The relation between the monopole transition strength and existence of cluster structure in the excited states is discussed based on an algebraic cluster model. The structure of $^{12}$C is studied with a 3$\alpha$ model, and the wave function for the relative motions between $\alpha$ clusters are described by the symplectic algebra $Sp(2,R)_z$, which corresponds to the linear combinations of $SU(3)$ states with different multiplicities. Introducing $Sp(2,R)_z$ algebra works well for reducing the number of the basis states, and it is also shown that states connected by the strong monopole transition are classified by a quantum number $\Lambda$ of the $Sp(2,R)_z$ algebra.