The Victorian Farmers Federation is calling on the state government to head back to the drawing board after a disappointing budget investment in regional freight infrastructure.
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VFF president David Jochinke said investment in road and rail infrastructure is needed to ensure agriculture and regional industries can affordably and safely get their product to port and market.
"Regional roads continue to crumble and freight trains crawl to port at a huge cost to industry," Mr Jochinke said.
"We see billions flowing to metro and passenger rail projects, yet critical freight corridors continue to be ignored.
"This doesn't make us feel like we received our fair share."
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Mr Jochinke said the budget invested an average $19.6 billion a year in infrastructure, yet there is little more than $300 million allocated for regional road maintenance.
VFF grains group president Ashley Fraser said investment in freight rail was essential to get trucks off roads and reduce Victoria's future road maintenance bill.
"Walking away from the Murray Basin Rail Project will only push more trucks onto roads," Mr Fraser said.
"We're calling on the government to do the planning now to ensure next year's budget invests big in regional Victorian freight infrastructure."
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy criticised the government's budget, citing no health funding and very little cash for roads.
"The government set aside $2.8 billion on roads, yet we will receive $4 million for the Henty Highway from Horsham to Lascelles," she said.
"This is a drop in the ocean for a road spanning about 145 kilometres."
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