Alpine Industry Sector Announcement
NEW DIRECTION FOR VICTORIA’S ALPINE RESORTS
The Andrews Labor Government today announced the establishment of a new champion for Victoria’s $1.1 billion alpine economy, ensuring a sustainable future for the state’s alpine resorts.
Alpine Resorts Victoria – set to start work by July 2022 – is the result of Government reforms to make Alpine Boards more efficient.
Created by merging Victoria’s four alpine resort management boards, Alpine Resorts Victoria will govern Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Mt Buller, Mt Stirling, Lake Mountain and Mt Baw Baw resorts.
The alpine sector is an important contributor to regional economies. In winter alone, these resorts collectively contribute nearly $1.1 billion to the Victorian economy, attracting one million visitors and sustaining nearly ten thousand jobs.
Existing leases with Alpine Resort Management Boards will be transferred to the new Alpine Resorts Victoria with no changes to their terms and conditions. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning will take on the strategic policy functions of the former Alpine Resorts Coordinating Council.
This change follows consultation with a range of stakeholders, including industry, local government and the resort management boards. There is broad support for the creation of a single entity to ensure long term sustainability of the alpine industry and tourism while making sure the resorts are operating in a financially sustainable way.
A stakeholder reference group will also be established to ensure key interests including industry representatives, Traditional Owners and local government have input in the transition to the new body.
Importantly, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians will also be represented on the new Alpine Resorts Victoria board to ensure management decisions consider their significant local knowledge and enduring connection to Country.
Read the Principles of Alpine Management Reform from the Minister on the Department of Environment, Energy, Water and Planning website.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio
“Alpine Resorts Victoria will support the alpine industry to build economic resilience and navigate the challenges of climate change and recovery.”
“We are growing Victoria’s regional economy while making sure all our communities can build a sustainable future for their region.”
“A new governance arrangement for our alpine resorts will help the sector and our communities recover from the bushfires and pandemic, while also planning for the future in the face of growing climate challenges.”
CLICK HERE to view the Andrew's Labour Government announcement
Alpine Resorts Victoria: a new era
By July 2022, the Victorian Government will complete major reforms to secure the future of our state’s alpine resorts through the creation of Alpine Resorts Victoria.
Alpine Resorts Victoria will govern the Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Mt Buller, Mt Stirling, Lake Mountain and Mt Baw Baw alpine resorts.
The new body will be established through the merger of Victoria’s four existing Alpine Resort Management Boards (ARMBs) and the abolition of the Alpine Resorts Coordinating Council (ARCC).
This decision follows consultation with boards of the ARMBs and the ARCC and key industry stakeholders that demonstrated broad support for reform to create economic resilience and ensure the long-term sustainable future of Victoria’s alpine resorts sector, while recognising its importance to regional local communities and the state’s visitor economy.
Alpine Resorts Victoria will support alpine resorts and associated communities as they recover from effects of the 2019-20 bushfires and, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and enable regional communities to flourish and develop unique opportunities.
It will develop and implement strategic planning across the sector to underpin the future of alpine-based tourism, which is a major contributor to regional economies, and will deliver positive outcomes that will enable a sustainable future for all alpine resorts, visitors and regional communities.
Alpine resorts are a vital part of regional Victoria’s economy. In winter alone, these resorts collectively contribute nearly $1.1 billion in GSP, attract one million visitors per year and support almost 10,000 regional jobs.
More information and the next steps
Further consultation will take place with industry, partners and key stakeholders. To assist this a Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG) will be established that will include representatives from industry, Traditional Owners, Local Government, ARMBs and the ARCC during transition planning.
Legislation to merge existing ARMBs is expected to be introduced in the Victorian Parliament in late 2021 following consultation and drafting, with the new entity to begin operating by July 2022.
The composition of the new board Alpine Resorts Victoria will ensure that traditional owner voices are heard.
A key principle will be ensuring industry has a platform to directly advise Alpine Resorts Victoria on strategic and operational directions for each resort.
Staff at ARMBs will be transferred to Alpine Resorts Victoria and staff at the ARCC will be redeployed to positions within the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).
All lease agreements with existing ARMBs will transfer to Alpine Resorts Victoria and any associated adjustments in existing terms and conditions will be managed equitably and transparently.
* Further Questions and Answers to be developed in collaboration with the Stakeholder Reference Group and community using the EngageVic portal.