Melbourne is rightly proud of its world-beating quality of life. How a town at the far end of the antipodes rose to become the world's most liveable city, four years in a row, is a study in good planning and good government. More specifically, it has been achieved through significant investment in infrastructure over decades.

But sadly, that is a lesson Victoria's leaders seem to have forgotten, particularly when it comes to the transport system. Considered proposals, proper deliberation and appropriate investment has been replaced by pipedreams, political bickering and underinvestment.

Illustration: Jim Pavlidis.

If the state government and parliament do not get their act together in the next term then the city's reputation is at serious risk. Because there is an incontrovertible reality that policymakers still do not seem to comprehend: Melbourne's population has grown by a staggering 25 per cent or 900,000 since 2000 to 4.35 million – and it is a trend that is set to continue.

Everywhere you look, the city's transport system is struggling to cope. With a state election looming, there are two key reforms that voters should demand to help get Melbourne back on track.