DRAFT POSITION STATEMENT APRIL 2025

Overview

The Mt Buller Ratepayers Association (MBRA) is committed to advocating for the interests of ratepayers and fostering sustainable existence and development, environmental stewardship, and vibrant community life at Mt Buller. We aim to balance affordable visitation, economic growth, visitor experience, and the long-term wellbeing of our alpine environment and residents.  

For the purposes of this policy we define ratepayers broadly as any community member who is an Alpine leaseholder, a sub-leaseholder and/or a member of a lodge that is a leaseholder.

Policy Positions

The Mt Buller Ratepayers Association is dedicated to creating a thriving, sustainable, and inclusive community, safeguarding ratepayers’ investments and preserving the natural and cultural heritage of Mt Buller.  To this end, we will have six policy positions:

1. Governance and Accountability

-  Work within the unique governance structures of the Alpine Leasing Environment to hold government and their local representatives accountable for competent management of Mt Buller and the delivery of services to residents and visitors in a cost-effective fashion.

-  Hold ARV, BSL and other relevant bodies accountable as custodians of the heritage and brand of Mt Buller, and support the promotion and development of Mt Buller as a pre-eminent alpine adventure and snowsports environment.

2.  Sustainable Development and Infrastructure 

-  Support the development of infrastructure that enhances the enjoyment of Mt Buller for residents and visitors while preserving Mt Buller’s unique alpine environment.  

-  Advocate for responsible land-use planning and construction practices to minimize environmental impact and maintain the region's natural beauty.  

-  Hold ARV accountable for adequate investment in road maintenance, utilities, and community facilities, including health and emergency services, especially during peak seasons.  

-  Hold ARV accountable for managing levels of demand for visitation to a level that is consistent with the premium experience Mt Buller has been known for heretofore. 

3. Environmental Stewardship

-  Promote policies that prioritize the preservation of alpine ecosystems, including measures to protect native flora and fauna and minimize waste and pollution, in full recognition:

• Of the role that snowsports plays in the economy of the state of Victoria, and that the desirability of the reserved snowsports areas be managed to promote the economic viability of tourism and other commercial operators within the reserve.
• That given the very small percentage of total Alpine Environments reserved for snowsports, that the snowsports environment be managed to optimise their use as snowsports reserves.  

-  Advocate for renewable energy initiatives and improved waste management systems to achieve greater sustainability and preservation of the amenity of the village and environs without increasing costs.  

-  Support ARV and BSL in their efforts to combat climate change impacts on Mt Buller, particularly concerning snow reliability and water resources.  

4. Site Rentals, Charges and Leasehold Security  

-  Seek transparency and fairness in the process of setting site rentals and service charges, so that ratepayers are not disproportionately burdened vis a vis other mountain users or other resorts.  

-  Advocate for the equitable allocation of ARV revenue toward projects that benefit ratepayers and the enhancement of Mt Buller as a destination.  

-  Achieve and maintain a lease renewal process that is reflective of the evolving nature of leaseholders interests.  

5. Tourism and Economic Development

-  Support the development of a statewide strategy for management of visitation to all Alpine Resorts, that reflects the different value propositions of each resort.

-  Promote cultural and recreational events that enhance Mt Buller’s reputation as a premier alpine destination.  

-  Support cost effective initiatives to promote year-round tourism that aligns with the needs of the community and environmental goals.  

-  Encourage investment in local businesses to create increased visitation and job opportunities.  

-  Advocate for a fair and appropriate allocation of government funding for the maintenance and operation of government owned infrastructure, and the management thereof. This should be at a level commensurate with funding provided to other tourism destinations across the state.

6. Community Engagement and Advocacy

-  Build a strong community of members of MBRA who are engaged and prepared to support advocacy for the interests of Ratepayers.

-  Foster open communication between the MBRA, ARV, BSL and Mt Buller Chamber of Commerce to ensure ratepayers’ voices are heard in decision-making processes.  

-  Work to create a shared policy position on the management of Mt Buller in the context of the broader industry, by strengthening partnerships with other regional and state organizations to amplify the interests of Mt Buller ratepayers. 

-  Advocate for policies and programs that enhance community wellbeing, such as housing options for mountain employees and improved access to health and education services.  

-  Sponsor the development of a range of interest groups, with the objective of connecting the extremely talented and connected people in all walks of commercial and social activity who might be accessed for knowledge that is valuable to fellow ratepayers. 

Specific policy objectives for 2025/26

·  Governance and Accountability

-  Hold ARV accountable for:

•  reducing the costs of managing Mt Buller & Mt Stirling and the resultant impost on Ratepayers (site rent, service charges, resort entry costs) compared with when the resorts were managed by the Buller/Stirling RMB, 
•  improving service delivery, 
•  managing the Alpine resorts in an integrated fashion.
•  engaging in meaningful consultation with stakeholders.
•  making significant progress in implementation of the Resort Masterplan.

-  If these objectives are not delivered within the FY26 financial year, to commence advocacy for the disbandment of ARV and a return to individually managed resorts.

·  Sustainable Development and Infrastructure 

-  Hold ARV accountable for:

• Direct action to manage levels of day visitors to Mt Buller by implementing a coordinated strategy for the appropriate use of all Alpine Resorts. thereby avoiding further deterioration in the amenity of the mountain.
•  Implementing a Transport Strategy to limit further deterioration of the road infrastructure, improve safety and reduce carbon emissions from excessive ICE powered vehicle use of the Mt Buller road.
• Ensuring adequate quantities of potable and snowmaking water, particularly at the start of the snow season by securing year-round pumping rights.
• Re-instatement and implementation of the delivery of the Mt Buller Resort Masterplan. 
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·  Environmental Stewardship

-  That the water recycling plant be recommissioned as a matter of priority.

-  Advocate for ARV to convert the wastewater recycling plant into a storm water recycling plant to boost the supply of snowmaking water to Sun Valley Reservoir throughout the snow season

·  Site Rentals, Charges and Leasehold Security  

-  To maintain site rental charges at current levels, pending achievement of the cost reductions promised as part of the creation of ARV.

-  Advocate for ARV to set annual service charges in the context of site rent already paid by Ratepayers, rather than seeking to fully charge the cost of services on top of site rent.

-  Work with ARV and other stakeholders to establish a new leasing regime that maintains the first right to negotiate, increases minimum lease terms, provides a consistent approach to determining lease terms across all Alpine Resorts, and minimises the effort and expenditure required by Ratepayers when seeking a new lease. 

·  Tourism and Economic Development

-  Support the effective and efficient marketing of Mt Buller as a premium snowsports destination,

-  Advocate for BSL to commence snowmaking at the start of April each year by stockpiling snow in areas (eg the bottom of Skyline) which minimise loss and maximise the amount of snow on the ground by Opening Weekend each year. 

-  Advocate for ARV and BSL to remove the Burnt Hut Reservoir and convert the area into additional space for ski school and snowplayers.

·  Community Engagement and Advocacy

-  Rebuild our website and establish a regular cadence of member communications that:

• Provides information, guidance, and advice on issues that are important to ratepayers,
• Creates access to services and/or offerings that further the economical enjoyment of Mt Buller by ratepayers, and
• Seeks feedback on the issues that matter to ratepayers. 

-  Deepen our reach into the Mt Buller Community

-  Establish strategies to activate the member base, and measures to hold ourselves accountable for doing so.