Melbourne and Brisbane will be linked by inland rail, with $8.4 billion for the project included in the Federal Budget.

The 1,700 kilometre line will travel from Victoria’s capital to Albury, onto Parkes before continuing through to Queensland.

However, a group of nine councils from Victoria and New South Wales have been lobbying for the route to be changed.

They argue it should pass through Shepparton, and Narrandera then onto Parkes.

Rural reporter Eddie Summerfield Food Bowl Inland Rail Alliance spokesman, and Narrandra Shire Councillor Wesley Hall.

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