New water tank on Mt Higginbotham

The RMB has successfully secured $1.6m for the implementation of a new water tank at Mt Higgi. The project has been funded under the Federal Black Summer Bushfire Recovery program, and will allow us to double our water storage capacity on the site.

The new tank will enable greater water security, supporting resort growth, increased snowmaking and enhanced firefighting capacity, so is an important project for the resort.

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.

Dogs at the resort

A quick reminder that dogs may not be brought into the Mt Hotham resort area without a permit.

Exclusions apply for registered guide dogs, assistance dogs and people transporting a dog through the Resort. No permits will be issued for one-off stays in the resort.

Victoria’s alpine regions are amongst the most biodiverse regions in Australia, with over 100 threatened or endangered species of Flora and Fauna. It is a priority of the RMB to ensure that these unique and valuable species are not impacted by allowing domestic dogs into the resort.

Year-round dog permits are offered to year-round residents, employees, property or business owners. Year-round dog permits are issued annually and are valid from 1 January to 31 December each year.

Applications for 2022 are now closed. If you would like to express your interest in a 2023 dog permit you are welcome to email info@mthotham.com.au to be placed on our waitlist. For more information about the Mt Hotham RMB’s Dog Permit Policy, click here.

Seasonal Recruitment at the RMB

Mt Hotham RMB is now recruiting for Winter 2022 positions including the following roles.

Resort Operations Team

• Garbage Collectors (Forklift & Heavy Rigid Licence required)
• Plant Operators, Snow Clearers (must be experienced)
• Cross Country Trail Groomers

Visitor Services Team

• Visitor Services Operations Night
• Visitor Services Officers
• Resort Entry Compliance Officers
• Tourism Information Officers
• Ski Patrollers

Full information about the positions is available on the Hotham website here 

Applications close on Thursday 31 March, so if you know anyone who’s keen to work with a great team and spend a season at the snow, please ask them to check our website!

Alpine reform update

The Alpine Resorts Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 passed the Legislative Assembly on 24 February 2022 and the Legislative Council on 8 March 2022. 

The Bill is expected to receive royal assent in the coming week. Planning for transition to the new arrangements is underway with the intention for the amended legislation, and the establishment of Alpine Resort Victoria, to commence on 1 October 2022. 

Recruitment for Alpine Resorts Victoria Board

The Hon Lily D’Ambrosio MP, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, is expected to make an announcement soon about the recruitment of directors to join the board of Alpine Resorts Victoria. The vacancies will be promoted through this bulletin and through a range of other channels. 

Next steps

• Commencement of recruitment of board directors for Alpine Resorts Victoria
• Continued development of the operating and funding model for Alpine Resorts Victoria in discussion with the Stakeholder Reference Group, Transition Team and Project Control Group
• Working with ARMB staff to prepare for the transition to the new arrangements
• Ongoing dialogue with Traditional Owner/First Nations peoples in understanding their aspirations and opportunities to connect to Country

For more information, to share your views or to subscribe to updates from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, please contact alpine@delwp.vic.gov.au.

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.

Great Alpine Road update

Regional Roads Victoria have commenced works on Diamantina Corner and will continue until early May. 

Traffic has been 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. 

Events at Hotham

Until 28 March: Big Blue Duck Ride hosted by Alpine Nature Experience (cycling)

26 March: The Australian Grand Traverse - Falls Creek to Mt Hotham (hiking)

2 April (Easter Saturday): Above the Clouds - Dance the night away with Alpine Nature Experience at Mt Hotham

23-25 April: Alpine Challenge – Mt Hotham and surrounds (trail running)

Business development events

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

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

Essential Admin!

Brushcutting of sites. Reminder to ensure your site is kept tidy and grass maintained throughout the green season. Summer Preparedness (mthotham.com.au) If unable to attend to the site yourselves, the RMB can perform the works on your behalf. A fee of $105 per hour applies. Please email info@mthotham.com.au to book.

Native vegetation removal. If you are going to remove any limbs, shrubs or flora you must complete a native vegetation removal request form. There is no fee applicable. Send your forms to property@mthotham.com.au for assessment and approval. 

Planning any refurbishment or development works on your property?  Please check if any permits are required before commencing any works. Contact the Property, Planning & Development Team at Mt Hotham Resort Management via email to property@mthotham.com.au.

Hard Waste Collection and Property Maintenance

With winter only a few months away, it’s great to see leaseholders working on their properties to get them ready for the 2022 snow season.

However, it’s important to ensure that any waste from this work is disposed of correctly and promptly, for visitor and resident amenity and safety – keep our beautiful resort looking good as well as maintaining our precious alpine environment! 

The RMB has two hard waste collections each year, and the first for 2022 is on is Tuesday 19 April (after Easter).

It’s also important that leaseholders ensure any work done on their lease or property is done in line with current lease, planning and building guidelines. If you are not sure, please contact property@mthotham.com.au before commencing work. For example, you may not excavate under or around your building without prior approval, and any building materials containing asbestos must be removed in line with EPA guidance.  All waste removed from your premises must be either stored in a covered skip or trailer ready for prompt removal.

If you have an urgent requirement, please contact us on (03) 5759 3550 or info@mthotham.com.au.

You can find out full details of what we do (and don’t) collect on the RMB website here. Please ensure loose items are placed securely in clear plastic bags, waste is piled safely and does not block access ways. Some items incur a disposal cost and you must advise the RMB that they are being left for collection before disposal.

For questions about specific waste items contact Ian Price 0421 423 412 during office hours 8am-4pm.

Deer shooting in Alpine National Park, March – May

Parks Victoria will be undertaking an aerial shooting program, targeting deer, in parts of the Alpine National Park 28 March – 1 April and 23–27 May 2022. The aerial shooting area will be closed to all visitors and vehicles during these times to ensure the safety of the public. For further information, contact 13 1963 or visit parks.vic.gov.au or download the map from here.