600-plus residents fighting to stop proposed walking trail dissecting Palm Lake Bethania and Palm Lake Waterford in Logan City, QLD

Residents from two Palm Lake Resort land lease communities, which function as one community, are fighting a plan by Logan City Council to extend a tourism walking track between them Palm Lake Resort Bethania and Palm Lake Resort Waterford object to Logan City Council’s proposed rail trail route as the villages, which sit either side of a section of the old railway line, operate as one community with a single perimeter fence and communal facilities spread between the two resorts. The residents lost a fight over council wanting to build a two-storey crematorium next door in 2018. Logan City Council has asked the Queensland Government for more than $3.5 million to build the 13.5km Bethania to Yarrabilba Rail Trail even though 2km of track is under lease to Palm Lake Resort Retirement Village.

“The walking trail will divide the resort into two, create parking chaos and open up our gated community to criminals,” said resident Beryl Woodford. “The council has refused to build a fence around the 3.5m-wide trail which will run right through the village. “We pay to live in a gated community but once again the council is not listening to what residents want which is what happened when council allowed a crematorium to be built next door.”

A 2021 feasibility study by consultant Burchill’s Engineering Solutions found the project would be a money spinner for the council. It would cost about $8 million but attract more than 55,000 people a year bringing in an economic benefit to the region of over $870,000 a year. The study also found it would not be able to proceed successfully without getting approval to use the old rail tracks between the retirement villages. Noel Wright, spokesman for Associated Residential Parks Queensland, a body which represents owners of homes in resorts, told Albert & Logan News Palm Lake residents’ views were not being considered.