The Blue Mountains City Council, located to the west of Sydney, is seeking $15 million in funding to facilitate the permanent reopening of a historic tunnel that has been in existence for 134 years. This tunnel serves as a vital connection between the towns of Lapstone and Glenbrook, with local residents labeling it a “missing link” in the quest for a safer cycling pathway between the Lower Blue Mountains and Western Sydney.
Mayor Mark Greenhill has highlighted that the council’s current lease for the tunnel is set to expire at the end of the year. The Lapstone Hill Tunnel, which originally opened in 1892 for railway use, has a diverse history that includes serving as a storage site for munitions and mustard gas during World War II, as well as functioning as a mushroom farm at one point.
According to Mayor Greenhill, the council has already invested $4 million from a state government grant to clear debris from the tunnel and to install lighting. Nevertheless, he emphasizes that additional funds are essential to establish adequate parking and to ensure accessible entry and exit points to the site.
“We are looking for collaboration from other government levels to ensure that this remarkable piece of Australian history can be permanently opened,” Mayor Greenhill stated. “It feels like stepping back in time to a different era.”
He expressed concern that without securing further funding by the year’s end, the lease could lapse, rendering all previous efforts futile. “If we cannot obtain funding soon, all our cleanup and lighting installations will have been in vain, and the tunnel may remain inaccessible for another couple of centuries,” he warned.
The council argues that reopening the tunnel would create a safer route for cyclists traveling between Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, thereby alleviating congestion on the Great Western Highway that runs between Glenbrook and Lapstone.
The tunnel, recognized as a state heritage site, was initially launched as a railway tunnel in 1892 but was closed in 1913 due to its steep incline, which was unsuitable for train operations.
Community support for the tunnel’s permanent reopening has been strong, with thousands of residents and visitors attending open days held over the past two weekends, allowing the public to explore the historic structure.
David Watson, a lifelong resident of Lapstone, recalls the tunnel entrances as foreboding due to their inaccessibility. He began advocating for its reopening in 2012 after noting the area was cluttered with unused shipping containers and equipment from its time as a mushroom farm. “This would be an ideal place for families to walk with their dogs or children and for cyclists to traverse,” Watson remarked. “It’s a crucial link that would divert cyclists away from the busy highway while inviting walkers back into the lower mountains.”
Michele Corin, another local resident, expressed that the tunnel has sparked a sense of fascination among the Blue Mountains community, drawing large crowds. “It’s a gathering place that fosters community spirit and highlights the heritage that has defined our region,” Corin noted.
A representative from the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure conveyed that the state government is supportive of the council’s initiatives to revitalize the site while exploring alternative funding options. “The NSW Government previously allocated $4 million to the Blue Mountains City Council for the restoration of the Lapstone Tunnel,” the spokesperson added.
