According to Paul Henley, a member of The Barossa Rail Passenger Action Group who conducted the initiative, 400 forms were distributed between April and August with half returned.

“The response was profoundly positive,” he said.

“Assuming this figure reflects the sentiments of the Barossa region of about 20,000 people, then extrapolation of our small sample indicates a huge demand for passenger rail to this area.” Final results revealed 153 replies were received from people who live at Gawler East and in the Barossa and 178 indicated they would support the service.

Also, 118 people said they travelled from the Barossa and surrounding regions to catch the train at Gawler because of work and schooling.

Mr Henley explained from the responses, the group calculated on average, one person would use the service between two and three times-per-week out of seven-days-a-week.

The group also received comments in favour of a train service from residents at Kapunda, Blanchetown and Truro, and from people who live with disabilities.

The survey will now be forwarded as part of a submission to the Environment, Resources and Development Committee.

The committee will carry out a full inquiry into the restoration of a service later this year.

Submissions will be accepted no later than October 25 and need to be forwarded by email to ERDC.Assemblyparliament.sa.gov.au or post to Philip Frensham, Environment, Resources and Development Committee, House of Assembly, Parliament House, PO Box 572.