Transplan Pty Ltd is joining with Mike Halliburton Associates (trail planners) and ROSS Planning Pty Ltd (recreation, open space and sports specialists) to prepare a Tracks and Trails Plan for the Gympie Regional Counbcil in Queensland.
The purpose of the plan is to identify cost-effective opportunities to reinforce the existing tracks and trails networks; and to establish new tracks and trails in the Gympie Region, including opportunities to complement those in surrounding regions.
Quietly disolving into the bush in The Commonage near Beverley are a number of solid stone structures (see photo). Thought to have been built by convicts during the mid-19th Century, there are around 50 of these structures scattered around the hills of The Commonage. At one time there were many more but during WWII many were removed to line drainage ditches at the nearby Beverley RAAF aerodrome.
No-one is sure why these ‘walls’ were built, nor is anyone exactly sure who built them. It is assumed that convicts stationed at nearby barracks were responsible. They form no useful purpose, other than training or practice for convicts to build rock walls.
The ‘Commonage Walls’ (as they are known), are unique. I have never seen anything like these anywhere else in Australia. They are recognised in the Shire of Beverley Municipal Heritage Inventory, as well as being listed on the Heritage Council of WA Places Database.
Commonage Walls, near Beverley
The draft of the Shire of Beverley Trails Master Plan has been submitted to Council for its consideration. It is expected that the draft will be available for community review during late March and into April. The Council will consider whether to formally adopt the plan at its April 29 meeting.
The draft includes a number of projects including the upgrading of the existing Bushland Reserve Trail at Avondale Discovery Farm, the development of two in-town heritage walk trails, the development of a Beverley Pioneers Trail at County Peak and the establishment of two GeoTrails throughout the municipality.