Reduction of the rail line between Castlemaine and Bendigo to a single track with passing loops was hailed as a solution, despite common sense and protests from residents. Now, we see the ill-effects of this in the line's capacity constraints.

The Castlemaine to Maryborough line is clearly needed to move freight off the road and divert rail traffic from the metropolitan network. It offers options for passenger services in a growing Victoria.

The consultants were clearly aiming for a state of the art solution, not a cost-effective trade of investment versus return.

Now it's another $2 million wasted.

The Mildura line, to be converted to standard gauge, is clearly another blunder in the making.

One day our satellite cities like Mildura will need a fast link to Melbourne and this needs to be provisioned for in any works, which means either keeping the broad gauge line or dual gauging to meet all needs.

Where is the vision? Where is the long-term planning?

Imagine if the London sewer system was not constructed for capacity and growth when it was planned and built. The entire city would have been ripped up three or four times by now due to political stupidity.

Our leaders are driven by the next poll, and it would be a wonderful thing to see their retirement perks linked to the success of their programs over the longer term, making them sit back now and think, rather than grandstanding.