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Ischgl secures another big act

Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky today announced the new Winter Alps Bus Link service would start tomorrow and run until October 4, providing public transport in the region for the first time.

“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to draw tourists to our fantastic alpine region and the Winter Alps Bus Link service will provide a public transport connection that links the regional towns of Wangaratta, Bright, Omeo and Bairnsdale along the Great Alpine Road,” Ms Kosky said.

“The innovative trial of the Summer Alps Bus Link has proved to be a great success over the past seven months.

“Importantly, it has helped to link hundreds of people in the Alpine and East Gippsland communities that have not been able to easily access some local towns and facilities via public transport before.

“The new Winter Alps Bus Link will continue to provide these connections for local residents as well as provide connections for the large number of people visiting the Victorian Alpine Region during its busiest time of year.”

Ms Kosky said that in addition to the new winter bus trial, funding will also be provided for the Summer Alps Bus Link to run again, providing a bus link until 28 May 2010.

“The Great Alpine Road is one of Australia’s greatest visitor touring routes as well as an everyday road link for several local communities,” she said.

“It is important that we recognise the significance of this unique public transport connection throughout all seasons of the year, in particular during winter.

“In winter the area experiences extreme snow conditions and the road can be daunting for drivers, particularly those just visiting the region.”

Ms Kosky said these bus services were providing safe, reliable and affordable public transport options to help improve connections for all people in the alpine region.

This project is being delivered as part of the Let’s GET Connected and North East Transport Connections projects in collaboration with the Department of Transport.

For more information contact the North East Transport Connections Project: (03) 5731 3506, tcpovens@ovensandking.org.au, www.flexitrans.org and/or or Let’s GET Connected Project: (03) 5153 9441, rhondaj@egipps.vic.gov.au or go to www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au; www.egipps.vic.gov.au, www.mthotham.com.au.

The long weekend’s festivities on the “rooftop of Victoria” were kicked off by Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings who announced the funding to build new visitor facilities at Falls Creek.

“Victoria’s alpine resorts are major contributors to the state’s economy, generating almost half a billion dollars each year and creating the equivalent of 5000 full-time jobs,” Mr Jennings said.

“This funding shows the Brumby Labor Government is taking action to keep the alpine region a vibrant and user-friendly place for Victorians and visitors from around Australia to enjoy all year round.”

The funds allocation comes from the Brumby Labor Government’s Small Towns Development Fund and would be used to assist two new projects being developed by the Falls Creek Alpine Resort Management Board.

“We’ve allocated $200,000 for the new Pack Horse Heritage Trail to restore the original track to the Falls Creek summit for walking and cycling during the warmer months,” Mr Jennings said.

“I’ve also announced a second grant of $200,000 to help improve signage around the Falls Creek Village to make it easier for casual visitors to find their way around.”

The new works would complement projects currently underway to boost Falls Creek’s visitor appeal, including:
• The ‘St Falls’ redevelopment which improves skier and pedestrian access and safety around Slalom Plaza;
• The All Seasons Gateway Development to build new ‘village arrival’ facilities including an information centre, gym, crèche, restaurants and a supermarket; and
• The sealing of the Bogong High Plains Road (between Falls Creek and Omeo Highway), to improve visitor access and safety along the iconic route.

Mr Jennings encouraged Victorians to support the alpine region this ski season to inject valuable tourist dollars back into communities devastated by the Black Saturday bushfires.

“The Black Saturday fires affected the number of summer visits to all resorts, threatened Mt Baw Baw and caused significant damage to the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort. There was significant damage at Lake Mountain. We want tourists to visit resorts this winter to support local business and assist in the recovery,” he said.

Mr Jennings said Victoria’s alpine resorts were also responding to climate change by again promoting the Keep Winter Cool campaign during 2009 which encourages alpine region visitors and businesses to save energy, reduce green house gas emissions and help tackle the impacts of climate change.

The Australian and Victorian Governments recently announced the breakdown of more than $300,000 in immediate marketing and events funding for Gippsland following the devastating bushfires earlier this year.

The allocation includes $75,000 to promote visits to Mount Baw Baw during winter 2009.

Victorian Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding said the funding was part of immediate marketing and advertising efforts to encourage visitors to return to Gippsland.

“This funding will help tourism operators in Gippsland to rebuild their trade which is a vital part of the recovery process,” Mr Holding said.

