The election was held as part of the statewide local government elections in Victoria, Australia.

[1] Melbourne was composed of four single-member wards using preferential voting, as well as a five-member council-wide ward using proportional representation, totalling nine councillors.

[2] This system, known as "dual voting", existed only in Melbourne at the time and was considered by the state government to be a "special arrangement".

[3] Ivan Deveson led the business-supported "Melbourne First" group and was successful at getting elected.

[4] Future lord mayor Peter Costigan ran unsuccessfully on the group's ticket.