayor Robert Doyle following sexual harassment claims. She was reelected in 2020.

Capp said the city was in dire need of leadership when she was elected.

“There were significant internal and external issues – including a culture of unacceptable councillor behaviour and delays on major projects, such as the renewal of Queen Victoria Market,” she said.

“We faced acts of terrorism in the city, followed by the profound challenges of the global pandemic and long lockdowns.

“Despite this, together we have driven the revitalisation of this magnificent city – emerging as Australia’s largest city, the world’s third most liveable, and the fourth best student city globally.

“We have seen record-breaking crowds at every major event recently, driving up foot traffic and boosting business across the city.

“I know hardship is still a reality for many business owners and residents, but the upward trajectory is undeniable. We are once again the driver of Victoria’s economy and a major contributor on the national stage.”

Capp is chair of the Council of Capital Cities Lord Mayors, and also a member of the federal government’s Urban Policy Forum. In 2023, she was appointed an officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the people of Melbourne, local government, business and the community.

She was the first woman to hold the post of agent-general for Victoria in the UK, Europe and Israel. She has served as the CEO for the Committee for Melbourne and Victorian executive director of the Property Council of Australia.

She is involved in a number of charities, currently sitting on the board of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, the Mary Jane Lewis Scholarship Foundation and the Melbourne University Faculty of Business and Economics.

She was named McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year in 2019 for her work building a more consensus-based culture at Melbourne Town Hall.