Politics · Australia · 3 hrs ago
Victorian Coalition promises to restore passenger trains to Mildura and Dimboola
The Victorian Coalition has promised to restore passenger trains to Mildura and Dimboola if it wins the November state election.
The plan would bring trains back to Mildura for the first time since the service was cut in 1993.
Mildura is the state’s largest regional city without passenger rail, and travellers now need a coach to reach a train at Swan Hill or take an overnight bus to Melbourne.
The Coalition’s $51.2 million Wimmera Mallee Rail plan would provide three return services a week on each route.
Trains to Mildura would stop at several towns before connecting with Melbourne-bound services at Maryborough, while the Dimboola route would serve Horsham and other towns before connecting at Ararat.
The Coalition says services would start by mid-2029, with initial funding for infrastructure, possible trains and operating costs over four years.
Supporters say restored rail would offer people in the Wimmera and Mallee a more affordable way to travel and stay connected to the rest of Victoria.
The Victorian Liberal National Coalition has promised to restore passenger train services to Mildura and Dimboola if it wins the November state election.
The proposed services would begin by mid-2029 under the Coalition’s $51.2 million Wimmera Mallee Rail plan.
Each corridor would have three return services a week.
The Mildura service was cut in 1993, and the city remains the largest regional city in Victoria without passenger rail.
The Coalition said the initial investment would cover infrastructure improvements, possible train acquisition and operating costs over four years.
- Who
- The Victorian Liberal National Coalition made the promise.
- What
- It plans to restore passenger trains to Mildura and Dimboola.
- When
- The services are planned to begin by mid-2029, if the Coalition wins the November state election.
- Where
- The proposed routes would serve Mildura and Dimboola, with stops along the way and connections to the wider train network.
- Why
- Coalition leaders said passenger rail would provide a more affordable way to travel and stay connected to the rest of Victoria.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
V/Line passenger train services between Melbourne and Mildura were axed by the government led by Jeff Kennett.
The Coalition says it would restore the services if it wins the election.
The Coalition plans to return passenger services to Mildura and Dimboola.
- Investment
- $51.2 million Wimmera Mallee Rail plan
- Planned start
- By mid-2029
- Service frequency
- Three return services a week on each corridor
- Mildura route stops
- Red Cliffs, Ouyen, Birchip, Donald, St Arnaud and Dunolly
- Dimboola route stops
- Horsham, Murtoa and Stawell
What people are saying
Their voices have been heard and now the Liberals and Nationals have a plan to make it happen