The Victorian Labour Governments commitment to maintaining a freight and passenger network in Victoria is a myth. The business case for the upgrade of the line to Leongatha for freight was a significant case with much freight available for a line properly maintained.
The Victorian Labour Government promised to reopen the line to Leongatha and walked away from its commitment just as they have for many rail projects in the state.
An old postcard view of the station, with Station Master’s house behind the platform
Images of Tooradin Railway Station area from Dan the Rail Man
The Bracks Government did commit to returning the Leongatha pass in the 1999 election campaign, but South Gippsland Shire Council and the local community were totally half-hearted about it – a detailed feasibility study was prepared and publicly released. It concluded there was insufficient demand to justify the large capital cost of restoring the line, and little chance of any freight being gained due to the close distance to Melbourne. (The only exception was sand, something still workable but nobody championing the idea).
The Bracks Government did restore the Ararat and Bairnsdale services, Mildura was always going to be difficult – even when there were Independant MPs specifically making it a priority.
Even the National Party (normally pretty good at pork barrelling their pet projects) has never come out and made it a matter of importance.
There is a business case on the return of services to Leongatha including large freight volumes available for conversion to the rail transport.