Bethania to Beaudesert Rail Trail: Resort residents may secure small fence win if Minister re-elected

A group of senior citizens who have spent years warring with the State Government and Logan City Council over a $13m portion of rail trail they say will be a magnet for criminals is “celebrating a small win”.

Logan Councillor Nathan St Ledger, Waterford MP Shannon Fentiman, and locals from the Palm Lake Resort Bethania, including Maureen Farrell (in straw hat).

A group of senior citizens who have spent years warring with the State Government and Logan City Council over a $13m portion of rail trail they say will be a magnet for criminals is “celebrating a small win”.

Residents of Palm Lake Resort Bethania on Goodooga Dr and Palm Lake Resort Waterford on High Rd have fought hard to have the old spur line that dissects the properties relocated.

But lately realising they “can’t stop progress” – the 1km strip that will form part of the 43km Bethania to Beaudesert Rail Trail project – they believe a proposed $100m-plus security fence will mitigate safety fears.

The strong black panel fence, promised by Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman if re-elected in October, marks a new chapter in negotiations, particularly with Logan Council.

Following the mass sackings of councillors in late 2023, resident Maureen Farrell said the community had “started to feel heard”.

“The 2.1m chain-link fence the previous council told us we had to have was a joke – I’m 75 years old and I could climb the bloody thing,” said Mrs Farrell, chair of the Rail Trail Diversion Group.

“There are people who still wish the rail trail wouldn’t happen, and we did try to stop progress, but then we said, ‘let’s meet them halfway’.

“When we’re dead and gone, the recreational trail will live on and be better for the people of Logan.”

Waterford MP Shannon Fentiman with Maureen Farrell.

Mrs Farrell said certain former council employers “treated us like silly old buggers who should keep our mouths shut, and when you do that to older people, we’ll get our back up and make your life harder.”

She said Ms Fentiman and Nathan St Ledger, elected to Logan Council in 2024, were “on board with all our safety and security concerns”.

“We are now much more relaxed, knowing criminals or strangers won’t find it so easy to enter our properties.”

Ms Fentiman said she had been working with residents and council over many months.

“If I am re-elected as part of the Miles Labor Government in October, I will deliver an improved fence for the rail trail,” she said.

“This will not only make the resort safer but will also enhance the area’s look and feel.

“Councillor St Ledger and I know how much this will mean to Palm Lake locals.”

Based on feedback from residents, several other design features have been proposed to improve security and connectivity between the Palm Lake properties, including the installation of CCTV cameras, electronic sliding gates, and manual pedestrian gates.

Originally published as Bethania to Beaudesert Rail Trail: Resort residents may secure small fence win if Minister re-elected