Plans for a recreation trail along an abandoned rail line between two senior living villages in Waterford will go to public consultation by the end of the year.
The plan is to convert a 2km stretch of old rail line between the Palm Lakes Resorts of Waterford and Bethania into a community cycling and walking trail.
The proposal follows the success of the conversion of the old tram track between Logan Village and Yarrabilba, set to finish in November.
“That sparked community interest in the rest of the rail trail, which is where the new plans come into it,” Cr Koranski said.
Cr Laurie Koranski said the proposal first emerged in 2007 but it went nowhere as council did not back it.
The old rail line fits into the Bethania to Beaudesert route. The section impacting the Palm Lake villages is a 35m channel between the developments.
The rail sits on land currently leased by Walter Elliot Holdings, the owner of Palm Lake.
The company does not own the land.
However, Palm Lake residents are worried how the recreation trail could impact their security.
With open frontages on either side of the rail line, residents fear the line could expose them to crime.
“Police will tell you that in the past we have had problems with stolen cars and a spate of graffiti on our garages and back doors,” one resident said.
“Knowing our Villages are a safe and secure haven allows some residents to still work part-time and others to have long holidays caravanning around Queensland.”
They are also worried that the project is moving forward without their consultation.
“Suddenly we have now received a letter from July about a community update for the project and we haven’t been consulted,” the resident said.
However, Cr Koranski was eager to reassure residents they are only at the very beginning of the proposal and their safety and input is her top priority.
“We’ve got two mature aged communities, and I don’t want these people to feel anxious about what’s coming their way, but we also need the opportunity to finish the feasibility study and consult with them,” Cr Koranski said.
Council sent the proposal to a feasibility study last month looking at its physical impact, including security, whether Palm Lake management would endorse the project, and the views of residents along with those of the broader community.
When COVID restrictions ease, Cr Koranski will meet with Palm Lake residents before going public with a full community consultation.
“I didn’t want them to get lost in community consultation, because they are probably the most impacted, I wanted to make sure they genuinely have their say,” she said.
She then expects to have a full community consultation by the end of the year.
