Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the state had $14 million over four years to overhaul old tracks to create walking, cycling and horse riding trails.

In a letter to Logan City Council in January, Mr Bailey said council could take advantage of the money and use a slice of it to overhaul an old train line from Bethania to Beaudesert.

The proposal to upgrade old tracks along the 50km route, divided council with some claiming it would reignite complaints about trespassing while others said the funds could be used on a small 3.5km section of the track, from Railway Pde at Logan Village to Yarrabilba.

However, a council report said the Logan Village “spur line” was not eligible for the train line funding as it was regarded as road reserve and was not owned by the Transport Department.

But Division 4 councillor Laurie Koranski said the track would meet the criteria for the funding as it would promote tourism in the area. She said it would also provide skills for youth from the YFS program.

The not-for-profit organisation was granted permission to clear the train corridor from Bethania to Beaudesert in 2015 and again in 2017 so it could provide accredited training and a Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management.

Cr Koranski said proposals from the March Logan Village Summit included trying to attract tourists to the area and build with cycling and walking tracks.

Yarrabilba developer Lend Lease has also expressed interest in the project, which would cross a section of its land.