LAST month, Alpine Resorts Victoria (ARV) announced the formation of its Stakeholder Consultative Committees (SCCs), aimed at providing advice on strategic and operational matters affecting alpine resorts in Victoria, including Mt Buller and Mt Stirling, along with Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Lake Mountain and Mt Baw Baw.

The SCCs were formed within two months of ARV's establishment on October 1, 2022, following the amendments to the Alpine Resorts (Management) Act 1997.

They will serve as a channel of information and advice between ARV and key stakeholders on issues related to the development, management, and use of the resorts, as well as strategic matters affecting alpine resorts and the surrounding communities.

ARV says the appointed members of the SCCs include representatives from resort–based organisations, ensuring a broad representation of stakeholders and key user groups.

The members will provide advice on matters relating to the promotion, operation, development, and use of the resorts, fees and contributions for ARV services, and the development of the alpine resorts strategic plan.

Mt Buller is represented by Noel Landry and Nick Whitby of Buller Ski Lifts, Joel Dixon and Richard Leder of Mt Buller Ratepayers Association, Kirsten Alexander of Mansfield Shire Council, Socrates Pilipasidis and Michael Balfe of Mt Buller Chamber of Commerce, and Bess Nolan–Cook of Tourism North East.

Mt Stirling has Wayne Hevey from Four Wheel Drive Victoria, Evan Brophy from Lauriston Girls School, Howqua Campus, Martin Hunt from Mt Stirling Development Taskforce, Charles Street from Friends of Mount Stirling, Gerard McPhee from Victorian National Parks Association, Nick Whitby from Buller Ski Lifts, and Jason Shaw from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

According to Amber Gardner, CEO of ARV, the formation of the SCCs marks an important step towards the transition to Alpine Resorts Victoria. She believes that the new governance arrangements for the alpine resorts represent a new era for the sector, offering an opportunity to ensure that local matters are being considered by the government.

"The alpine resorts are a huge contributor to the Victorian visitor economy, and it is important that there is an ongoing discussion of issues across the alpine sector to support strategic growth and resilience," she said.