A MOUNTAIN of cash is being sought from the federal government in this month's federal budget to help lift tourism facilities at Mt Hotham and Falls Creek alpine resorts.
Indi Independent federal MP Helen Haines, with the backing of Alpine Resorts Victoria, is pitching for project support in the vicinity of almost $50 million, as part of an Indi electorate submission of priorities which could help further transform the region.
Projects at both alpine resorts are also expected to deliver an economic boost to the feeder towns of Bright, Harrietville and Mt Beauty.
At Mount Hotham, priority projects include ‘Mount Hotham Business, Visitor and Community Centre’, as well as the ‘Hotham Heaven Walk and Trails Upgrade’.
The proposed centre will centralise public amenity and include a range of new services and experiences in one facility, such as a visitor centre and transport interchange, retail offerings, commercial gym and operational spaces for a range of public, private and not-for-profit entities.
A Commonwealth contribution of $20 million has been proposed for the project and has been given funding priority due to the multifaceted nature of the facility and its ability to deliver triple bottom line outcomes for the resort in one iconic development.
The ‘Heaven Walk and Trails Upgrade’ calls on $23 million from the federal government to expand the existing trail network to better meet market demand and achieve Mount Hotham’s goal as the lead walking tourism destination in Victoria.
Spanning the resort, the Heaven Walk will feature cantilevered walkways and architecturally designed features and lookouts that seek to boost tourism for the High Country.
In Falls Creek, the ‘Falls Creek Emergency Response Village Road Connections’ and ‘Falls Creek Alpine Community Sports and Events Hub’ are proposed.
The ‘Village Road Connections’ project proposes to connect dead-end roads in the area to create a simple loop-based system allowing larger vehicles to easily navigate the road network in both summer and winter, as well as considering future adaptation infrastructure.
The total project cost is estimated at $3.5 million, with the federal contribution set at $3.1 million.
Falls Creek’s ‘Alpine Community Sports and Events Hub’ will house an undercover portico and indoor multi-use hub, with supporting essential infrastructure that will include accessible change rooms, toilet facilities, a commercial kitchen and storage facilities.
Designed to be accessible by all potential users, the hub would be situated at the Nordic Bowl precinct, with a total project cost of $3.9 million contributed by the federal government.
