Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Sally Capp ‘pulls a Dan Andrews’ as she makes shock decision about her future

Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Sally Capp will stand down before the end of her second term in office, stepping aside at the end of June ahead of elections in October.

‘It is with mixed emotions that I am announcing I will not be contesting the next local government election,’ she said in a statement on Thursday morning.

‘I love this job – it is an honour and privilege to represent the people of Melbourne.’

The city was in ‘dire need of leadership when I was elected’, with ‘a culture of unacceptable councillor behaviour and delays on major projects’, Ms Capp said.

Her decision to quit comes just six months after Victoria Premier Dan Andrews  made a similar decision to quit ahead of the upcoming state elections.

She pointed to a renewal project of the Queen Victoria Market, transitional homelessness accommodation and battery storage schemes as key achievements.

Appearing on ABC’s News Breakfast on Thursday morning, Ms Capp said ‘since all my 50s so far have been in town hall, it’s time for me to move on’.

‘I’m encouraging everyone to get involved in public office. It’s a great way to get involved,’ she said.

Ms Capp relished the citizenship ceremonies the most.

‘We’re the biggest and I think best city in Australia,’ she said.

The ‘shocks’ of the Covid-19 pandemic were still being felt, as weekday ‘rhythms’ in the city were still not back to pre-pandemic levels, she said.

Copping ‘unfair’ commentary had only strengthened her resolve, Ms Capp said in response to a question about sexist comments.

Ms Capp ruled out state or federal politics next.