Developer Donors Behind Proposed $1–5 Million Fountain Finally Named
Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece has identified the Marcocci family as the donors behind a proposed $1–5 million fountain for Argyle Square in Carlton, following an investigation by The Age. The disclosure comes after Reece declined for 18 months and across three media interviews to name the family. The Marcocci family, who have property development interests, donated $10,000 to Reece's 2024 election campaign through their investment vehicle, Lou Nominees. The family also owns land in the Macaulay precinct, which the City of Melbourne is considering for compulsory acquisition. Reece and Deputy Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell stated they would recuse themselves from any council vote regarding the fountain donation.
"The use of 'gifts,' including paying for construction costs, is another well-known red flag and corruption risk." — Clancy Moore, CEO of Transparency International Australia
Donor Identification and Project Details
- Lord Mayor Nick Reece named the Marcocci family as the donors behind the proposed fountain on ABC Radio Melbourne.
- The fountain is proposed for Argyle Square in Carlton, with an estimated cost between $1 million and $5 million.
- The fountain has not been donated; it is a proposed future project.
- Reece had previously promised during his 2024 election campaign to build a fountain celebrating the Italian community, funded by what he described as a "very generous Italian family."
- The Marcocci family originally built wealth through University Foods Group (a meat wholesaler) and later expanded into property development through the Marcocci Property Group.
- The family owns the La Storia development, an $80 million apartment complex on Cardigan Street, adjacent to the proposed fountain site.
- Family patriarch Eusebio Marcocci stated in a November 2024 interview with Italian newspaper Il Globo that the fountain was intended to symbolize the migrant community's contribution.
Campaign Donations and Financial Context
- The Marcocci family's investment vehicle, Lou Nominees, donated $10,000 to Reece's lord mayoral election campaign on September 24, 2024.
- Reece's campaign, known as "Team Nick," raised nearly $1 million from approximately 150 donors.
- During his campaign, Reece pledged not to accept donations from property developers.
- Victoria allows property developer donations to local politicians. Other donors to Reece's campaign with proposed Melbourne developments include the Marriner Group and the Myer family.
- New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory have banned donations from property developers. Queensland had a ban until it was overturned by the Crisafulli government. South Australia has outlawed all political donations.
Conflicts of Interest and Council Actions
- Reece stated he would recuse himself from any council vote regarding the fountain donation.
- Reece characterized the Marcocci donors as "property owners" rather than developers, stating he was not aware of any live development applications from the family at the time of the donation.
- Reece said he was not aware that Lou Nominees was owned by the Marcocci family until the Macaulay Structure Plan came before council.
- Team Nick councillors have recused themselves from votes eight times during the first 18 months of the council term, including two votes related to the Macaulay precinct on December 2, 2025, and March 17, 2026.
- A City of Melbourne spokeswoman stated that governance advice determined no conflict existed for votes on related open space provisions in the Macaulay Structure Plan.
- The council voted to investigate a planning scheme amendment that could allow compulsory acquisition of private land for parks, including the Marcocci-owned property at 64-90 Sutton Street in North Melbourne.
- Councillors Roshena Campbell, Kevin Louey, and Mark Scott have also recused themselves from several council decisions due to donations.
Meetings and Council Briefings
- M3 Group, architects for the Marcocci family, met with Reece on February 5, 2025, and June 23, 2025, to discuss "delivery of public infrastructure," which included the fountain proposal.
- On July 29, 2025, M3 Group and University Food gave a councillor forum briefing at Argyle Square to five councillors about the fountain proposal.
- Councillors Philip Le Liu and Andrew Rowse had separate meetings with M3 Group in August 2025 to discuss development permits.
- Reece stated he could not recall whether a Marcocci family member attended the meetings and said he was not aware M3 Group was opposing Macaulay planning scheme amendments at the time.
Council Positions
- Most councillors either declined to comment or did not respond when asked for their position on the fountain proposal.
- Three councillors indicated they would consider supporting the proposal if the final proposal had merits.
- Independent councillor Andrew Rowse said the proposal should not be rejected solely due to the donor's connection to the mayor's campaign.
- Councillor Mark Scott stated he would evaluate whether he had a conflict of interest due to campaign donations.
- Councillor Gladys Liu said she would consider the fountain on its merits if the matter comes forward.
- Councillor Owen Guest noted during a March 2026 meeting that four councillors recused themselves from a land acquisition motion due to conflicts, stating the matter was serious regardless of whether purchase proceeds.
- Councillor Rowse said he was unaware the Marcocci family was donating the fountain and also owned land in the Macaulay precinct.
Legislative and Political Context
- The Victorian government has not included campaign donation restrictions for local council elections in its latest legislation.
- Local Government Minister Paul Hamer introduced a bill to enhance council governance standards, but it does not address donation caps or bans.
- A government spokeswoman stated donation reforms would be considered before the next council elections in 2028.
- In July 2025, Reece requested a state government review of donation laws, asking for consideration of banning donations from property developers and introducing continuous donation reporting.
- Current rules give council candidates 40 days after elections to provide details of their donations.
- The anti-corruption investigation Operation Sandon by IBAC into the City of Casey Council recommended that "giving voters access to this information before elections reduces the risk of donations enabling improper access and influence."
- Premier Jacinta Allan did not commit to banning developer donations at state and local government levels, stating she needed to seek an update on policy work.
- Shadow Attorney-General James Newbury said the Coalition does not support industry-specific donation bans, arguing it is not reasonable to exclude people from the democratic process.
- Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandall called for bans on developer donations and real-time disclosures.
Integrity Expert Statements
- Transparency International Australia CEO Clancy Moore stated that the situation shows "the risks of allowing these private interests to make donations to local councils. The use of 'gifts,' including paying for construction costs, is another well-known red flag and corruption risk." Moore also said the change of local government minister should not delay donation reform.
- Accountability Round Table spokesperson Dr. Colleen Lewis called for changes to Victoria's donation laws to prevent developer donations to councils, calling donations a fundamental integrity issue.
- Local governance expert Rhys Thomas noted that council candidates can still receive unlimited donations, potentially anonymously through campaign groups.
Public Response
- Park visitors in Argyle Square expressed mixed opinions about the proposed fountain.
- Some supported the idea as a way to improve the park and increase public use of the space.
- Others questioned whether philanthropic funding could be better used and raised concerns about the donor's motives and the design suitability.
Additional Context
- The space for the fountain project was included in the 2004 Argyle Square masterplan.
- The Marcocci family relocated their wholesale meat business from near the square during the pandemic.
- The approval for the Marcocci family's Carlton complex was issued under the previous council term.
- A spokesperson for the Local Government Inspectorate said they treat all matters confidentially and could not comment on any investigation.