They will call for extra passenger and freight trains and better schedule times to be made a priority in government budget spending.

A number of Great South Coast councils will join forces with several G21 (Geelong region) counterparts for the push, which will be officially launched on July 31.

Warrnambool’s mayor Michael Neoh said the joint advocacy would take in councils from Glenelg through to the Surf Coast region.

He was reluctant to disclose specifics of the campaign, but said several mayors in Warrnambool yesterday for a Municipal Association of Victoria conference met afterwards to discuss the issue.

“We’ll be looking for more frequent services — additional services at more convenient times,” he said. 

“Warrnambool is taking a lead on this in advocacy dealings with departments and bureaucrats. Geelong has about 30 services a day, but we have only three passenger trains.”