FACT SHEET 4. VIBRANT RESORTS: The Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy has been prepared to Aim: to ensure that the resorts will be vibrant economic guide the sustainable long term planning and management entities making a strong contribution to Victoria and their of Victoria’s six alpine resorts: Falls Creek, Lake Mountain, local regions. Mount Baw Baw, Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and Mount Actions include: Stirling. • Encourage the development of ecotourism, heritage, The Strategy provides management actions that balance interpretation and educational products as part of year the important recreational and regional economic roles that round viability the resorts provide whilst recognising the unique natural • Develop an investment strategy for each resort to environment in which Victoria’s alpine resorts sit. attract further private sector interest Following is a summary of the main actions for managing 5. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: the challenges that alpine resorts will face: Aim: to ensure future management and development of the 1. CLIMATE CHANGE: resorts will be undertaken within an ecologically Aim: to remain committed to snow tourism and manage the sustainable framework. impacts of climate change. Actions include: Research by the CSIRO on the impact of climate change • Degraded areas to be rehabilitated on Australia’s alpine resorts shows that Victoria’s large • Undertake further research into species mapping and alpine resorts will be able to manage the impact of climate monitoring of flora and fauna communities change and continue to provide skiing and other snow • Each resort to maintain and periodically update their activities with little impact until at least the year 2020. Environmental Management Plan Actions include: • Monitor and maintain water quality • Invest in waste water treatment recycling technology • Further investment in snow making for the higher 6. STEWARDSHIP OF PUBLIC LAND: altitude alpine resorts • Lower altitude resorts will make smaller investments in Aim: resort management to embrace the stewardship role snow making and focus on snow play and they have across each resort, working cooperatively with maintenance of ‘high wear’ ski trails their communities. • All resorts will move towards four season use Actions include: 2. RESORT USE AND VISITATION: • Alpine Resort Management Boards (ARMBs) will retain a commitment to long term planning Aim: to stimulate the current winter market, acknowledging leisure trends and a maturing population and stimulate • ARMBs will be responsive to their stakeholder communities non-winter visitation through provision of high quality experiences and safe access. • Enhanced communication between stakeholders to increase cooperative product development and Winter visitation: marketing Globally, stable winter visitation to ski resorts suggests that the industry is mature. Implementation and review Summer visitation: For each action in the Alpine Resorts 2020 Strategy, an Summer visitation to Victoria’s alpine resorts has at least agency has been identified to be accountable for its doubled over the last decade from a small base. implementation and other major stakeholders with an interest or responsibility have been listed as ‘partners’. Actions include: The strategy will be reviewed in 5 years to make sure it is • Investigation of new winter markets and converting still relevant. Groups responsible for implementing actions occasional visitors into regular visitors will be required to report on their progress. • Provide a marketable product for a maturing population Further information: • Develop resort specific strategies to attract non winter For further information or a copy of the Alpine Resorts visitation 2020 Strategy, contact the Department of Sustainability • Work with Parks Victoria and other land managers to and Environment’s Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or improve linkages with adjoining National Parks visit www.dse.vic.gov.au/recreation and tourism/alpine 3. DEVELOPMENT OF THE RESORTS: resorts Aim: to develop the visitor experience by providing June 2004 attractive mountain villages with local character that fits ISBN 1 74106 879 7 with the alpine setting. Actions include: © The State of Victoria, • Strengthen the Alpine Resorts Planning Scheme’s Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2003 design guidelines for each resort to identify and This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of promote individual resort character Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the • Encourage the provision of a diverse range of quality publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate accommodation in a variety of styles for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability • Promote energy efficient practices for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.