Two-thirds of Bendigo region residents are concerned about the economic impact of poor transport planning, according to new RACV research. Half worry about safety on the road.

The results came as no surprise, the RACV's general manager of public policy Bryce Prosser said.

"For years RACV has been advocating for safer roads in regional Victoria and the survey results reflect that more needs to be done to enhance Victoria's highway network, making it safer for all road users," he said.

Mr Prosser wanted more investment in transport systems outside of Melbourne as Victoria's population boomed.

Manufacturer's biggest concern was finding roads and rail lines close to fresh land as they looked to expand operations around town, Bendigo Manufacturing Group chairman Mark Brennan said.

Those plans took a backwards step when the state planning minister rejected the City of Greater Bendigo's bid to compulsorily acquire farmland in Marong last year.

"Seventeen years (of planning) came to fruition, but with nothing to show," Mr Brennan said.

The council and the BMI had started the search again and were giving thought to roads, not just industrial parks. A lot of people had put their land forward as potential solutions, Mr Brennan said.

"We had not asked for any, but there has been a response as people look to contribute to the debate with these options," he said.

"The assessment of those options is very much about transport access, and not flooding the main CBD with massive B-doubles."

Nearly 40 per cent of people in Bendigo were concerned about congestion, the RACV's research showed.

That figure was lower than the statewide result, where congestion topped 71 percent of people's concerns.

There was no doubt traffic was getting heavier around Bendigo, Mr Brennan said. He hoped to see more upgrades on the rail line down to Melbourne and up to Echuca to help ease traffic burdens.

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.