Buffalo secret agenda

MP claims state wants to ‘lock away’ mountain to commercial activities
- source: Wangaratta Chronicle

THE State Government has a secret agenda for Mt Buffalo which involves the removal of all commercial activities, including the permanent closure of the iconic chalet.

That is the view of Ken Jasper (MLA, Murray Valley), who said this week that he has a real concern that the government plans to "lock away" the mountain as a national park.

"If this happens, it would be an absolute disaster for this 150 year old national park and the 99 year old chalet, as well as the region generally," Mr Jasper said.

"The continued procrastination by the State Government could result in the permanent closure of facilities."

Mr Jasper’s comments came despite the latest response from the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Gavin Jennings, confirming that Mt Buffalo was a high priority for the State Government.

"The government’s recent actions don’t support, or even reflect, the minister’s latest comments," Mr Jasper said.

He said Mt Buffalo Community Reference Group, which was formed to assist with the redevelopment, was disbanded, almost 12 months ago.

"In September, the minister advised that the lessees, the Burbank Group, had been given until December 15, 2008, to reopen the chalet, but three months later, there has been no action, although Mr Jennings informs me that Parks Victoria has begun investigating all options to resume the lease.

"Just how long do lease negotiations drag on?"

Mr Jasper said that in a Parks Victoria media release dated February 26, 2008, chief executive Mark Stone announced that ‘having considered the findings of two recently completed reports on the needs and viability of the Mt Buffalo Chalet, Parks Victoria had entered into negotiations to try to secure a redevelopment of the chalet with the Burbank Group’.

"The chalet has been closed for more than two years and locked away behind a chain wire fence since August 2008, with disastrous consequences, both for the building which is continuing to deteriorate, and as an extremely popular long term attraction for tourists and locals in North East Victoria," Mr Jasper said.

"The government received some $6.5m in an insurance payout following the loss of Cresta Lodge in the 2006/07 bushfires and the question must be asked, what has happened to that money?"

"Another winter season is fast approaching and again there is no accommodation open on the mountain and no adequate visitor facilities."