Infrastructure Victoria tabled its 30-year strategy in parliament on Thursday, with recommendations to promote medium density housing in Bendigo, new court buildings and highway and rail improvements.

The final report contained many of the same priorities as the draft released in May, and did not step back from its position that rail between regional centres lacked demand.

It stated the demand had not been proven, compared with the cost.

“We have not, however, recommended returning rail services to Mildura and between Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong, primarily because of the high cost of these options compared to forecast demand,” the report reads.

“We also haven’t recommended high speed rail as a priority given its high cost and other pressing needs across the state.”

The Rail Revival Alliance was critical of the stance, believing the reopening of the train lines would reinvigorate the economics of regional cities and the towns along the way.

The report included more than 100 recommendations relevant for regional Victoria, including new and expanded regional bus services, improving internet and mobile coverage and developing on-site community facilities at state schools.

Ulumbarra Theatre was used as an example of the work that can be achieved through a joint partnership between a state school and a local council.

Bendigo was identified as one of three cities with an immediate priority for new or refurbished law courts.

The report urged future governments to be wary of projected population growth in Bendigo, which is expected to grow faster than 80 per cent of the state’s other council areas.

Higher rates of ageing, limited transport and communications options and poor socio-economic outcomes could be barriers for growth in Bendigo in the future.

The report is Infrastructure Victoria’s first 30-year strategy, designed to guide government policy.