Melbourne has a new Lord Mayor, with Nicholas Reece officially replacing Sally Capp.
Mr Reece, a former adviser to prime minister Julia Gillard and Labor state secretary, was sworn in as the city's 105th Lord Mayor on Tuesday.
The 50-year-old vowed to be a hands-on mayor who listened to residents, businesses, ratepayers, workers, international students and visitors, and said Melbourne's best days were ahead.
"Melbourne has gone through some difficult times as the most locked down city in the world," Mr Reece said in a statement.
"While the city is bouncing back, I know there are people and businesses who are still doing it tough.
"I won't shy away from the challenges - I will be a Lord Mayor for every Melburnian."
Mr Reece was elected as a City of Melbourne councillor in 2016 and became deputy lord mayor to Ms Capp in late 2020 following her re-election.
The father-of-three thanked Ms Capp for her "extraordinary energy and drive" after six years in the role.
He will remain in the position until October's council elections.
Australian Associated Press
