Contents
·   Village transport news
·   Dogs in the resort
·   Essential safety measures reminder
·   Waste and recycling update 
·   RMB staff movements
·   Illegal waste dumping survey
·   TNE imagery workshop in Bright 
·   Welcome to Justin Jenvey

Village transport news

We’re into our second year with Alpine Spirit as our transport provider for the Village Bus Service, and there are a number of changes for this season based on our experience last season and feedback received from stakeholders.

1. New bus fleet

• Larger buses (81 person capacity) that are also better suited to the challenges of the alpine environment
• Removal of external ski racks to improve load/unload times and improve safety of foot traffic around the buses
• Improved rubber matting placement inside the buses
• Double doors at both front and rear for improved load/unload times
• Improved GPS tracking resulting in improved bus stop announcements
• GPS activated voice over announcements – informing guests of the next bus stop and in some cases, the activities available as these stops.
• Electric wheelchair ramps

Alpine Spirit have purchased a new fleet of Mercedes buses, which provide a larger capacity for improved passenger comfort and improved performance in the alpine conditions.

Due to the increased size of the vehicles, we were unable to fit external ski racks, as this increases the clearance required by regulation at bus stops and for turning. Alpine Spirit have therefore removed two bench seats (= 4 seats) inside the buses near the rear door to allow more standing room, while still maintaining a larger seating capacity than last year’s buses.

Two of the new buses were trialled at the end of season 2018 without ski racks, and GPS tracking demonstrated faster load/unload times and no congestion at bus stops. Our current experience and driver feedback support this. While some congestion at bus stops can be expected at peak times, we expect the experience to be much improved for guests.

Internally the buses have improved rubber matting placement and grip strips on the edges of the steps in the doorways and the back of the bus. In addition, there is only one step in the doorways and at the back of the bus.

Improved GPS tracking is being introduced this year, which will result in more accurate and timely bus stop announcements and improved tracking for the Hail A Bus system.

The new buses also have electric wheelchair ramps operated by the driver, allowing more convenient loading for guests in wheelchairs.

2. Bus Scheduling

• Based on last year’s season, the RMB and Alpine Spirit have implemented a schedule with greater capacity than 2018.

There will be an additional bus scheduled during peak times, which are defined as 8:00-10:00am and 4:30-6:00pm during busy periods such as school holidays and weekends, which will result in a total of seven buses being available during these times.

The scheduling standard for the buses is that they must be no longer than 15 minutes apart.  Both Alpine Spirit and MHARMB aim to achieve significantly better than this.

During peak periods, drivers will manage the loading to ensure passenger safety and comfort given that equipment is now carried onboard. This means people may be asked to wait for the next bus. In these situations, extra buses will be on the route and guests should not have to wait more than 5-10 mins for the next bus.

3. Improved driver induction and communication with guests

•  Joint induction with RMB Guest Services and mountain operators
• Electronic signage on front and side of bus operable by the driver

Driver knowledge was identified by stakeholders as being an issue when drivers were new to the mountain, and communication of mountain information to guests was therefore an area requiring improvement.

This year, the RMB worked with Alpine Spirit to conduct an in-depth joint induction involving RMB Guest Services, and mountain operators from key resort nodes, such as Alpine Nature Experience, SnowStuffPark and Mount Hotham Skiing Company. The aim was to help drivers understand the impact of the information they provide to guests and ensure that this information is helpful.

The new buses also have electronic signage on the front and side of the bus and will clearly display the destination of the bus (including Staff Car Park and Dinner Plain). Changes in destination can be easily reflected in the signage by the driver.

4. Bus stop locations and new speed zones

• Some minor changes to bus stops to improve safety, such as safety barriers and signage
• Bus stop 8 uphill (towards Hotham Central) has been improved and new stairs installed

Over summer, the RMB conducted a review of the resort’s winter bus stops, with particular regard to safety elements such as driver sight-lines and pedestrian safety at drop-off. At most stops, only minor changes were required, such as minor adjustments to location, new barriers and signage.

Improvements have been made at bus stop 8 uphill, including new stairs.

Bus stop 10 downhill near Whitey’s carpark has presented more significant safety issues, as buses are unable to move completely off the road due to a narrow shoulder. We are working on a solution for this and in the current conditions we are continuing to use this stop with a reduced speed limit. However, we may need to review use of this stop when snowfall increases.

All modifications to bus stops will be monitored over winter by the RMB in consultation with Alpine Spirit.

