Interesting comments by mayor Darren Power in his My City Logan article: Inland Rail Independent Review Welcome (October 12).
Current council planning and mapping for the Bethania to Logan Village cycle rail trail is being heavily marketed with a predetermined route going straight through the most populated precinct possible, a 1000 resident retirement village.
This causes the most logistical, security and cost issues for both Logan ratepayers and retirement village residents alike. A route determined entirely by council and challenged by the local community.
Here is Cr Power’s reasoning for reviewing the Inland Rail Route in another area of Logan City:
“We know the route was selected without consultation and residents did not get an opportunity to have their say on the route or offer alternatives.
“It is the most densely populated section of the project in Queensland and those residents will bear the brunt of the noise, vibration and air quality issues.”
“The fight is far from over and really is a David & Goliath battle…”
Additionally, when talking about Logan residents along the route, the Mayor said: “We need to ensure their voices are heard”.
The very same reasoning that the mayor gives to change the inland rail route are those being sought in regards to the rail trail, by the local community, of the mayor.
The Council’s current route takes the cycle track in behind a block of industrial sheds, through a retirement village and popping out halfway down Easterly Street.
A track from ‘nowhere’ to ‘nothing’, that divides one community and excludes another.
However, bringing the wide asphalt path along the western edge of High Road and down Easterly Street instead, would provide local residents with a much-needed safe cycle way, particularly down busy High Road.
Cycle connections for families and students of Canterbury College, the childcare centre on Easterly Street, Bethania shops, Canterbury Gardens, Woodlands parklands, the Bethania train station, retirement village residents and Bethania residents, this route would be used every day by locals and still allow for the weekend warrior lycra brigade on Saturdays and Sundays.
This alternate route protects one community and includes many others.
Mayor Power, “We need to ensure…their voices are heard”
James Herbst,
Mount Warren Park.
