The petition will be tabled in State Parliament next week, in an attempt to "turn the tables for neglected country residents". 

The Rail Revival Alliance, which began as a group of concerned residents and has grown to 300 members, is desperate for a rail link to be built between Bendigo, Castlemaine, Maryborough, Ballarat and Geelong.

A Public Transport Victoria study estimated the project could cost between $760 million and $935 million. But the Rail Revival Alliance is adamant the project would only cost between $80 to $100 million after completing its own study. 

Member Scott Ramsay said tabling the petition was the latest step in a growing push for state government funding. 

"We want to keep the pressure on the government to start seeing the benefit of a regional rail link," he said. 

"There is proof that without a rail link, towns' economies go backwards."

Mr Ramsay said there had been no funding commitments or support from the state government. 

But he said a further rally, following one last year, would be held in Newstead on April 6 to keep spreading the message. 

The petition was presented to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards, who said she remained neutral on the matter. 

"This community group has started a campaign and it is my job as a representative to table it in Parliament just as I would any other petition," she said. 

"However I have no stand on the matter as it stands now."