However, this appears to be the reality for 15 landholders located along the 37-kilometre stretch of inland rail line between Stockinbingal and Bethungra in southern NSW.

It is believed letters of offer to acquire land have started to flow.

And because the process involves legal ramifications regarding entitlements most people affected are guarded in speaking out about the project. 

NSW Farmers Illabo branch chairman David Carter said there certainly wasn't a "once size fits all" option when it came to planning the inland rail route. 

He said NSW Farmers welcomes an open and transparent investigation such as the Labor Government's upper-house inquiry. 

"We are not against the methodology (of inland rail) it is how it is being delivered," he said. 

Slater and Gordon Lawyers practice group leader Manisha Blencowe confirmed the firm was acting for at least one landholder affected by the Stockinbingal to Bethungra section of the line.

She said the impact on farming operations must be considered and urged landholders to seek legal advice. 

Ms Blencowe said some landholders stood to lose valuable infrastructure in the process and it would change the way they run their operations. 

Col Lucock of Tumut is a retired stock and station agent and said he had been following the inland rail project closely.

He used to farm at Barmedman and was puzzled as to why the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) had not been included on the proposed route. 

"I am supportive of the concept but I believe this is not the best route...it should have gone through Griffith," he said. 

NSW Farmers' inland rail task-force chairman, Adrian Lyons also supports the inland rail project, but says an inquiry is needed.

"NSW Labor's commitment to conduct an inquiry into inland rail is recognition of the concerns within the communities," he said.

"We want this project to succeed - let's use this inquiry as an opportunity to maximise the value for agricultural supply chains across NSW," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said inland rail, due to be operational by mid 2025, would deliver economic benefits and reduced freight costs.

In response to the criticism that inland rail would not encompass the MIA Mr McCormack explained the 2010 Inland Rail Alignment Study and 2015 Inland Rail Implementation Group Report considered a number of route options between Melbourne and Parkes, and while none went as far west as Griffith, a route via Shepparton and Narrandera was assessed.

"The 2015 report found that the added cost for the route "would now be conservatively between $1 billion to $2 billion," he said.

Mr McCormack said the 2015 report also found that the independent analysis indicates the current demand estimates for the food bowl region, including those of the Food Bowl Inland Rail Alliance, were substantially below that which would be required for the Shepparton and Narrandera option to be economically viable.

"It was determined that the added cost did not justify such a route and the route via Albury and Wagga was endorsed," he said.

In response to fears from some farmers that compulsory land acquisitions may be use Mr McCormack said it was ARTC's preference to have a "negotiated agreement" rather than compulsory acquisition.

"Should negotiations fail to reach an outcome, Transport for NSW will be the acquiring authority for any compulsory acquisitions required," he said.

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