Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy - Q and As
The Strategy:
What is the Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy?
The Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy guides the sustainable long term planning and management of Victoria’s six alpine resorts: Falls Creek, Lake Mountain, Mount Baw Baw, Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and Mount Stirling.
Why was the Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy produced?
A 1999 policy commitment identified the need for a statewide long-term strategy to maintain the quality of our resorts and proactively plan for the impacts of climate change.
What are the objectives of the Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy?
The strategy proposes to achieve a vision of four season, vibrant, sustainable resorts through actions related to the following six issues:
- Climate change
- Resort use and visitation
- Development of the resorts
- Vibrancy of the resorts
- Environmental management
- Stewardship of public land
Who is the Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy ultimately aimed at?
The Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy is a whole of Government approach that aims to provide confidence to alpine related industries and achieve positive outcomes for all Victorians. This means that the strategy will guide several Government departments, government agencies and non-government organisations, as well as the Alpine Resorts Management Boards (ARMBs)
Who will the Alpine 2020 Strategy benefit?
Implementation of the Alpine Resorts 2020 strategy benefits all Victorians. As land that is owned and managed for all Victorians, the future management of Victoria’s six alpine resorts will impact on the recreational, environmental and economic values of the region and the broader Victorian economy.
The Strategy’s vision of four season, vibrant, sustainable resorts benefits the resorts, their visitors, the sustainability of the region and Victoria as a whole.
Who was responsible for compilation of the Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy?
The Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy was compiled with contributions from the public, key stakeholders in the Victorian alpine resorts, a number of Government agencies and the Alpine Resort Management Boards.
A Working Group, chaired by the Hon. John Button, was established to inform the development of the Draft Strategy.
The Alpine Resorts 2020 Working Group comprised representatives from stakeholders in the resorts including: the resort Boards; the Alpine Resorts Coordinating Council; commercial interests; skier groups; environment groups; local government, the Department of Infrastructure; Parks Victoria; Tourism Victoria; and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
What consultation has occurred in the compilation of the Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy?
An Alpine Resorts 2020 Discussion Paper was released for broad public consultation through the winter of 2002 as the first step in developing a strategic vision and framework for the future planning of the resorts. A series of public workshops on the Discussion Paper were held in Melbourne and regional Victoria. Eighty submissions were received in response to the Discussion Paper. Most Alpine Resort Management Boards also held their own community workshops to assist them in drafting their submissions to the Discussion Paper.
The submissions received on the Discussion Paper were used by the Alpine Resorts 2020 Working Group to reach consensus on the way forward on a number of key issues. The Alpine Resorts 2020 Draft Strategy was then developed and released for a three month period of broad public consultation during 2003.
A total of thirty-nine written submissions were received in response to the Draft Strategy, in addition to feedback gained from public forums held in Benalla and Melbourne. Targeted meetings were also held with key central agencies and the resorts to gain their input on the development of the final Strategy.
All feedback received on the Draft Strategy was then considered when finalising the Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy.
Who will be responsible for implementation of the Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy?
An agency has been identified to be accountable for implementation of each action contained in the Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy. Other major stakeholders with an interest or responsibility have been listed as ‘partners’. Key agencies include the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Parks Victoria, Tourism Victoria, the Alpine Resorts Coordinating Council and the Resort Boards.
What are the key actions included in the Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy?
- Proactive response to climate change
- Better utilisation of existing assets and infrastructure by encouraging four season use
- Environmentally sustainable development
- Environmentally friendly management frameworks
- Investment strategies for each resort to attract further private sector investment
Refer to Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy Fact Sheet.
Why weren’t Victoria’s alpine resorts already being managed according to the recommendations made in the Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy? None of the actions appears to be particularly innovative or unique.
Like all management plans, the Alpine Resorts 2020 Draft Strategy was developed to ensure continual improvement.
The research conducted by CSIRO into the impacts of climate change on snow conditions in Australia as part of the development of the Strategy updated previous research, which was more than a decade old. It provided new and relevant information for the resorts and had a major influence on the development of the Strategy.
While it seeks to provide strategic direction and vision for the State’s alpine resorts up to the year 2020, a legislative commitment has been made that the Strategy be reviewed and revised every 5 years to ensure it remains up-to-date and relevant. Factors such as improvements in understanding and management practices, changing demographic patterns and technological advances will necessitate review. An update of climate change research and impacts on the alpine resorts will be a major part of this process.
The review process would involve a broad public consultation process consistent with those undertaken during the development of the Strategy.
The Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy has also facilitated improved understanding of the impacts of future climate change on natural snow cover in Australia. A new version of CSIRO’s snow model was developed and applied for a study which was commissioned by the Commonwealth, Victorian and NSW Government agencies, together with industry. Climate change impacts on snow conditions in Australia (2003) projects scenarios for the impacts of climate change on alpine resorts and sites of biological significance. Sections of this report are included in the Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy and a copy of the report can be found at www.dse.vic.gov.au/alpineresorts/.
Refer FAQ’s on climate change for more information.
How can I get a copy of the Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy?
Copies of the Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy can be found at:
- www.dse.vic.gov.au/alpineresorts
- The DSE Customer Service Centre (136 186).
- All Victorian Alpine Resorts
Alpine General:
How many people visit Victoria’s alpine resorts and when?
Up to 900,000 people visit the alpine resorts during the winter season, with growing numbers visiting in the non-winter season.
Who owns the land that on which the resorts sit?
Victoria's alpine resorts are located on public land – land owned and managed for all Victorians.
Who is responsible for management of the alpine resorts and villages?
Each of Victoria’s six alpine resorts are declared as alpine resorts under the Alpine Resorts Act 1983. This Act provides for coordinated planning and management via an Alpine Resorts Coordinating Council (ARCC) and Alpine Resort Management Boards (ARMBs). The ARCC provides advice to the Minister and facilitates investment for improvement of alpine resorts. The ARMBs are a Committee of Management and provide services similar to local councils including water supply, safety, gas, garbage disposal and fee collection. The ARMBs are also responsible for the overall marketing of the resorts.
What economic contribution do the alpine resorts make to Victoria each year?
The resorts contribute an additional $505 million to Victoria’s economy annually and provide over 6,571 jobs (ARCC,The Economic Significance of the Australian Alps: Summary Report,June 2006, p.1). They are significant economic drivers in their regions.