In addition, 20km/hr speed restrictions have been implemented around bus stop 2 (Arlberg) and bus stop 10, in response to stakeholder concerns about pedestrian safety. Please ensure your guests are aware of these new restrictions and the 40km/hr speed limit in the rest of the village. Enforcement will be carried out throughout the season, with special focus on peak periods.

5. Feedback
The RMB welcomes feedback on our services. We will be approaching mountain operators and other stakeholders throughout the season to gather feedback on the Village transport system, however if you have any urgent feedback, please send it to mhar@mthotham.com.au

Dogs in the resort

MHARMB is looking for support from accommodation providers in communicating to visitors that they are not permitted to bring dogs into the resort in winter.

Current policy is that there are only two types of dog permits:

• one that is only available for short visits in summer, and 
• a year-round permit available only to residents, year-round Hotham employees, Hotham property owners and Hotham business owners. 

The number of both types of permits is capped, and the 2019 permits have been fully committed.

The strict controls on dogs reflects the laws covering national parks, which are designated as sanctuaries for native animals. 

In particular, the Victorian alpine regions are amongst the most diverse in Australia, with over 100 threatened or endangered species of Flora and Fauna.  It is a priority of the Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board (MHARMB) to ensure that these unique and valuable species are not impacted by domestic dogs in the resort.

Enforcement of the dog policy will be carried out during winter, so please ensure your guests are aware of the policy, and advise them that enforcement will be occurring.

Thanks for your help in protecting our precious native species!

Essential safety measures reminder

When the construction of a building is complete, the building owner is responsible for its upkeep and maintenance, particularly its safety features or essential safety measures. The maintenance of essential safety measures will ensure that important safety systems within the building remain at the required operational level throughout the life of the building.

The type of maintenance needed depends on the complexity of the safety measure, equipment or feature and the maintenance program required or expected at the time of installation.

Building occupiers have an obligation to ensure all exits and paths of travel to exits are kept readily accessible, functional and clear of obstructions.

Building owners must ensure that an essential safety measure is maintained so that it operates satisfactorily.

If you would like more information about essential safety measures, please click on the button below.

Waste and recycling update

E-waste - which refers to unwanted and discarded electronic products with batteries, a cord or plug - is the fastest-growing category of waste worldwide. The Victorian Government is banning e-waste from Victoria’s landfill from 1 July 2019.  

Currently, Victorians are able to recycle all phone, TV and computer e-waste items at dedicated collection centres throughout the state. To increase capability to include all e-waste (any item with batteries, a cord and plug) and to help make it as easy as possible to recycle e-waste, the Victorian Government recently announced it will invest $15 million in infrastructure.

New infrastructure - bay at Danny's Shed
During the 2018-9 summer, the Board co-invested with the Victorian Government to construct a new storage bay to the Hotham Resource Recovery Transfer Station or Danny's Shed.  The new bay will provide storage facility for stakeholders to drop off e-waste and other items.  At this stage, the Board will set designated periods for stakeholders to drop e-waste and other hard waste to the facility outside the winter season.    

New rubbish bags
Winter 2019 will see new rubbish bags distributed across the village.  In early 2019, the Mt Hotham, Falls Creek and Mt Buller/Mt Stirling Alpine Resort Management Boards in collaboration with the Alpine Shire for Dinner Plain undertook a collaborative procurement process for supply of waste and recycling bags across the resorts.  As a result of this process, all resorts agreed on clear red bags for general waste to landfill. Clear bags remain for cardboard and co-mingled products for recycling however black printing does appear on the new bags.  Organics bags for food waste remain in opaque compostable bags from previous years.  Clear Red is the new Clear Blue/Black!

Hard waste collection
In 2017 the Board reintroduced hard waste collection services on two designated times following long weekends during the summer period.  This summer there were some significant issues with hard waste being left out inappropriately.  We take this opportunity to remind our stakeholders that hard waste is not to be placed in hutches across the village.  The hutches are for rubbish bagged appropriately in our three bag system only. 

With the new storage bay to the transfer station at Danny's Shed, from October 2019 the Board shed will be open to the Hotham community to drop hard waste – including e-waste materials – directly to the transfer station.  Staff will be on site to assist and charge the appropriate fees for various materials.  Types of hard waste to be accepted at the Hotham Transfer Station is as per the previous kerbside system in recent years.  You will be receiving an information sheet about what will be accepted.

What can you do?
The Board asks all the Hotham community to assist in us in delivery of responsible management of waste generated in the resort.  Please be responsible and correctly dispose of the waste you generate.

