Our proposal involves restoring the tunnel complex to create a new transport link and new public amenities, with additional spaces recovered for historical displays, tourism attractions, a café and boutique food retailing.

The complex will be brought up to modern building standards using state of the art tunnelling methods. It will be lined with steel reinforced concrete and fitted with all the lighting, ventilation, safety and security systems required to meet current building codes for public infrastructure.

The plan is based on a social enterprise business model. Under this model we will use private investment to rebuild the tunnels and reopen them to the public, with the capital investment paid back by the revenues generated by the tourist attractions and retailing, and through entrance charges for some of the other facilities.

This business model requires the complex to make enough profit to pay for itself and to cover the costs of restoring public access. While it requires a partnership with the council and various local agencies, we are not asking for any ratepayers money or a government handout. Rather, the complex would take a long-term lease on the tunnels and actually make a small ground lease payment back to the council for the right to occupy the space.

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