Pat Bourke said if existing lines south to Benalla from Oaklands and east from Boree Creek to The Rock could be connected could be joined it would allow grain to be trained to ports in NSW or Melbourne from across his shire and cut the amount road freight.

The cost of upgrading sections of line that have long been disused would be very substantial.

NSW Upper House MP Wes Fang said rail freight brought efficiencies but noted a 2018 study into reopening the Tocumwal to Narrandera railway which found the outlay outweighed the benefits.

"We should be looking to utilise rail lines, however in saying that we should make it's cost effective," Mr Fang said.

"A business case is required to determine what is most appropriate."

GrainCorp, which uses both Riverina lines to haul crops, wants to see more investment in the existing lines made a priority.

"We would support infrastructure improvements on the Oaklands and Boree Creek lines, as both lines require significant repairs and longer term improvement plans before addressing any expansion of connectivity," a spokesperson said.

"Currently, the lines manage very low axle loads and lack sufficient capacity to manage existing demand.

"Both would benefit from upgrades to allow them to accommodate 25 tonne axle load trains, in order to align with, and benefit from, the Inland Rail projects.

"This in turn would allow for better rail haulage into NSW and Victoria destinations and, coupled with a better ongoing maintenance program, could allow for projects to expand the line connection."

Lockhart Shire general manager Peter Veneris has previously called for heavier trains to be catered for on the Boree Creek line, telling a NSW parliamentary rail inquiry "the current inefficiencies of the rail network...result in a higher proportion of grain being transported by road".

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