The Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide has directly opposed a proposal by Wattle Range Council to move the wooden statues and Father Woods Park from Coonawarra into Penola.

A letter from Dr Patrick O’Regan will be tabled when the council meets in Millicent tonight (Tuesday).

The relocation proposal had been aired at the November monthly council meeting as there were fears for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists from the new rail trail crossing the Riddoch Highway.

Dr O’Regan is supportive of the Penola/Coonawarra rail trail which is currently under construction and has urged the council to revert to its original plan to have it start at the church-owned Father Woods Park on the Riddoch Highway.

The archbishop explained that pioneering priest Father Julian Tenison Woods regularly held open-air masses under large trees in that area and the park had significance for pilgrims.

“I would hope the connection between Father Woods Park and Penola via the rail trail would make it much easier to promote pilgrimages to Penola,” Dr O’Regan wrote.

Other similar correspondence from Catholic Church authorities is part of the agenda including letters from Penola Catholic parish priest Father Michael Romeo and Josephite nun Sister Loreto O’Connor.

“I write to offer my strong support for the proposed Coonawarra-Penola Rail Trail and the link that this will have with the Father Woods Park and I have been very closely involved with the Mary MacKillop Centre in Penola since April 2014,” Sister Loreto said.

“Consequently, I have seen firsthand the reaction of so many visitors and pilgrims who have stopped to visit Father Woods Park as they often speak about their experience when they then come to the Mary MacKillop Centre.

“Over the years I have also welcomed many pilgrim groups who have walked from the Father Woods Park into Penola.

“In addition to this, I have spent time reading many of the 10 visitors’ books which contain such interesting and favourable comments about their experience of spending time at the park.

“The peace and tranquillity of this area is certainly something that is greatly appreciated.”

Local residents have also written to council calling for Father Woods Park to be retained as part of the rail trail.

Tonight’s agenda also includes a 19- page report from consultant engineers about the Riddoch Highway pedestrian crossing options in the vicinity of Father Woods Park.

After assessing three options, the consultant engineers recommend the crossing be located at the original proposed site near the unmade road reserve which passes through privately-owned farming land.

This has been opposed by local land owners and a protest petition with almost 80 names will also be tabled tonight.

It will be presented by local landowner George Kidman who has been granted permission to address the meeting.

The staff report to tonight’s meeting outlines the negotiations with the Catholic Church about Father Woods Park as well as a summary of the consultant engineers’ report.