Grant funding for Mt Hotham Walking Masterplan 

The RMB has successfully secured grant funding from the Victorian Government to develop the Mt Hotham Walking Tourism Masterplan and Business Case.

While the resort enjoys a well-rounded winter offering, the green season (non-winter period) has great scope for expanded signature tourism experiences to support year round sustainability and growth.

The walking/hiking market is an obvious focus area for Mt Hotham, which is already known for its excellent walking options.

The Masterplan will create a blueprint to guide the development and growth of walking tourism product across Mt Hotham through the following:

• An audit of existing trails and recommendations for improvements to this network;
• Recommendations for new trails to enable the resort to attract new and increased visitation;
• Scoping for a new signature cantilevered walk that can act as a lead tourism attraction for the resort and the region; and
• Identification of the commercial experiences and services required to activate the trail network.

This masterplan will be supported by a business case that can be used to drive public and private investment in implementing all aspects of the plan.

Stuart Stevens joins the RMB

Mt Hotham RMB is pleased to welcome Stuart Stevens as the new Visitor Experience Senior Manager with the Visitor Services team. 

Stuart brings to his role a depth of knowledge and experience in travel, tourism, destination management and product development.

His most recent posting was with Australian Pacific Touring (APT) as Global Product Manager for walking tours and small ship expeditions. Prior to that he worked with a number of organisations over many years in European/Nordic trekking and ski expeditions in Denmark, Norway, Austria, France, Switzerland, Germany, and Australia.

He’s thrilled to be joining the RMB as he is a keen skier and Mt Hotham is his preferred resort.

Track and trail maintenance

This summer’s extensive wet period has resulted in unprecedented growth of grass and undergrowth along Mt Hotham beautiful walking tracks.

The RMB’s outdoor team is currently slashing the Huts Walk and the Cobungra Ditch, which should be completed soon.

Brushcutting has been completed from Spargo’s Hut to the bridge over Swindlers Creek and sections of the Cobungra Ditch, with some clean up being finished now.

We appreciate the contact from locals who advise us of issues that need addressing – please call (03) 5759 3550 or email info@mthotham.com.au to report any issues with the tracks and trails so we can schedule the required work.

RMB employment opportunities

Mt Hotham RMB has started recruiting for winter 2022 seasonal roles and we encourage members of our community to consider applying. 

The roles have been posted on the Hotham website here and all applications close on Thursday 31 March 2022.

In addition, the RMB is advertising a 12-month Executive Assistant role, and is readvertising the Records & Compliance Coordinator role. Both can be found on the Hotham website here. Applications for the Executive Assistant position close 4 March, and for the Records & Compliance Coordinator on 18 March.

Bushfire Recovery Local Community Project Grants

The final round of Local Community Projects Grants, funded under the Local Economic Recovery (LER) program, will fund local projects vital for community recovery in bushfire-affected regions.

The grants are available for projects that build a sense of community pride and connectedness, supporting the critical role communities play in leading their own recovery.

The key objectives under the LER Local Community Projects Grants (Round 3) are to:

• increase employment opportunities and decrease skills shortages
•  increase business capacity and economic opportunity with a focus on tourism, primary industries, and small businesses
•  increase visitor confidence in the region
• improve community wellbeing
• restore or improve the natural environment
•  increase economic and social benefits by investing in enabling infrastructure
• promote Aboriginal participation and ownership and protect and enhance Aboriginal culture

A total of $3.8 million is available for Round 3 of the Local Community Projects Grants. Grants between $50,000 and $2 million are available for eligible applicants. The grant amount available to an applicant is dependent on the project type.

Applications close 11 April 2022.

Summer visitation survey

Mt Hotham Resort Management has engaged Urban Enterprise to survey summer visitors to better understand their experience and work on ways to improve guest experiences. 

Completing the survey puts them in the running for a $1400 holiday at Mt Hotham, including 2 nights' accommodation, dinner, a $500 voucher from Alpine Nature Experience, and e-bike hire.

We would appreciate on-mountain businesses sharing the survey link with your guests so we can collect their feedback. They can access the survey through either the QR code below or via https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VisitingMtHotham.

Entry for the prize draw ends 5pm,
29 April 2022.

Enabling Tourism Fund

The Enabling Tourism Fund supports regional and rural Victorian tourism projects to reach investment ready status. It will do this by funding activities such as feasibility studies, master planning and business case development. 

The fund will focus on four growth sectors identified in the Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan – nature, epicurean, arts and culture, and First Peoples’ led experiences.

The fund will deliver grants up to $500,000 per project, with a minimum funding amount of $20,000 per project.

Applications for the Enabling Tourism Fund will be accepted until 11:59pm, Friday 4 March 2022.

Great Alpine Road update

The Landslip Prevention Program is almost complete, and works on Diamantina Corner will be starting around the beginning of March and continuing until early May. 

Traffic will be reduced to one lane up to Diamantina Hut, but parking on the Diamantina Hut side of the road will be maintained, as will walker access to the Razorback Trailhead.

There is also resurfacing works currently under way, which will also cause delays for a few weeks. 

For more information about the resurfacing works please click here. 

Alpine Resorts Reform 

On Thursday 10 February, the reform of alpine resorts reached a significant milestone with the Bill to amend the Alpine Resorts (Management) Act 1997 introduced into the Victorian Parliament.  

The Bill, which will abolish the four existing alpine resort management boards and the Alpine Resorts Co-ordinating Council and establish a single entity, Alpine Resorts Victoria, to manage the resorts is now available on the Parliament of Victoria website: Alpine Resorts Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 

The above link includes a copy of the full text of the Bill and the explanatory memorandum (a document that provides a detailed explanation of each clause of the Bill).   

Winter website listings

The Hotham website changes over to its winter edition in the week following Easter.

The RMB will be in touch soon about updates to winter listings so keep an eye on your inbox! If you've changed your contact email address please let us know by filling in the form linked in the Essential Admin story below.

Community Marketing Committee 2022 dates

The 2022 meeting dates for the Mt Hotham Community Marketing Committee are now online.

You can find them on the RMB website here. The next meeting is scheduled for 6 April 2022.

Events

12 March: Run to the Hills - Mountains, free music, friends, great food and cold beer.  

13 March: Peaks Challenge - note road closure 8am-1pm.

19 March: Razorback Run.

23 March – 6 April: Tourism North East - Developing Tourism Packages and Events (online x 3).

26 March: Grand Traverse.

2 April (Easter Saturday): Above the Clouds is back! Bring your dancing shoes and spend your Saturday dancing to beautiful music at Australia's only tree tent eco-glamping village at Mt Hotham.

7 April: Tourism North East - Revenue Management for Accommodation Businesses

Don't Forget! Essential Admin

Please ensure you update your contact details annually or when a change to your contact details change.  Click here to complete the online form.