Blue Mountains News

Accessed from Governor’s Drive, the eastern cutting track has been closed to the public since April, when successive storm events caused significant damage to the track surface and nearby Sydney Water infrastructure.

The work involves clearing rubble and other debris from the track before relaying the path’s surface, making it safe again for community access.

These works are expected to be complete in late November (weather permitting).

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said, “The rain event in April this year hit our region hard, particularly at sites across the Scenic Eastern Escarpment, where the Lapstone Hill Tunnel is located.

“Council had only recently completed extensive remediation works to the track and the tunnel itself, including the removal of 1700 tonnes of rubbish from the tunnel and 1200 tonnes of sediment from along the eastern cutting track.

“With the extreme rainfall, water coursed down through the tunnel causing a large amount of damage, including extensive erosion along the eastern cutting track and a significant land slip.

“Since that time Council has been assessing the damage and the heritage implications for the tunnel and its approaches.”

The tunnel remediation and restoration work is grant funded by the current land manager, NSW Crown Lands.

For further information and project updates visit:  here