Melbourne is back in the game – and the numbers back it up

The federal government’s decision to fund critical city infrastructure confirms a fundamental shift: Melbourne is once again a city that government cannot afford to ignore.

For too long, that wasn’t the case. While other cities secured major infrastructure investment, Melbourne wasn’t at the centre of the conversation.

That changed at the last federal election and with it came renewed attention and urgent investment.

Governments respond to incentives. When a city matters electorally, it starts to matter fiscally.

This shift comes at a critical time. Melbourne is Australia’s fastest growing capital and on track to become the nation’s largest city in the early 2030s.

But growth on this scale doesn’t look after itself.

Today, the City of Melbourne generates around 22 per cent of Victoria’s economy from just 38 square kilometres – an extraordinary strength, but one that places enormous pressure on infrastructure and services.

We are already seeing the strain. Southbank has no local secondary school. We are short at least 16 sports fields and community facilities.

These aren’t luxuries. They’re essential to liveability and community wellbeing.

Melbourne is growing. But without coordinated investment, we risk growing poorly. Opportunities like Victoria Barracks, E-Gate and Moonee Ponds Creek could deliver new schools, open space, community facilities and genuinely affordable housing, but councils cannot do this alone.

The key levers – planning, transport, education and housing - sit with state and federal governments.

When Melbourne thrives, Victoria thrives. When we fall behind, the whole state pays the price.

At Town Hall, we’re stepping up by investing in parks, infrastructure and community safety. We're proud of this and prepared to do what we need to achieve our goals. But no global city succeeds on local effort alone.

As we approach the state election, Melburnians should demand more. The scale of our growth demands ambition, backed by clear plans and real investment.

Melbourne is back at the centre of the national conversation. Now we must use this moment.

Because Melbourne doesn’t just matter. It drives the nation. •