The Victorian Farmers Federation says the use of the repaired Rainbow to Dimboola freight rail line justifies more money being invested in the stalled Murray Basin Rail Project.
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Member for Western Victoria Stuart Grimley has joined a chorus of voices asking for Victoria's Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan to make the project's business case public.
The $440 million project ran out of money last year, after only being half finished. The Hopetoun railway line was upgraded as part of an early stage of this.
On Monday, Ports and Freight Minister Melissa Horne said 33 return freight services had shifted around 66,000 tonnes of grain, since the Rainbow-Dimboola line was reopened in April after extensive sleeper replacement works.
VFF Grains Group president Ashley Fraser said the numbers demonstrate the high demand for rail freight from the grains industry in the Wimmera and Mallee.
"We know the demand is there, industry knows the demand is there and here is the government's data demonstrating the demand is there. All that is required is a willingness to get on with the job," Mr Fraser said.
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"If they (the Victorian Government) build it, absolutely, the trains will come."
Mr Fraser said Victorian freight volumes are expected to triple by 2051.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, who is reviewing the revised business case has supported calls for it to be made public. The VFF, and key grain accumulators, also say the secrecy surrounding the revised Murray Basin Rail Project's business case must end.
Justice Party member for western Victoria Stuart Grimley has written to Mr McCormack, asking for the federal government's position on the new business case.
"During (recent) discussions, many of those local stakeholders have expressed their frustration and concern that they were not consulted during the recent development for the Victorian Government of a revised business case for the project," his letter reads.
"In turn, they are also concerned that the revised business case may be proposing a (disastrous) reduction in the size and scope of the overall project that will significantly diminish its benefits."
A spokesman for Mr McCormack said the revised business case was a Victorian Government document.
He said the federal government supported the business case's release "to ensure stakeholders have visibility over its findings and recommendations and can be part of the process to address the issues".
New program to support inland rail business cases
On Tuesday Mr McCormack also announced the second round of expressions of interest had opened for Inland Rail Interface Improvement Program.
A spokesman said farmers, councils and state governments could apply for help developing business cases to better connect to Inland Rail.
Applications close September 18.
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