As we had promised, deputy mayor Laurie Koranski and myself met last week with the residents of the Palm Lake resorts at Bethania and Waterford to discuss the Bethania to Logan Village Rail Trail.
The preliminary designs for the project are completed and we have incorporated some of the feedback from Palm Lake residents and other members of the community.
This includes the addition of electronic gates, safety cameras, fencing and screening vegetation along the section of the Trail planned for the decommissioned rail corridor between the retirement and aged care facilities, which is public land.
Other features of the preliminary design include seating, shelters, water bubblers and rubbish bins, as well as bike and horse trailer parking at the Dairy Creek Road trail head.
Members of the Palm Lake community have visited Council several times in recent months, and we know many of them have passionate views on the proposed Rail Trail route.
We expected a rousing reception, and the locals did not disappoint.
Councillor Koranski and I listened to their concerns and answered questions to the best of our knowledge.
Council officers were also on hand to provide more details, enlarged plans and video flyovers on the project.
I know some of the answers and information provided may not have been what some residents wanted to hear, but this is a project of citywide and regional interest.
It will foster an active and healthy community by providing recreational opportunities for walking, cycling, jogging and horse riding.
Some residents shared stories about incidents of theft in the area recently and expressed concerns that the Rail Trail may result in an increase in crime.
I agree everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes, particularly in their senior years. That is why I provided examples of other Council projects where upgrades have increased the number of people using the facility which has resulted in a dramatic decrease in crime.
I know I speak on behalf of Cr Koranski when I say we totally respect any resident’s right to have a different view than Council.
But in my 27 years as an elected member, I also know that if the wishes of the minority always prevailed, no infrastructure would have ever been built.
We live in a democracy, and it is important that we have robust discussion, and everyone is heard, and I thank the residents of Palm Lake Bethania and Waterford for participating in that opportunity.
