New RMB website

Mt Hotham RMB has just launched a new website, which will provide our stakeholders with an improved user experience and better represents our operations and services.

The Develop Mt Hotham site had evolved beyond its original remit of providing property and planning information, and did not accurately reflect the full range of the RMB’s services and operations. In addition, the software platform had reached end of life, making updates and changes challenging.

Following a review of the required content and functionality of the site, we developed a new website that:

• Is better structured so that stakeholders can more easily find the information they need
• Is more comprehensively reflective of our operations and services, including the Victorian Alpine Nursery which was previously on a separate site
• Ensures no duplication through a more logical content structure, which makes it easier to keep all information up-to-date
• Better reflects our corporate and visitor branding

The old Develop Mt Hotham URL (www.develophotham.com.au) redirects to the new URL (rmb.mthotham.com.au) to provide users time to change bookmarks and to ensure everyone always is directed to the most current information.

We look forward to your feedback as you familiarise yourself with the site. If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please email website@mthotham.com.au.

Volunteer Ski Patrol fundraiser 

Mount Hotham Volunteer Ski Patrol is an incorporated organisation that works with the Mt Hotham Ski Patrol to keep our guests safe and assist them if they are injured on the snowfield. 

Each year, the Mount Hotham Volunteer Ski Patrol (MHSP) holds its Big Gig fundraiser, an event that is legendary in Hotham's winter calendar and which raises funds for essential equipment. In recent times the Volunteer Ski Patrol has been able to purchase the Mt Hotham Ski Patrol 4x4 ambulance, and a powered ambulance stretcher for the ambulance.

Unfortunately, due to COVID the Big Gig can't be held this season (and couldn't be held in 2020 for the same reason), but the MHSP would like to invite people to donate to its current drive to purchase a 'Can-Am Patient Transport', an all terrain, over-snow casualty extraction vehicle for taking critically ill casualties off the snowfields. These patients are currently transported via skidoo and trailer and sometimes, Kassbohrer, however, this method is not ideal.

The Can Am retails at about $57,000 so all contributions are appreciated. If you'd like to support this fundraiser, you can donate directly by using the 'Donate' button on this page: https://mhsp.org.au/fundraising/

For more information about the Mount Hotham Volunteer Ski Patrol, please visit their website at http://mhsp.org.au/. And stay safe out there!

Landslip Prevention works

In October this year, after the end of the snow season, Rural Roads Victoria will continue the landslip prevention works started earlier this year.

Work will be done on three sections of the road between Harrietville and Mt Hotham, primarily on fill batter reconstructions, including pavement, kerb and drainage works. These are significant works, including lane reconstruction, and will require lane closures and therefore traffic delays between early October and late December (possibly into early January depending on conditions).

RRV have designed the lane closures to ensure a regular 19 metre long semi-trailer truck may traverse the worksites once the concrete barriers are in place.

If you are planning any works requiring heavy vehicles greater than 19 metres in length, please get in touch with Jon Haywood at RRV as soon as possible to discuss options on jon.haywood@roads.vic.gov.au .

You can view the main work sites on the RRV website here

Confirmed sites for after winter will be added in late August or early September.

RMB Infrastructure project update

Alpine Gateway – The RMB is working through the final design details for construction works this summer, which are scheduled to recommence on site in October. 

Whiskey Flat Recreational Facility – Tenders for the building have closed and construction is scheduled to commence in October for completion in June 2022.  

Wire Plain Activity Hub – Concept planning is now complete and approvals are being sought.  RMB installed a weather station at the site this week to provide data about potential snowmaking infrastructure at the site.

Ride High Country Kickstart program

Applications for the 2021 Ride High Country Kickstart program are open, and Tourism North East is inviting businesses in Victoria’s High Country to apply.

CEO Bess Nolan-Cook said the program is a fantastic way to launch a new tourism product, from conception through to delivery.

Successful applicants will be supported from start to finish, with matched funding, product development, testing and refinement as well as marketing and public relations support.

Successful applicants can apply for a contribution of up to $3,000 matched 2:1 (representing a business buy-in of up to $1500), to use toward branding, marketing services and equipment to develop appropriate assets for their product.

New products will then be integrated into the Ride High Country marketing and PR campaigns through all existing channels.

Applications close Friday 27 August. For a copy of the prospectus, click here.

More support for business

The Victorian Government has announced a new round of support for small and medium businesses most affected by the extension of public health restrictions in Melbourne.

Most of the $807 million package will flow automatically to more than 110,000 businesses in industries ranging from hospitality to non-essential retail, accommodation, events businesses, hairdressing and beauty services.

Business Costs Assistance Program

More than 110,000 businesses in metropolitan Melbourne will automatically receive payments of $5,600 ($2,800 per week) through a $625 million injection.

The Business Costs Assistance Program provides support for businesses that are significantly affected due to the lockdown but continue to incur costs.

Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021

Automatic payments of $5,000, $10,000 and $20,000 per week will be made to about 7,000 licensed hospitality premises in metropolitan Melbourne that have previously received grants under the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 or July Extension programs. An additional $110 million has been allocated to the new licensed hospitality venue initiative.

Small Business COVID Hardship Fund

An additional allocation of $72 million will boost the Small Business COVID Hardship Fund, with grants increasing from $10,000 to $14,000 available to small and medium sized businesses across the state.

The fund will help up to 18,000 businesses that have been ineligible for business support programs and have experienced a reduction in revenue of at least 70 per cent.

