LETTERS to the editor

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Rail Trail exercise for estate owners on the right track

I LIKE your well-informed article in The Express (19/07/23) in regard to the council meeting and the rail trail at the eastern side of the Tolga industrial Estate. With your approval I would like to respond.

Let me make my position clear. I do own an allotment that bounds the TMR rail reserve.

I don’t particularly need the extra land. Nor do I have a huge appetite for the cost of purchase and the ongoing maintenance and extra rates charge to council.

However, to keep things uniform and to support the businesses and property owners I have agreed to consider the proposal and possibly make the acquisition should the proposition be favourable and in order to support the majority.

I am disappointed that the Mayor (Rod Marti) has made alarming comments about saving the land from being acquired by property owners.

What happened to the well-informed adult conversations about how multiple activities can exist including the bike track, public assets (sewer, water ,communications, etc )?

Also, Manthey road reserve is in this corridor. There is the heavy vehicle bypass proposed by Main Roads for the last 40 plus years and whatever else that may need to operate in this reserve.

Know your vehicle’s limits

The four councillors supporting the investigation for the best possible outcomes are, in my opinion, on the right track.

Had the tree planting occurred back earlier this year, we would have trees planted directly on top of the pressure sewer main.

Also, the potential for these trees and their root systems to impact property infrastructure including the TRC 150 gravity main all the way along the eastern boundary.

Not to mention the interference with stormwater drains and the ability to keep the flow path clear.

I make a stand alongside the industrial property owners to ensure the full story is conveyed.

Not just a version that seems to express a desire to limit certain actives such as walking and bike riding.

Some councillors are already in conflict with businesses in Atherton (re Railway Lane) as well as in Malanda (ie Chamber of Commerce).

Surely there’s not a desire to be in the same position with the businesses and ratepayers from the industrial estate as well.

I look forward to the final report and the debate when it arrives at the public council meeting.

Owen Byrnes ATHERTON