Sykes calls on Minister to act on Mt Buffalo Chalet report

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, called on the Minister for Tourism to make public his comments on reports on the future of the Mt Buffalo Chalet.

Speaking in Parliament this week Dr Sykes highlighted the importance of Mt Buffalo Chalet to people in North East Victoria and in particular tourism based businesses in the Ovens Valley.

Dr Sykes also welcomed the Government’s intention to legislate to allow a long term lease for Mt Buffalo Chalet in line with leases in the Alpine resorts.

However Dr Sykes noted that the Minister for Tourism had failed to make public his response to reports prepared on the future of the Chalet with particular reference to infrastructure and energy costs.

Dr Sykes said, “Burbank Bros (the most recent lessees of the Chalet) former employees, local business and community representatives have all contributed in good faith to a Government enquiry into future options for the Chalet.

“We know that the reports have been with the Minister since prior to Christmas – his failure to respond publicly is unacceptable.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “I call on the Minister for Tourism to act now to ensure the long term future of the Mt Buffalo Chalet and in doing so to ensure the long term future of tourism businesses and the general communities in North East Victoria”.