Victoria’s alpine region suffered first at the hand of the bushfires and were then were gutted by Covid closures in the winter just gone.
The state’s Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula has confirmed today that an additional $6 million support will be made available to eligible businesses including hire outlets, retail shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes and adventure companies such as dog sledding operations.
Sub tenant commercial operators across Mt Hotham, Mt Buller, Mt Stirling, Mt Baw Baw, Falls Creek and Lake Mountain can expect payments up to $25,000. Some operators in Dinner Plain may also be eligible.
“It is critical that our alpine resorts remain viable as we take steps toward COVID Normal and an anticipated return to the slopes in 2021. This investment ensures the lifts will be turning once again next year” said the Minister.
“Victorians have done a tremendous job to get to the position where we are now, with travel possible across the state and the conditions in place for a strong recovery in the visitor economy.”
Victoria’s Alpine resorts usually contribute $1.1 billion to the state’s economy during winter alone and attract more than 1 million visitors annually, employing 10,000 people.
The initiative brings the direct pandemic business support for alpine businesses to more than $10.3 million with $4.3 million previously announced from the Business Resilience Package to cover services fees owed to resort management boards and to accommodation providers who successfully applied for cancelled booking compensation via the Regional Tourism Accommodation Support Program.
