Bike tracks, carparking, beehive sanctuaries and community gardens are among big ideas for Rosewater railway line

Green space, carparking and a bike track similar to the Clare Valley’s Riesling Trail have all been touted for a disused, state-owned railway line.

The Rosewater community are exploring different uses for the disused Rosewater railway line. Picture: Paula Thompson

Rosewater residents are exploring ways to transform the disused railway line from an eyesore to an asset.

Ideas for the Department of Infrastructure and Transport-owned rail line – which hasn’t been used since the 1990s – include turning the rubbish-strewn route into a cycling and walking trail like the Clare Valley’s Riesling Trail.

About 100 residents attended a meeting about its future on Monday night, which was organised by Cheltenham MP Joe Szakacs.

Mr Szakacs said as the rail line is in the process of being officially decommissioned, it’s an ideal time to start discussing ideas for its future.

“The very strong theme from the feedback to my office is that people want to see mixed use along the corridor,” he said.

Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Claire Boan said council were keen to see the rail line transformed, especially to create more open and green space for the area.

“Rosewater and Ottoway have a low amount of green space and recreation areas so we see an excellent opportunity to create more open space in this area,” she said.

The Rosewater community are exploring different uses for the disused Rosewater railway line. Picture: Paula Thompson

Rosewater Bowling Club greens liaison manager Jim Webster said more parking for bowlers was desperately needed.

“It would be fantastic if we could take 20 cars off of the street so we can give the residents some more room,” he said.

“It used to always be said that bowls clubs were like God’s waiting rooms but we get a lot younger people now. On Saturdays in particular, when the football is on and we have social bowls, it’s very hard to get a park and it’s become a safety issue.”

Port Adelaide Enfield councillor Joost den Hartog said with the rail line going disused for decades, it was important the community were vocal about what they would like to see happen with the corridor.

“We need to have a united voice and vision to get the message to the Department (of Infrastructure and Infrastructure) that something needs to be done,” he said.

Other residents at the meeting expressed concerns about the amount of rubbish being illegally dumped along the rail line and the fire risks it posed during the summer months.

There were also concerns aired about anti-social behaviour along the corridor.

Most of the residents at Monday night’s meeting were supportive of the cycling and walking pathway idea but other suggestions floated included a community garden, a nature and sensory play area for children and beehive sanctuaries.

Mr Szakacs said he planned to collate the ideas from Monday night’s meeting and reconvene another meeting in the near future to look at the next steps forward for the project.