Channel Nine Today Show cross to Mt Hotham

On Saturday 11 September, the RMB facilitated Channel Nine’s Today Show live cross to Lisa Hemingway and Sarah Curtain from Mt Hotham’s Jack Frost restaurant, to chat about the impact of the reopening of Victoria’s alpine resorts to most regional Victorians.

Lisa and Sarah were the only Victorian resort representatives in the segment and did a fabulous job representing the resort.

If you have a Facebook account, you can watch the clip here.

Site Rent Relief applications close 30 September

In alignment with the State Government’s Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme, the RMB is able to offer rent relief for commercial head lessees for the period 28 July 2021 to 15 January 2022.

Rent relief will be paid proportionately to the level of commerciality of the head lease and its subtenants, just as it was in 2020.

For the purpose of this program, not-for-profits and incorporated associations are again categorised as 100% commercial.

In order to apply for rent relief, simply complete the forms on the RMB website and return them to property@mthotham.com.au by 30 September 2021.

Ski Patrol Rope Rescue Program

Restrictions on travel throughout Victorian in mid August gave Ski Patrollers from the northern resorts a perfect opportunity to practice their rope rescue skills with a mid-season snow cover.

Each year representatives from each of Mt Buller, Falls Creek and Mt Hotham Ski Patrols meet for a week to train with the Search and Rescue Police High Angle Rescue team.

Each mountain takes turns at hosting the training week. The training is an opportunity for each patrol and the police to share techniques, developments, new equipment, lessons learned through job experience and to further develop skills.

Poor old Simon, the training dummy, found himself in a dramatic fall off the cliffs below Australia Drift, sliding down the precarious entrance to the cliffs before accelerating, tumbling and smashing into rocks.

Lucky for Simon the Ski Patrol rope rescue team were nearby and ready to help.

To read the full story, click here.

Support continues for regional Victorian businesses

The Victorian Government has announced that cash grants for regional businesses most affected by the current lockdown will proceed, unaffected by the recent announcement about restrictions being lifted in most areas outside of Melbourne.

Full payment for the two weeks from 2-16 September – automatic deposits ranging from $5,600 to $40,000 – will go ahead, as had always been intended.

The Victorian Government will assess which sectors remain under severely impacted settings before making further announcements on arrangements for the two-week period from 17 September.

Read the full announcement here.

For full information on available business support grants, go to business.vic.gov.au or call 13 22 15.

Business Australia also has a handy summary of government support programs here.

End of season housekeeping for accommodation providers

With the end of the snow season in sight, the RMB’s Environmental Team has some timely reminders for accommodation operators.

Ash from your fireplace. Please don’t empty ash onto vegetation as it suffocates it and causes dead patches. Let the ash cool, then put into a compostable bag, as it will be a good addition to our organics collection (Green Bin). Please don’t overfill bag and make it heavy for our Garbo team.

Food. If you are getting rid of surplus / out of date food, please empty it out of the packet or container first. Clean containers can go into recycling and food into the organics collection (Green Bin). Clean dry soft plastics can go down to the Redcycle bin at Woolworths in Bright – please remember to secure them in a plastic bag. Of course if the food is still good consider passing it on to a neighbor.

Organics collection. The RMB does collect organics over the summer months which is good news except if there is no manager on-site to ensure regular emptying of the bin. You can end up with a smelly problem for incoming visitors, so it’s a good idea to put up a sign telling summer visitors how to manage the Green Bin. Your summer visitors can email the RMB’s Environmental Services Team on environmental@mthotham.com.au if they need to ask an environmental question.

Unannounced visitors. Small native animals will help themselves to any unsecured food that is left in accommodation. Check your storage spaces for any points of entry. Steel wool can be used to fill small holes.

Ordering waste supplies. Make sure you order waste / recycle / organics bags so that your summer guests have our correct and strong bags. You can do this by emailing the RMB at info@mthotham.com.au

Victorian Backcountry Festival is now online

In case you missed it, the Victorian Backcountry Festival has published a juicy selection of on-demand videos from the online festival for your home viewing pleasure.

You can access these videos from here, and listen to the latest from experts from Australia and the world sharing their tips on the must-see destinations, safety, the latest gear, and much more.

Get out the snacks and a bevvy and start dreaming…

https://www.backcountry-festival.com/festival-program/

Landslip prevention works update

Regional Roads Victoria’s landslip prevention work on the Great Alpine Road between Harrietville and Hotham Heights will be continuing after the snow season. If the weather conditions are suitable, preparation for upcoming works will start in September.  These works may cause short delays and will be planned to avoid peak periods.  Please look out for changed traffic conditions.

From October works will start at multiple sites where a landslip risk has been identified and delays will be more significant, with lane closures required and speeds reduced. Please plan ahead and allow extra time.

As construction dates are confirmed for these sites, they will be added to the interactive map.  For more information, please visit the Regional Roads Victoria website.

Hard waste collection dates

Hard waste collections dates have been set and are as follows.

• Wednesday 3 November 2021 (day after Cup Day)
• Tuesday 19 April 2022 (day after Easter long weekend)

For information about what can be left for collection, please click here.

For more information about the RMB’s waste management services, please check our website.

RMB Dog Policy Survey

For the 2021 winter season the RMB made some changes to dog permitting at the resort. 

The RMB is seeking feedback from residents, stakeholders and community members, so we can determine what the impact has been as a result of these changes - positive or negative.

This feedback is important to inform the RMB on any further changes or modifications to the dog permit policy and implementation process at Mt Hotham.

If you would like to participate in providing feedback on the updated dog permit policy, please click on the button below

All feedback is welcomed and will be considered.

Information regarding dog permits can be found on the RMB website.

TNE end of season wrap up at Hotham

Connect with TNE for an end of season wrap up, discuss wins and losses, how Tourism North East can assist and for us all to prepare for the green season ahead.

Date: Wed., 29 September 2021, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm AEST

Location: The General, Lot 1 Great Alpine Road, Hotham Heights

TNE webinar – Social Media is a Marketing Tool

On Wednesday 13 October, Tourism North East (TNE) is running an online deep dive into two of the most highly used social media platforms – Facebook and Instagram.

You’ll explore:

• Which consumers are using each platform
• What is engaging content and the variety of ways to create it
• What is "the algorithm" and how can you leverage it
• How to use data and insights to get better reach
• Why photography is so important on social media

You will walk away with a greater understanding of why and how you should be using social media as one of your businesses greatest marketing tools. To register, click the button below.

Webinar: Threatened species of the north east

North East Catchment Management Authority are running a webinar about two of north east Victoria’s threatened species, the Mountain Pygmy-possum and the Regent Honeyeater.

This is a chance for you to hear about current findings about these very special locals, and ask questions in an interactive event.

• Date: Wednesday 22 September
• Time: 7:30-8:30pm

For more information and to register, please visit the RMB website.