Tunnel Dean’s crop

GROWING CONCERN

HIDDEN under the surface at Mt Rumney on Hobart’s Eastern Shore is a unique gem, — a disused 1891 railway tunnel, being used to grow premium food.

Passionate growers Dean and Anita Smith are cultivating fungi — nutritious oyster mushrooms. Mr Smith is also growing several varieties of white, grey and tan mushrooms.

Mr Smith, a former electrician, said he started tinkering, as a hobby, growing mushrooms in the subterranean space about 10 years ago.

“The last three years I’ve started taking it seriously to get to a commercial size. I am a one-man show. I do it all, and I love it,” Mr Smith said.

“I love the science behind growing mushrooms, it's an all-consuming occupation. Everything I grow I sell to local restaurants. I plan to increase yield and expand the business, the whole place has huge potential.”

Tunnel Hill Mushrooms was a state winner in the delicious magazine food awards and is up for national honours in August.

“I was nominated by chefs from restaurants I supply. It’s my first time in the awards and it’s great, I am really happy about it.”

Mr Smith’s tunnel, 12m under the surface, maintains a temperature of about 13-14C all year. He uses 60m near the entrance of the 160m long tunnel, which was active for trains from 1892 to 1926, linking Bellerive and Sorell.