Council
7 February, 2026
Concerning changes to rail freight
The Horsham Rural City Council has joined a united push to rethink proposed rail changes that could impact freight movements through the Wimmera.
As a member of the Rail Freight Alliance (RFA), councillors voted at the January 27 meeting to advocate for alternatives to the proposed removal of some interconnection routes between freight rail lines servicing Victoria and the Port of Melbourne.
The Victorian Government plans to undertake major works on the metropolitan rail network, including around the Sunshine Hub.
These works could include removing some rail crossovers, which could lead to increased congestion, longer travel times for rail freight to the Port of Melbourne, and higher freight movement costs.
Of greater concern to the council are the possible flow-on effects the government's planned works could have on the Interstate Australian Rail Track Corporation line linking Adelaide to Melbourne via the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal at Dooen, as the changes would push more services onto that line.
HRCC noted at its January meeting that these measures could increase use of roads for freight in an already overloaded network.
The RFA, a collaboration of Victorian Municipal Councils, advised a coordinated advocacy approach to the Victorian and Australian governments, as both are funding the planned works.
Cr Cam McDonald highlighted what he explained would be a 47km shunt change-over, increased costs and congestion.
Based on the recommendations presented to the meeting, he said council should support the united advocacy plan.
Cr Rebecca Skuggett agreed, adding the government's current plan would increase road use for freight movements.
Cr Angela Munn said she agreed, and it was a positive that all councils worked together.
The council supported the recommendation that letters requesting the retention of the STLC be forwarded to the Premier, Minister for Freight and Ports, and the Minister for Public Transport, and, in addition to the Federal Infrastructure Minister, and should be signed by all RFA members.
The recommendation that individual letters be sent to the Victorian and Federal members within the individual RFA members' municipalities, and that a meeting be requested with relevant ministers for the RFA executive, was also agreed upon.
The RFA had sought no financial contribution to support the advocacy change, as this was primarily a letter-writing campaign, the council agenda stated.
However, there would be significant regional economic implications, including additional road maintenance and increased traffic-related trauma if this plan were to proceed.
Councillors were also advised that advocacy may be too late, as the government may have already signed the contract for the works.
A section of the HRCC 2025-2029 Council plan is to improve transport networks within the community and beyond.
Councillors voted unanimously to support the recommendation and to join the combined advocacy for a rethink of the planned rail changes, which could impact the Wimmera and are scheduled to begin in early 2026.
