So the Western Australian Government last year didn't renew the ~40 year contract for the States railways that were sold on lease to private interests 20 years or so ago, and have in large parts been leftvto rot. Another case of private ownership being an inefficient use of reaources, but thats besdies the point. So the WA Government have begun the 20 year process of transitioning the railways back into government ownership.

I'm not sure that they have a clear plan yet, but they obviously have some aspirations for getting a rail network for freight across the wheatbelt going again. So maybe they're thinking what you're thinking. But its an example of long term thinking in this area.