Yarra Mayor Stephen Jolly spearheaded the call, arguing that escalating costs and more than $16.5 million in shifted service expenses have left his council struggling to maintain essential community programs.
Port Phillip Mayor Alex Makin joined the call, posing with Jolly for an editorial photo outside Melbourne Town Hall (with the notable absence of the third musketeer, Lord Mayor Nick Reece).
But in true Yes Minister fashion, Lord Mayor Nick Reece labelled the proposal a “bold idea,” pointing to deep inconsistencies in service levels across municipal boundaries—differences he said illustrate a system no longer “fit for purpose.”
As the story gathered momentum, the media commentary rose to fever pitch:
“Money woes spark calls for Melbourne council merger,” declared 9News.
“Inner‑city mega‑council floated as mayors face financial cliff,” screamed The Age.
“Three Melbourne councils propose merger,” reported ABC World Today in a national broadcast.
But within hours, the headline‑grabbing story was starting to unravel.
Mayor Jolly was describing the merger as a last resort, while Mayor Makin was telling 3AW that “this is not a story about amalgamation—this is a story about cost shifting.”
Predictably, the Victorian Government showed little enthusiasm. Premier Jacinta Allan dismissing the push, saying councils should “focus on the job.”
And yet, the three mayors were clearly pleased with themselves. How much media coverage or community discussion would have been generated by a media release about the state government putting the financial squeeze on local government? Probably zip, zero or zilch.
Instead, cost shifting was being talked about. That enabled Mayor Makin to talk about the lower contribution by the State to essential services like local libraries. “That means council has to find $1.5 million extra every year to keep libraries going,” he said.
Was it a worthy ruse?
Let’s call it a freelance folly. None of the mayors or councils issued an official media statement about the merger idea. Unsurprisingly, the Premier brushed it off as kite‑flying, and the council workers’ union lashed it as a “thought bubble” that jeopardises jobs and services. No doubt the three CEOs choked on their Bircher muesli – poor souls.
But as wiser people have said, be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
Only nine months until the State election
With the next State election scheduled for Saturday 28 November 2026, scrutiny of state funding and the fiasco of the suspected $15 billion Big Build blow‑out are set to collide at every opportunity.
TWiSK will be watching.
