The future of Victoria’s alpine resorts has again come under scrutiny following the release of Alpine Resorts Victoria’s latest annual report, which confirms the state government has continued to provide emergency financial support to keep the agency operating.
Alpine Resorts Victoria, the statutory authority responsible for Falls Creek, Lake Mountain, Mt Baw Baw, Mt Buller, Mt Hotham and Mt Stirling, received more than $13 million in financial backing across 2024 through a Treasury letter of comfort. The report confirms the organisation remains reliant on this support to continue operating as a going concern.
That assistance follows a further $15.7 million provided in 2023. Alpine Resorts Victoria states it is dependent on ongoing state government backing to ensure it can meet its financial obligations as they fall due.
The Opposition has seized on those disclosures, arguing the continued reliance on emergency funding highlights deeper problems in the management of the alpine sector. Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Treasurer Jess Wilson said the resorts were facing prolonged uncertainty under the Allan Labor Government.
“Under Labor, Victoria’s alpine resorts are on financial life-support and significant uncertainty surrounds their future,” she said.
Wilson said resorts such as Mt Hotham, Falls Creek and Mt Baw Baw were critical to regional economies but had suffered from poor oversight. “Alpine resorts enjoyed by families and visitors including Mt Hotham, Falls Creek and Mt Baw Baw are a vital part of our regional economy, but continue to be badly mismanaged by the Allan Labor Government,” she said.
The annual report also notes there has been no substantive public update on the government’s plan to sell or outsource the management of Lake Mountain and Mt Baw Baw, despite an earlier commitment that outcomes from an expression of interest process would be known in 2025. Both resorts continue to operate at a deficit and remain dependent on government support.
Wilson linked the situation at Alpine Resorts Victoria to broader state finances, arguing it reflected a pattern across government agencies. “Alpine Resorts Victoria is yet another in a growing list of state government agencies under Labor that are reliant on emergency financial support to pay the bills and remain solvent,” she said.
She said the financial pressure ultimately fell on taxpayers. “Labor cannot manage money and Victorians are paying the price,” Wilson said.
Alpine Resorts Victoria was established in late 2022 to consolidate the management of the state’s alpine resorts and to improve long-term sustainability. While the report highlights the economic importance of the resorts and outlines work underway to develop a pathway to financial stability, it also makes clear that ongoing government support remains essential for operations at present.
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