It comes as Census 2016 data shows two thirds of Australia’s population live in capital cities.

Victoria recorded the biggest population increase of any state, with the number of residents up 10.7 per cent from the previous Census in 2011.

This was buoyed largely by Greater Melbourne’s population swelling by about half a million people to 4,485,211 in 2016.

This was in stark contrast to the population declines in many regional and rural areas across the state.

Cr Clarke said though Horsham Rural City’s population had increased since the previous Census, continued growth was vital.

“We can’t rest on our laurels. It is really important we continue to have investment and provide opportunities for growth,” she said.

“Regional Victoria has stagnated for the past four or five years, and the state government is realising it needs to do something about it.

“The rail funding they announced is one good thing, but the government also needs to realise that regional is not just Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong.

“They have to think more broadly, because the reality is Melbourne will not cope with influx of people they're expecting and continual population gain.”

Cr Clarke said though Horsham and the Wimmera were attractive in terms of housing and livability, adequate service provisions were vital.

“We need to provide services in regional areas to encourage people to move out of cities,” she said.

“We can have a big impact in supporting regional Victoria in that regard.”