Instead,the independent advisory body suggested new bus services should be deployed through the region,using Frankston train station as a public transport interchange.

“An extension of the Frankston line could create extra pressure for new housing developments in environmentally sensitive and agriculturally important places on the Mornington Peninsula,” the report published last year noted.

Frankston City Council has said electrification of the Stony Point diesel railway line was a“long-standing priority” for the municipality. “The project will mean people living further up the line or from the Mornington Peninsula will be able to get on a train at Langwarrin or Baxter and commute directly to Monash University,Frankston Hospital and Frankston Private Hospital,Chisholm TAFE or directly into Melbourne,” the council said on its website.

A spokesman for the Andrews government said the Liberal Party could not be trusted on public transport after failing to deliver rail projects to Doncaster and Melbourne Airport.

“They’ve opposed all 20 level crossing removals along the Frankston line and promised to cut the Suburban Rail Loop,putting at risk thousands of jobs,” he said.