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Mt Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board Annual Report 2007— 2008 2 Mt Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board Annual Report 2007— 2008 Prepared By: Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management PO Box 188, Bright Victoria 3741 Phone: (03) 5759 3550 Fax: (03) 5759 3693 www.mthotham.com.au 3 Letter to the Minister The Honorable Gavin Jennings Minister for Environment and Climate Change PO Box 500 East Melbourne Victoria 3002 Dear Minister, 2007/2008 Annual Report In accordance with the FMA 1994, I am please to present the Report of Operations for the Mt Hotham Resort Management Board for the year ending 31st October 2008, which includes statements of the Board’s performance and operations. It also includes the statement of accounts for the period 1st November 2007 to 31st October 2008 in accordance with Section 46-50 of the Financial Management Act 1994. The report is submitted to you for tabling in Parliament. On behalf of the Board, management and staff, we would like to extend our appreciation for the support given to us by you and your staff and the staff of the Coasts, Alps and Recreation branch of the Department of Sustainability and Environment. We look forward to working together in the future to realise our goals and aspirations. Geoff Provis Jim Atteridge CHAIRMAN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Dated: 15th January 2009 4 Contents OVERVIEW Who are we 6 Mt Hotham—Our History 8 Key Performance Indicators/Financial Summary 9 Chairman’s Report 10 Chief Executive Officer’s Report 12 Mt Hotham Board 14 CORPORATE SERVICES Corporate Governance 16 Legislative Compliance 17 Workforce and Organisational Development 20 Emergency Management and Community Areas 24 Organisational Information and Communication Systems 25 PUBLIC ACCESS, SAFETY AND EDUCATION Risk Management and Geo-tech Program 26 Skier Safety 27 Resort and Customer Services 28 MARKETING General Marketing 32 Communication 34 LAND MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Environmental Management 36 Capital Works 38 Business Development 39 Contract Administration 40 UTILITIES Potable Water and Wastewater 42 Wastewater and Water Conservation Project 43 Solid Waste Management 46 BUSINESS UNDERTAKINGS Gas Operations 48 Victorian Alps Nursery 49 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 50 APPENDICES Appendix One—Disclosure Index 66 5 Overview Who Are We Our Mission: To manage the Mt Hotham Alpine Resort in a manner that is environmentally sustainable and economically viable for the social benefit of current and future generations. THE BOARD’S OBJECTIVES Our Strategic imperatives are to: tourism industry and proactively plan for the impacts of climate change. ⇒ Be Solvent ⇒ Be Legal Mount Hotham will remain viable for snow based recreation until at ⇒ Be Safe least 2020. Investment at Mount Hotham is already focusing on ⇒ Focus on Core Business broader bi-season (white and green) recreational opportunities. ⇒ Deliver Customer Satisfaction Resort Use and Visitation ⇒ Deliver Contemporary Infrastructure ⇒ Deliver Contemporary Services Mt Hotham provides the highest quality winter alpine experience in ⇒ Grow Australia. We facilitate safe access to our alpine environment for ⇒ Deliver an Ethical Organisation recreational use through both the winter and non winter seasons. ⇒ Deliver a Performing Organisation Mt Hotham has experienced significant growth over the past two So that we: “Grow the common wealth of Victoria by decades; contrary to stagnant trends in this industry. Such sub- the optimal management of the Crown Asset”. The stantial growth in visitation requires significant additional develop- vision driving the Board’s agenda is clear and challeng- ment of infrastructure, accommodation and skiing services. ing: “High on Hotham—Australia’s Premier Alpine Re- Development of Mt Hotham sort Destination.” Mt Hotham will continue to enhance the visitor experience by pro- Underpinned by a focus on customer service and viding an attractive, ecologically sustainable mountain village that effective communication, the Board achieved this has local character and a distinct sense of place in the landscape. mission through quality services to: Design guidelines and the Alpine Resorts Planning Scheme are ⇒ The Crown identified as key tools to improve the urban design of the resort. ⇒ Our Environment Planning scheme amendments to the Alpine Resorts Planning ⇒ Our Customers Scheme has seen significant private investment in the Resort. ⇒ Our Property ⇒ Our Stakeholders, Investors and Developers Vibrant Mt Hotham ⇒ Our Corporate Performance Mt Hotham will be a vibrant economic entity making a strong con- tribution to Victoria and our local region. OUR STRATEGY Mt Hotham is a major contributor to the regional communities of The following six