PItchfork News has recieved the exclusive scoop that a $55 million government investment will see passenger trains return to Mildura and five other regional Victorian towns as part of the government's next budget, in what has been deemed the Mildura Rail Revival.

In what is to be a three-month project, two new crossing loops will be installed on the Mildura railway line to enable trains to pass each other, and the six stations along the line that are to be opened will be upgraded in order to ensure they are ready for passengers to use. These stations are St Arnaud, Donald, Birchip, Woomelang, Ouyen, and Mildura. While all contain usable platforms and buildings, each will recieve $1 million for the purpose of refurbishment, shelter installation, signage, and more to ensure that they are of the standard expected by passengers.

The bulk of the cost, however, will be the purchasing of 3 new six-car VLocity trains, which will be used to run services from Southern Cross railway station in Melbourne to Mildura, stopping at all towns on the Maryborough line as well as the aforementioned six stations. Purchasing these trains is to cost $41.64 million. In total, the government will invest $55.64 million into the Mildura Rail Revival, with $6 millon spent on station upgrades and $8 million on crossing loops.

The Vinelander, an overnight passenger train service, previously operated from Melbourne to Mildura, but was closed by the notorious state Kennett government in 1993. Despite promises from politicians and parties to investigate returning the service, no substantive moves have been made until today.

Some government ministers have been harshly critical of Kennett's government and their cuts to Mildura rail. Speaking on this issue last year, Attorney-General model-putrid referred to Kennett as a "dog cunt", and has previously condemned the "cold-hearted money-grubbing ideology" of "Jeff Kennett's government of demons". More recently, Foreign Affairs minister TheSensibleCentre burnt an effigy of the ex-Premier, who she referred to as "the bastard Kennett".

When reached for comment, model-putrid, who has previously advocated for the return of rail to Mildura, told Pitchfork News that she was "deeply pleased by the government's decision to fully fund the Mildura Rail Revival". The Senator added that "this is a move the people of Mildura have been working hard to achieve for a very long time. Today, the community has won."

- Alison Brooks, Pitchfork News