Extensive community feedback, including requests for fencing, have been included in preliminary designs for the proposed Bethania to Logan Village Rail Trail.
Electronic gates, safety cameras, fencing and screening vegetation are among the added design elements after Logan City Council undertook a range of engagement activities - online and in-person - with concerned residents.
The engagement and input was beneficial in informing the preliminary design.
The 11.5km trail will feature three surfaces - concrete, asphalt and gravel - to accommodate walking, jogging, cycling and horse riding.
The 4km sealed section and gentle grades from Bethania Station to Dairy Creek Road will provide access for users of all abilities.
Click here to view a 'fly-through video of the project: Bethania to Logan Village Rail Trail - Flythrough - YouTube
While most timber bridges were found to be significantly deteriorated by age and weather, the project will look for opportunities to pay respect to the corridor's historical links when designing new crossings at various locations.
Additional features of the preliminary design include:
- Feature planting at key points such as Bethania Train Station, Logan River Lookout and Dairy Creek Road
- Seating, shelters, water bubblers and bins, including a dog waste bag dispenser
- Bike and horse trailer parking at the Dairy Creek Road trail head
The route will link with the popular Logan Village to Yarrabilba Rail Trail opened by Council in 2021.
It is envisaged that the Rail Trail could eventually be extended to Jimboomba and Beaudesert and become a major regional tourism attraction.
City of Logan Mayor Darren Power said there would be recreational and economic benefits from the Rail Trail.
"This will be a fantastic drawcard for our city and provide opportunities for everyone to get out an enjoy our special open spaces and river outlooks," Cr Power said.
"It was important we listened to the community in the planning stage, and I am pleased with the preliminary design that has been developed based on that important feedback."
Division 4 Councillor Laurie Koranski and the Mayor have written to local residents to thank them for their input to the project.
Cr Koranski said Council had consulted extensively with the local community and a range of other stakeholders, including cycling and horse-riding groups, before finalising the Rail Trail design.
"I understand Council has undertaken more community engagement on this project than just about any roads project in its history," Cr Koranski said.
"We have listened to what the community wanted on this, and that's why we have included important elements to the design such as fencing, gates and more safety cameras near residential areas."
The community will soon get a further opportunity to see the proposed preliminary design and provide feedback before construction, which is expected to begin late next year.
A Have Your Say survey last year indicated strong support for the trail, with more than 70 per cent of respondents saying they would use it.
