Therefore, plans to reopen the line were halted, and the government pledged to spend $14.2 million on improved V/Line coach services in the South Gippsland region instead.
[2] In early 2014, a report into possible extensions of the Melbourne metropolitan rail system identified the population growth corridor from Cranbourne to Koo-Wee-Rup, along the disused Leongatha line, as a key planning priority.
Rail services has been included at the forefront of the proposal in close association with the South Gippsland Shire Council and other local governments.
[6] After the abandonment in 2008 by then premier John Brumby of the promise to revive the railway line for freight and passenger services made by the government of his predecessor Steve Bracks, a community campaign involving the South and West Gippsland Transport Group continues to lobby key stakeholders and governments to reinstate rail services, to improve transport accessibility in the region.
The first section has been constructed - formed as a concrete pathway running one kilometre each side of the former Koo Wee Rup railway station platform.