broad issues have been identified to providing both employment and financial benefits. It generates help realise the vision. Detailed challenges, future op- substantial commercial activity in sub alpine towns throughout the portunities and actions have been identified for each year. statement of strategic direction. Climate Change Mt Hotham will remain strongly committed to a snow 6 Our Vision: High On Hotham…….....Australia’s Alpine Destination Environmental Management Public Access, Safety and Education All current and future management and development of Mt Hotham will seek to be undertaken within an ecologically sus- Public Infrastructure, Visitor Safety, Car Parks and Roads, tainable framework. Gate Entry, Traffic Control, Transport, Trails and Snowplay, Snow Clearing, Public Liability Insurance. Mt Hotham’s Environmental Management Plan which in addi- tion to flora, fauna, pest and weed management programs, is Corporate Services strengthened by the adoption of the EPA Victoria’s Ecological Board, Administration, Support Payments (ARCC), Compli- Footprint methodology and the inclusion of a water conserva- ance, Corporate Governance, Risk Management, OH&S, Fi- tion program, will help move the resort towards sustainability. nancial Management, Information Technology, Interest Ex- The Mt Hotham Alpine Resort has also invested in a sustain- pense. able future by acquisition of the Alpine Nursery to ensure the Commercial Business future supply of plant stock for all revegetation of the alpine resorts. Gas supply and Alpine Nursery. Stewardship of Mt Hotham OUR VALUES The Board actively embraces the stewardship role it holds at Our Organisation Mt Hotham and will work co-operatively with our local alpine Recognising the need for consistent organisation wide princi- and sub-alpine communities. ples, practices and values, or Corporate Consistencies. The relationship with surrounding land managers will be These Corporate Consistencies provide a framework for strengthened to recognise synergistic relationships and maxi- ⇒ integrated strategic planning and policy making, mize the diversity of experiences available to visitors. Indige- ⇒ equity, consistency and certainty to customers and nous Australians will be consulted as part of the planning proc- staff, esses. Opportunities also exist for further co-operation be- ⇒ a united organization with a common set of values and tween each resort. ⇒ the consistent use of best practice systems. NATURE AND SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES Our People The Board is charged with the delivery of the following six core Willing, flexible and competent people working together with services necessary to maintain the ongoing daily viability of the common vision, effective communication and a commitment to resort. excellence in service and environmental management with shared values of Utilities ⇒ Honesty Water, sewerage, drainage, garbage, gas, plant/vehicle and ⇒ Authenticity workshop. ⇒ Completion Land Management and Environmental Services ⇒ Integrity ⇒ Accuracy Land Management, Environmental Stewardship, Property and ⇒ Timeliness Leasing, Planning, Building, Health, Engineering Services, ⇒ Openness Operations. to deliver the best optimal value of any organisation in the Marketing Victorian Public Service. Marketing and information, Business Development, Communi- cation Strategies. 7 Overview Mt Hotham—Our History OUR HISTORY European history begins in 1854 when Baron Sir Ferdi- nand von Muller first explored the slopes and named it after Governor Hotham. Graziers commenced stock movement between Cobungra and the Ovens and Kiewa Valleys. Grazing interest was soon followed by miners looking for gold. Settlement began in 1863 when the first regular accom- modation was established at St Bernard by Mother Morrell, later becoming known as "The St Bernard Hos- pice" (pictured right). Unfortunately, it burned down in the 1939 fires. In 1874, 640 hectares was set aside for public usage and the public encouraged to use the area as a holiday desti- Road which was finally sealed between Harrietville and nation. In 1925 a cottage built of stone by Italian masons Omeo in 1998. At the time the resort was growing quickly was christened "Hotham Heights". The cottage accommo- with the opening of 130 rooms in the Arlberg Inn in 1983. dated about 20 people including Bill Spargo, Country The Lift Company established it’s own ski school and hire. Roads Board patrolman, who was responsible for manag- More lifts were installed including the Heavenly Valley Chair ing an improved Alpine Road between Harrietville and in 1987 and Village Chair in 1993. In 1988 Hotham Central Omeo. was linked to White Crystal to provide Ticket sales, Ski By Ministerial request in 1933 the Railways Department School and Hire operations. took over management of Hotham Heights from the Coun- During the mid 1990s the ARC