Sustainability Victoria’s website provides advice on what businesses can do to reduce waste. 

We encourage all stakeholders to assess their business requirements to ensure they have adequate internal infrastructure to ensure all waste is being sorted and bagged appropriately. 

MHARMB has green bins available to stakeholders for organics – 20ltr for larger applications or smaller benchtop bins - or you may wish to purchase bins that suit your requirements.  If you choose to purchase your own bins please ensure that they are suited to the MHARMB provided bags. 

Organic bins should not be too large as organic waste is heavy and bags can be easily overloaded causing safety concerns for staff and guests. Several smaller bins are more desirable than one large one.  Within the resort all waste is manually deposited and collected by your staff and MHARMB staff, please consider occupational health and safety issues when considering your bin system. 

Informative signage is located in hutches across the resort and templates are available from MHARMB for use within buildings as well. If you wish for laminated copies please contact the MHARMB for assistance.  

MHARMB staff will be approaching businesses and accommodation agents during winter 2019 to discuss individual arrangements in detail in implementing appropriate waste management.  If at any time you would like assistance in implementing waste management within your business please do not hesitate to contact Bev Lawrence, Environmental Officer with MHARMB on 03 5759 3550.

We thank all stakeholders for taking the time to address this important issue facing our resort community.

RMB staff movements

CEO
Jon Hutchins has advised the MHARMB Board that he will finish as CEO of MHARMB at the conclusion of his contract at the end of 2019.  Jon has led MHARMB for five years and is working with the Board to ensure a smooth transition period. The MHARMB Board will embark on a recruitment process for a new CEO in the near future.  In the meantime the next 6 months will be business as usual.

New positions
As part of a review of MHARMB’s organisational structure, a number of new roles were created to better position MHARMB to deliver our services into the future. The following people are joining MHARMB in new positions and will meet with stakeholders over the next few months.

• Nick Malkin – Senior Manager Resort Operations (from 15 July 2019). Nick brings a wealth of experience gained from working across all Australian alpine resorts as well as other regions. For the last 10 years he has run his own business, Foresight Engineering Services, working in areas including aquaculture, construction, mining, infrastructure, water and gas projects. Nick will be responsible for leading the delivery of daily operational, environmental and nursery services to ensure optimum efficiency and reliability, including our water, gas, and waste water services.

• Jason Nightingale – Senior Manager Guest Engagement (effective 1 July 2019). Jason has been a team member at MHARMB since 2014 and recently has been acting in the position of Senior Manager Resort Operations. He brings a wealth of knowledge about Hotham specifically and the alpine resorts industry generally to his new role. Jason will lead the provision of services that provide visitors and guests with an amazing alpine experience through information, village services, and facilities and systems.

Tom Pelly will move into the role of Senior Manager Infrastructure and Capital Works, leading the planning and delivery of all infrastructure, capital works, environmental projects and major initiatives. Tom’s role is critical in the delivery of MHARMB’s Developing Mt Hotham strategic direction.

Fiona Hammond will take on the role of Senior Manager Corporate Services, leading the provision of corporate services to enable MHARMB to deliver its corporate and strategic plans, and supporting the CEO in planning processes and performance reporting.

Illegal waste dumping survey

In June, the Goulburn Valley, Gippsland, Loddon Mallee and North East Waste and Resource Recovery Groups (WRRGs), collaborated to successfully obtain funding from Sustainability Victoria to develop a Regional Litter and Illegal Dumping Plan for each group.

The plan will identify the top five litter and illegal dumping priorities for each region and will include an action plan that will be used to seek external funding to implement.

If you would like to provide input into the plan, a community survey will be open from Wednesday 10 July to Sunday 4 August. There will also be targeted stakeholder workshops in late August. 

The final plan will be the result of a partnership between councils, alpine resorts, state government departments and agencies, along with community and environmental groups and will draw on local evidence to identify the top five litter and illegal dumping priorities for the region.

TNE imagery workshop in Bright

What is it that makes the perfect shot and what story are you wanting to tell?

This 2 hours interactive session will take participants through the various steps needed to create that compelling image or engaging video. The two hours will comprise 4 segments; story telling, scene composition, basic editing and posting to social media and the web. As this is hands on, participants will need to bring a smart-phone (Apple or Android) and a laptop for editing.

Welcome to Justin Jenvey

Justin Jenvey, formerly a senior journalist at North East Media, has joined the RMB's Marketing team for the season. Justin is helping us with creating content, managing the website and social media, and coordinating events, so you will most likely be working with him at some point in the season. Please make him feel welcome!