Statement from the Board | Lakeside Project
Statement From the Board
Activation of the foreshore of Rocky Valley Dam at Falls Creek has been in the strategy pipeline over many years.
The Falls Creek Masterplan 2016 lists the Lakeside Development precinct as a key development node and the Victorian Alpine Resort Visitor Economy Development plan has further highlighted this precinct as a priority transformational project.
Current project background
The lakeside precinct currently houses the ANARE shed (the acronym stands for the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition). This shed, currently used for storage, provides scenic views across Rocky Valley Dam, the highest significant body of water in Australia. The current upgrade for the precinct provides for the redevelopment of the ANARE shed into a destination venue, incorporating trail head for the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing, water sports base, cafe, public space/shelter, and interpretation centre.
The establishment of an iconic alpine crossing trailhead, along with a pontoon, jetty and enhancement of the tourism infrastructure will underpin other nature-based activities and highlight the significance of the alpine environment, flora and fauna through using this precinct as an education gateway.
The project advanced post the 2019/2020 bushfires and consequential evacuations of the resort over that summer, resulting in the complete loss of summer trade for the remainder of the green season. The Falls Creek Community Recovery Committee’s surveying of priority projects across its local community saw this project as the preferred development for consideration to apply for grant funding through Bushfire Recovery Victoria’s Local Economic Recovery Program.
The application was successful and the Falls Creek Alpine Resort Management Board (FCARMB) received $2.5m to undertake works to activate this area.
FCARMB established a project steering committee in early 2021 with the key asset owners of associated infrastructure in the region, AGL and Parks Victoria, to begin the formulation of the development plans.
In collaboration with Regional Development Victoria, FCARMB managed to secure further support to activate the lakeside area, with funds secured to construct a boat ramp, via Victorian Fisheries Authority funding and the Victorian Government’s Alpine Recovery Funding.
Community engagement
Following the FCARMB’s engagement framework and consistent with the project’s engagement plan, an external service provider has been engaged and a series of facilitated sessions with broader users has commenced.
The FCARMB executive has also been engaging with high volume users, including schools, clubs, tour operators, event companies and the like to get further scope on what is currently in the initial design phase.
As the engagement continues, this site will continue to be updated with information gained from feedback and engagement.
An online survey will shortly be made available to all interested parties. Early registrations are possible through both the below link and direct contact with FCARMB’s Economic Development and Land Management Team ([email protected]).
Impact on existing cross country trails
Full all-year-round activation of the redeveloped ANARE shed would likely require the removal of snow from the key access road which provides transport to the Lakeside Precinct. This road currently forms the base of part of the cross country trail network.
Whilst the FCARMB has not made a decision with respect to clearing snow from the road and will not be doing so in its remaining term, community feedback is being sought on a range of opportunities for activation of the lakeside precinct. This includes working with clubs and user groups on the widening of other cross country access options and new trail development to compensate if future changes are made to the current trail network.
This feedback will inform future strategic planning around the lakeside and its activation. In addition, the FCARMB will be recommending to the incoming ARV Board that a strategic review of XC skiing be undertaken as a priority project.
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