A well known Logan City personality has been working hard behind the scenes to get a Logan City rail trail up and running, and the project seems to have gained some traction after community consultations were held last month.
Two community consultations on the Bethania to Logan Village Rail Trail were held by the Friends of Logan City Historic Recreation Trail (FoLCHRT), at Bethania Community Centre on Saturday the January 16 and Monday January 18.
Over the two sessions approximately 80 Logan City locals attended, as well as Logan City Councillors Tony Hall and Laurie Koranski, Federal MP Bert van Manen and a representative from Shannon Fentimans office.
Tony Sharp, one of the founding members of the Friends of Logan City Historic Recreation Trail, also the founder of Substation33, said the vision for the rail trail was to use the space as a community asset to up-skill young people, increase tourism in Logan City, as a community facility, and a place to exercise.
During the first consultation, a community member asked what sort of things were envisioned to be allowed on the track.
The group discussed the allowance of pedestrian walking traffic, cyclists, horse riding, and dogs on the proposed rail trail.
Locals in attendance raised concerns for those whose properties back onto the rail trail, and said the trail was already being used illegally by motorbike riders.
The group discussed the role of police patrolling the area, discussed community monitoring, and reporting illegal use of the area. They also discussed the idea of having hunting cameras or similar, to capture evidence of illegal use. The group also noted that with increased use, illegal riders will be deterred from using the rail trail for fear of being reported.
One Logan City family shared their reasons for attending the consultation.
“As a family with a child who loves trains, we visit a lot of train things. We see Spring Bluff Railway Station between Ipswich and Toowoomba doing this really well,” they said.
“Can we do something similar in keeping some of the history from the area? Can we try and restore and keep it interactive for children? And encourage this interest for future generations?”
Community members asked if the group had consulted Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. They had heard it has been very successful and brought tourism to rural towns. The Historical Rail Trail group agreed that it had been very successful. Transport and Main Roads are involved in the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail and can provide experience to the Logan Village to Bethania project.
One community member said they were excited at the possibility of riding their bike to catch the train into the city without having to be restricted by bus connections from Logan Village.
Bert van Manen Member for Forde, Queensland congratulated the Friends of the Logan City Historic Recreation Trail on the work they have done. He said he believes this will be a great community asset.
Community members queried how far the trail will run. The response was initially from Logan Village to Bethania, with the opportunity to extend through to Beaudesert in time.
