An earlier “Letters to the Editor” writer talks about lovely Mural Painted, Sound Proofed Fencing to surround any Rail Trail placed through the Bethania and Waterford Communities. Sounds very nice, but fences on both sides need to be erected and automated gates installed to service one road and two paths. The cost for fences and gates will be substantial-who is to pay? The fencing, gates and access between the two villages are major issues still to be resolved.
The proposal to place a Rail Trail through the middle of two residential communities and close to individual houses will cause severe impact to the quality of life of elderly persons. Residents of the two resorts are not against a Rail Trail as such, but do not consider it appropriate, feasible or cost justified to locate it through our land-nor would a fair minded person who fully understood the situation.
The following points need to be taken into account, The Social Impact, The Environmental Impact (Koalas are located in our resort/s) and Cost. Disregarding the high expense of fencing/gates there is a bridge which the Rail Trail would need to pass over. The cost to upgrade this bridge would be considerable.
Ratepayers should consider how much the proposed Rail Trail has cost the Council to date and the approximate cost to fully develop the project. A final cost of well over $7 Million is expected. In the current high inflationary climate and with people finding it extremely difficult to meet expenses, the last thing Logan Residents want is an increase in Rates because of expenses incurred outside of that deemed essential. A Rail Trail, while an attractive idea, is far from essential.
Ian Douglas
Waterford
