Premier

Snow Season Kicks Off With New Water Storage Project

12 June 2018

Mt Buller is celebrating the start of the Victorian snow season with the announcement of a new water storage facility to secure water supply and boost snow production.

The Andrews Labor Government has announced $7.5 million for the Mt Buller Water Storage Project through the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

The Mt Buller Water Storage Project will build a 100 megalitre storage facility to provide water for drinking, firefighting and snowmaking.

Victoria’s alpine region is a popular tourism destination year-round, with biking, 4WD adventures, trail running, music festivals, and food and wine events attracting a significant number of visitors to the alpine resorts in the green season.

Construction of the water storage facility will encourage further private investment at the Mt Buller and Mt Stirling Alpine Resorts.

Victoria’s six alpine resorts make a vital contribution to the state’s regional economy. During the 2017 winter season, the resorts received a total of 941,000 visits and over 1.6 million visitor days – the highest figures since comparable records were first collected in 1980.

The Labor Government is investing in regional tourism through its $103 million Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund, which will boost jobs in the regional tourism sector.

The Victorian Budget 2018/19 included $2 million for a new Regional Events and Innovation Fund to help regional tourism boards grow their local visitor economies.

Tourism is an important industry for regional Victoria with the latest figures showing the total number of visitors to regional Victoria was 49.8 million in 2017 – an increase of 20 per cent since 2014.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren

"The Mt Buller Water Storage Project is a game-changer for the alpine resorts, boosting snow production during winter and providing drinkable water for the green season.”

“Tourism is a major economic driver for Victoria’s alpine region. I encourage all Victorians to get out and visit our alpine resorts this snow season.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford

"We’re investing in high impact tourism projects that increase visitation to regional Victoria, create jobs and boost the economy.”

Quote attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Energy, Environment & Climate Change Anthony Carbines

“I’m pleased to have worked with the team at Mt Buller to deliver the funding for this vital project – that will deliver jobs during construction and regional jobs for years to come.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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