In July, Horsham Rural City Council mayor Robyn Gulline and chief officer Sunil Bhalla met with Stuart Grimley, upper house member for Western Victoria, regarding the return of passenger rail services to the Wimmera.

Mr Bhalla said they discussed the feasibility of returning passenger rail services to Horsham.

"Public transport is an essential part of any community, ensuring equitable access to benefits such as employment, education and health for all community members," he said.

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"The return of passenger rail to the Wimmera, in conjunction with better rail services to and from Ararat, is essential to the ongoing growth of the region's economy and the wellbeing of our communities which rely on public transport for access to medical services and education.

"Passenger rail would also provide easier access for tourists coming to the region."

Mr Bhalla said the next step is for the state government to develop a business case to determine the best way to deliver rail services to our region.

"Council will continue to advocate for the development of the business case."

Mr Grimley said he met with representatives from the Horsham Council, Wimmera Development Association, Hindmarsh Council and community groups.

"It is clear that the community need a rail service. The current coach service is not meeting the needs or wants of the entire Wimmera region," he said.

I am committed to fight for the return of a rail shuttle service. The infrastructure is there for a service to run from Nhill through Horsham and connecting with the Melbourne rail service in Ararat. It is a right that everyone in Victoria should have access to reliable public transport. Just because we live in the country, it shouldnt mean we have second-rate services.

Mr Grimley stated he would be speaking in Parloament about the need for a returned service in the Wimmera.

"I will be asking the Minister for Public Transport, Ben Carroll, to provide an update on the business case for the shuttle service, including when it will be finished and if it will be made public," he said.

"Im also asking for the Minister to meet with the Horsham Rural City Council, Hindmarsh Council and the Nhill Train Alliance to discuss the return train service from Nhill to Ararat."

Horsham Railway Station will undergo landscaping works later in 2021.

Land on both sides of the station building between the Kalkee Road overpass and Wawunna Road is set to be improved with a row of large established trees, demolition of sheds, the renewal of garden beds and a general clean up.

While VicTrack owns the railway corridor, the council leases the area south of the track and have committed $66,000 in the 2021-2022 budget for the works.

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