COVID-19 Disaster Payments

Eligible workers across the state who lose work due to the lockdown will be able to access the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment, as will individuals who are sole-traders and do not qualify for Victorian Government support programs.

Victorian micro-businesses and sole traders who wish to apply for the Commonwealth COVID-19 Disaster Payment can receive assistance in making their application via the Business Victoria Concierge Service on 13 22 15.

More information about the business support programs is available at business.vic.gov.au.

Peak Entertainment – August Fireworks

Saturdays in August are going off with a bang! When the sun goes down, Mt Hotham will light up - we’ve got a family friendly fireworks fiesta every Saturday from 6pm. Location will change weekly, check out these locations:

• Saturday 21 August 6.10pm approx on Davenport access trail, below Big D and adjacent to McColl’s
• ​Saturday 28 August 6.10pm approx in The Basin under Audi Quattro Chair

Victorian Backcountry Festival 3-5 September

Victoria’s Backcountry Festival provides an introduction to the growing suite of backcountry activities, and aims to make them more accessible to the general public while educating people about mountain safety.

Participants will learn about human-powered winter activities such as cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, telemarking, alpine touring, split boarding, photography and snow camping. 

The 2021 Festival program will have a range of workshops catering for non-skiers and beginners, all the way to advanced skiers and boarders. An inspiring speaker’s program, a demo village, and a repeat of the ski-in outdoor bar that was a favourite in 2019 will all feature this season.

Keep our water catchment clean

Swindlers Creek provides the resort’s potable water supply, delivering very high quality raw water that is supplied to Hotham village. Our water is UV treated with no additional chemical treatment, which is why it tastes so amazing! 

For the eighth year running the Hotham Resort has delivered 100% compliance with drinking water standards.

Remember, when you’re out on the skifields in the extreme area or Orchard ski field, you are in fact in the resort’s water catchment area – water that runs down the hills or through the soil ends up in our water supply.  Please don’t litter, and tread carefully – anything left here will end up in contaminating our drinking water supply.

Reminder to shovel exit stairs for safety

Please remember to keep all access stairways and landings clear of snow for emergency access.

Update your contact details with the RMB

When you change vital contact information for your club or property please let us know. Whether it’s a new treasurer or president we like to ensure we are sending the information to the current contacts.  Simply click here and fill in the details.

Updated Capital Ingoings & Headworks Policy

As at 18 June 2021 the previous 2017 capital ingoings policy has been replaced with the new Capital Ingoings & Headworks Policy.  This is to differentiate the differences between “Capital Ingoings” and “Headworks” after some feedback received from Stakeholders.  This also includes a slight rise in fees associated with these works to be more in line with current material & labour costs.

Any questions on the new policy don’t hesitate to contact the Property & Planning Department at property@mthotham.com.au.

Mt Hotham Gift Vouchers and Gift Cards

The Mt Hotham Chamber of Commerce and Mt Hotham businesses have collaborated to introduce Mt Hotham Gift Vouchers and Gift Cards.  

When buying a gift voucher or a card you are helping support over twenty mountain businesses* who have suffered from the 2020 bushfires and the impact of the COVID restrictions to visitation. Our vouchers are valid for 3 years so buy with confidence.

Vouchers are specific to the business from Mt Hotham & Dinner Plain. Click on the link below to see the list of businesses you can purchase a voucher from*. From accommodation to experiences, food and beverage to retail and hire, you'll find the perfect gift for birthdays, christmas or any other special event. You can also combine them to create the ultimate holiday package!  Each voucher is specific and will be delivered via email to you.

Gift cards can be redeemed across multiple participating venues and aren’t specific to one business*. You could for example use the same card for a meal, a few drinks, a night accommodation, or across many retails at Mt Hotham & Dinner Plain. You choose the value, they choose how they want to spend it!  Gift Cards can be purchased online and sent to you or directly at selected stores in Mt Hotham & Dinner Plain.

More information here.

Team Hotham gives you The Edge

The Edge is Team Hotham's very own podcast, a selection of ski-related content to help you count down the miles while you make your way to Mt Hotham. The Edge is designed to give Team Hotham members and the greater snow sports community an insight into the world which is competitive skiing from the club level right through to the elite level.

No matter if your trip to Mt Hotham is once at the start of the season or if you're the weekend warrior commuting from Melbourne every Friday and back again on Sunday, each week during the season you can now download the latest episode of The Edge to help you pass the time and learn a thing or two from some of the best athletes, coaches & legends of winter sports.

Listen now!

Alpine Resorts Winter Support Program

The $10.5 million Alpine Resorts Winter Support Program will assist businesses in Victoria’s alpine resorts, Dinner Plain and surrounding towns, who were most impacted by the May, June and July COVID-19 restrictions.

If you are an eligible business for the Alpine Resorts Winter Support Program, you should receive a phone call from the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions to provide more information on the program and help you through the application process.

If you haven’t received this phone call and think you could be eligible for this funding, please contact alpineprograms@ecodev.vic.gov.au.

On 16 and 21 July, the Victorian Government announced top-up funding for BCAP2 (totalling $4800) and the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 (totalling $7200). These amounts are in addition to any amount available to businesses under the On-mountain and Dinner Plain grants.

Further details can be found here.

Telstra has made all local and national calls from their 15,000 public payphones free. 

Payphones play such a critical role in our community, particularly in times of need. They are a lifeline for thousands of vulnerable Australians.

This means that the Telstra pay phone in the Mt Hotham Transit Station is now free to use. No coins, cards, swiping – just dial.