"The time is right to open it up, the time is right to say 'no longer is this going to be a hidden part of our history'," he said. "This is going to become part of our international tourism marketing campaign to encourage people to come to NSW, come to Sydney, but do it in a way that is fun." Bars, restaurants and shops could be opened in the space under St James station in the plan announced on Monday. Credit:Christopher Pearce The plan would revive the north section of the disused tunnel network that sits about 30 metres below street-level and snakes beneath Hyde Park and Macquarie Street, towards Martin Place. Sydney Trains chief executive Howard Collins said he had believed for a long time the tunnel space had "global potential".

The area is expected to be a tourist drawcard for Sydney. Credit:Christopher Pearce "Many global cities use these spaces in a great way for tourism, for bars, for visitors," he said. "I've been down here many times thinking, 'Why should it just be rail employees and a few special visitors who see this space?' He said any revamp should take into account the space's heritage. "It's got a historic feel to it, I don't want to lose that," he said. "You can still hear the trains running, you get the atmosphere of a time gone by."

The tunnels sit about 30 metres below street level, snaking beneath Hyde Park and Macquarie Street. Credit:Christopher Pearce The station's two ghost tunnels -- which have been ruled out for future use as rail links --were built in the 1920s as part of John Bradfield's design for a major transport interchange that would connect the eastern suburbs and northern beaches. The site was designed to support four tunnels, but only two were fully constructed. The government is seeking expressions of interest to transform the area into a tourist attraction. Credit:Christopher Pearce Parts of the southern tunnel were used as an air raid shelter during World War II, and as a mushroom farm between 1933 and 1934.

Films and television shows, including the 1990s series Police Rescue and The Matrix Revolution, have also been shot in the tunnels. The dank spaces are also believed to have been used by secret societies for meetings and seances. The expressions of interest process for the subterranean area's revamp will be managed by Sydney Trains and international real estate agent CBRE. Transport Minister Andrew Constance said "the time is right" to open up the tunnels to the public. Credit:Christopher Pearce CBRE's retail leasing director Leif Olsen said customers were looking for "new experiences and something that's unique" and "St James tunnel gives us that in spades".