The Victorian Government has announced it is ‘investing in the future of Mount Buffalo as a 12-months-a-year tourism destination through support for new “eco pod” accommodation’ at a cost of $1.5 million. The government is also seeking private investment for a cafe within the Mount Buffalo Chalet.
The following is from a media release from the Victorian premier.
Part of the Government’s $2.7 billion Building Works package, the Mount Buffalo community and its visitors will benefit from the $1.5 million injection to build the luxury Alpine pods.
Building Works is backing shovel-ready projects – big and small – to get thousands of people back to work.
The eco pod investment comes as Parks Victoria prepares to instigate an Expression of Interest process to seek private investment for a cafe within the iconic Mount Buffalo Chalet. The EOI proposal is for a year-round café in the front part of the Chalet, which would offer regional produce along with self-guided tours of the Chalet ballroom.
Mount Buffalo is a winter wonderland attracting more than 230,000 visitors a year and the addition of a new accommodation option and potential new café will attract more visitors in summer to hike, camp and kayak.
The potential for a café and environmentally-friendly accommodation were raised after the Alpine Shire Council undertook a business case assessment, funded by the Victorian Government, to help realise Mount Buffalo National Park’s potential to become a year-round destination.
The Government has previously committed $1.5 million to upgrade the Gorge Visitor Centre Area within the Mount Buffalo National Park. The project has been carried out in two stages, due to the complexity of works.
The stage two works featuring a new lookout are nearly complete and will also enhance Mount Buffalo National Park’s appeal as an all-seasons destination. Visitation at the national park is increasing by 5 per cent annually, with the majority of visitors attending over summer. This strength in summer visitation is unique in the High Country.
Local businesses and industry groups were consulted as part of the business assessment and demonstrated an appetite for experienced tourism and hospitality operators to be involved in future tourism opportunities.
Development of the Chalet is subject to planning requirements and the Government is working with the Alpine Shire to ensure any planning restrictions are resolved ahead of the EOI process expected to commence in late 2020.
The Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D ’Ambrosio said:
“The Chalet is an important part of Victoria’s heritage and any development at the site must add value to our High Country’s natural assets.”
Other voices
I have not yet seen reactions from local community organisations or the Victorian National Parks Association.
[HEADER IMAGE: https://www.facebook.com/mountbuffalochalet/ ]
May 20, 2020 at 10:55 am
Any development for the Mt Buffalo Chalet would certainly be a draw card to the General Public for the overall benefit of the region…..been shut for awhile….so I don’t think $m1.5 will go far
May 20, 2020 at 3:16 pm
Do we know anything about these mysterious eco-pods?
[From Cam:
Not that I have seen. There are various news stories up, but they are all just based on the premier’s media release. We don’t know the planned location for the pods. I assume they would look something like the images in the link below. There are details on the ‘Eco Sleeper Pods’ program from PV at the bottom of this story:
https://engage.vic.gov.au/canopy-eco-sleeper-pods-iconic-pop-accommodation-pilot ]
May 20, 2020 at 3:42 pm
Fancy name for something on the lower end of the accomodation scale……because $m1.5 is small. And will not do justice to such a grand old lady…….asked Dean Bell. Ex operator in the 90s