A grassroots campaign, based in north east Victoria, working to thrust the Mount Buffalo National Park onto the international tourism stage has received much-needed state funding to progress the project.
The Alpine Shire Council, where the park is located, has received $200 000 from the Victorian Government to carry out a feasibility study on the development of year-round tourism experiences at Mount Buffalo.
The 27, 471 hectare alpine park is the oldest National Park in Victoria, attracts 181, 000 visitors a year, and features sheer cliffs, hosts recreational activities such kayaking, camping, and hiking, and boasts native and unique flora and fauna, including dingos.
It also is home to the 110-year-old heritage listed Mount Buffalo Chalet- Australia's largest timber building, which has affectionately earnt the nickname 'The Grand Old Lady' from the generations who have visited.
But a recent strategic assessment report by Management and Economics Advisory Firm, Aalto, highlights a lack of tourism yield to reinvest in the development and protection of the National Park.
It's been a decade since the Chalet stopped operating, and the building has rapidly deteriorated in the harsh Alpine conditions, prompting the push by North East Victorian residents to try to save the mothballed building and turn the region into a world-class tourism destination.
A new chapter for the project
The Alpine Shire Council will begin seeking expressions of interest in January, 2018 to begin the feasibility study process.
The Alpine mayor, Ron Janas, said it's rewarding to see the government fund the study after an enormous community effort.
'What it really means is what we can put forward to government is a good, solid base for not only government, but private investment," he said.
"I think the government is serious about it because they can see the economic benefit, not only to our shire, but to the state, for tourism and recreation.
"It ticks all the boxes."
Creating a world class destination from grassroots
Residents living in the shadow of the mighty Mount Buffalo know first-hand that an international tourism attraction can't be created overnight.
In 2015, a group of residents met with the with Victorian Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water, in a bid to save the fading Chalet, prompting the formation of the Mount Buffalo Destination Advisory Group, which has been assigned to work with Parks Victoria to secure a viable future for the
Chalet.
Over two years, the group has worked with 200 contributors and met with hundreds of residents to create a 40-page proposal to turn the Chalet and mountain into a world-class tourism destination.
That proposal was lodged with the Victorian government in February, 2017.
It features year-round tourism experiences, including glamping, residential schooling, and repurposing 95 per cent of the chalet building.
The Alpine council's feasibility study, which is being funded through the state's $103 million Regional Tourism Infrastructure fund, will look at the potential demand and target market for those identified tourism concepts, review infrastructure and road capacity on Mt Buffalo, and prepare a marketing plan for
feasible options.
"We want people to come and enjoy the natural beauty of Mt Buffalo and the High Country all year round," Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Danielle Green said.
"We are excited to help Alpine Shire Council turn their ideas into a reality.
"We have worked closely with the Ovens Murray Regional Partnership to take the first step to awaken Mount Buffalo."
The Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, said it's important to examine the year-round tourism potential for the region.
"It's already a winter wonderland, and through this funding we want to attract visitors in summer to hike, camp and kayak to the heart of our North East."
"I think it's excellent news and I'm really pleased the government's come on board after the community has put in such a tremendous effort in getting all this information together.