“The bushfires have impacted on tourism businesses in Gippsland but the message is that Victoria is again open for business and I think that message is getting through.

“There are just so many wonderful tourism experiences in these areas and we want the tourists to come back.

“This region has so much to offer including outstanding wineries and restaurants, stunning natural attractions and nature-based tourism activities and unique events.”

The $315,000 is part of the joint $10 million Victorian Bushfire Tourism Industry Support Package which was announced in March following the devastating bushfires.

Federal Minister for Tourism Martin Ferguson said encouraging further visitation to those regions that suffered declines in visitor numbers and cancellations following the bushfires was critical.

“The Australian Government is committed to boosting tourism in these regions and following consultation with local tourism operators and industry it is evident that supporting regional events and marketing opportunities is an important part of our response,” Mr Ferguson said.

“Tourism is a critically important industry in Gippsland and the Australian Government is pleased to assist the industry through what is an extremely challenging period.”

This pass allows hassle free entry to Falls Creek, Lake Mountain, Mt Baw Baw, Mt Buller amd Mt Stirling, and Mt Hotham at a substantial discount.

The “All Resorts Season Entry Pass” was introduced on a trial basis for the 2008 winter season.

Based on sales from the trial, there was a strong take up of the All Resorts Pass and it was well accepted by visitors.

The Minister for Environment and Climate Change, the Hon Gavin Jennings MLC, has approved the sale of the All Resorts Pass for the 2009 winter season.

The Chairperson of the Alpine Resorts Co-ordinating Council, Andrew Fairley, welcomed the continuation of the pass saying: “The All Resorts Season Entry Pass will make it much easier for snow sports competitors, cross-country skiers and other snow sports enthusiasts to visit more than one Alpine resort during the winter season.”

“The All Resorts Season Entry Pass responds to continuing calls from users for such a pass and has been developed by the Council in consultation with the individual Alpine Resort Management Boards,” Mr Fairley said.

The new pass needs to be purchased with a resort-specific season entry pass.

They can be purchased from each Victorian Alpine Resort Management Board at a combined price of $455.

The All Resorts Season Entry Pass continues to replace all previous discounted second (and subsequent) resort season entry offers.

“The indicators will assist our Resorts to measure their success in making Victoria’s snow fields accessible to all,” said chairperson of the Alpine Resorts Co-ordinating Council, Andrew Fairley.

The social themes covered by the indicators include valuing culture and heritage, building community strength, workplace quality and visitor fulfilment.

Together with a suite of economic and environmental indicators that are already in place, the social indicators will enable measurement of the progress of the Alpine Resorts towards sustainability.

The economic indicators were adopted in 2004 and the environmental indicators in 2008. The social indicators complete the set.

Copies of the social indicators report can be downloaded from www.arcc.vic.gov.au.

“Victoria’s Alpine Resorts take their responsibility to sustainability seriously,” Mr Fairley said.

“It is important that we are welcoming of persons from varied cultural and economic groups.

“The social indicators are a tool that will facilitate this.”

Andrew Fairley, the chairperson of the Alpine Resorts Co-ordinating Council, said “when the snow came in early July, it came in abundance, resulting in deep snow cover at all Victorian Alpine Resorts”.

“The cold temperatures in July and August ensured excellent snow conditions for much of the season,” Mr Fairley said.

“In addition, visitation was 12 percent above the 10 year average.

“The report also shows that visitation has been growing over the past decade.”

The “Winter 2008 End of Season Report” was prepared by the Council from information collected by Victorian Alpine Resort Management Boards on a weekly basis, as well as the results of a survey of Season Permit Holder vehicles.

The report was released at this week’s Alpine Resorts Sustainability Forum in Thredbo.

The report provides a commentary on the 2008 winter season and extensive historical information on visitation and snow depth. It is available on the Council’s website www.arcc.vic.gov.au.

The report also includes an estimate of the economic contribution of the Victorian Alpine Resorts, prepared by consultants, the National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR). Victorian direct expenditure was $436 million and employment (in annual equivalent terms) was approximately 5000 jobs.

Importantly much of the benefit arising from the operation of the Alpine Resorts occurs in regional Victoria.

All Alpine Resorts are now in full swing preparing for the coming winter.

“Hopefully the recent good snowfalls are a positive sign for a successful 2009 snow season,” Mr Fairley said.