The line has had new sleepers put in and its weight limit increased before it is reopened as part of the Murray Basin Rail Project.

Sections of the line near Ararat were completed late last year.

Ararat police Constable Gillian Morgan said the theft occurred between 6pm on January 20 and 6am on January 21.

“The truck was located between Eversley and Ben Nevis along the Pyrenees Highway,” she said.

“Fuel was siphoned from the truck and the registration plates were also stolen.

“There was a grinder on site and the fuel lines were cut and fuel was stolen from the grinder as well.”

The truck and equipment belonged to Maryborough contractor McDonnell Dowell Martinus.

Constable Morgan asked that anybody who saw anything suspicious in the area to call Ararat Police Station on 5355 1500 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

“If you see anything strange in future at odd hours of the night contact police on 000”, she said.