INTRODUCTION Parks Victoria, Tourism North East, the Department of Economic Development Jobs, Transport, and Resources (Regional Development Victoria and Economic Projects) and Visit Victoria are planning a walk between Falls Creek and Mt Hotham through the Alpine Naonal Park. Known as the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing (FHAC) it is one of four walks in the Walk Victoria’s Icons program which aim to engage a broad range of visitors in nature, supporng Parks Victoria’s philosophy of Health Parks Heathy People. In late 2015 and early 2016 a number of informaon sessions were held to seek community and stakeholder views on a Preliminary Concept. Parks Victoria received 35 responses and 36 online surveys were completed. In April 2016 the project team met with representaves from Mount Hotham and Falls Creek resorts and the townships of Harrietville and Dinner Plain. This paper provides a summary of the feedback received in response to the preliminary concept plan. Informaon is grouped under three themes: • Alignment, • Visitors and accommodaon, • Migang impacts. A key proposion of the project is that the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing is a great way to provide beer access for more people to experience the park, catering for different levels of fitness and enabling more people to experience the grandeur of the landscape and understand the importance of the environmental values of the region. Overall the idea of an improved walking experience, reinforced by beer services and facilies and protecon of the park’s natural and cultural values, was supported. WALKING TRACK ALIGNMENT Why is construcon of new track necessary? The current alignment between Falls Creek and Mount Hotham generally follows a secon of the larger (655km) Australian Alps Walking Track. A comparison with other highly successful walks indicates that modificaons in alignment and providing improved accommodaon, facilies and services have the potenal to draw a broader range of visitors. The proposed new alignment will take in spectacular scenery along the Diamanna Spur and the Razorback. It includes an oponal ascent of Mount Feathertop, the state’s second highest mountain. The preliminary concept also tests proposals for the construcon of three secons of new trail, totalling 12km in length. These new secons eliminate the need for backtracking and seek to resolve maintenance and operaonal issues such as erosion and bogging. Consultaon Phase 1 - What we’ve heard about the Preliminary Concept.
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INTRODUCTIONParks Victoria, Tourism North East, the Department of Economic Development Jobs, Transport, and Resources (Regional
Development Victoria and Economic Projects) and Visit Victoria are planning a walk between Falls Creek and Mt Hotham
through the Alpine National Park. Known as the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing (FHAC) it is one of four walks in the Walk
Victoria’s Icons program which aim to engage a broad range of visitors in nature, supporting Parks Victoria’s philosophy of
Health Parks Heathy People.
In late 2015 and early 2016 a number of information sessions were held to seek community and stakeholder views on a
Preliminary Concept. Parks Victoria received 35 responses and 36 online surveys were completed. In April 2016 the project
team met with representatives from Mount Hotham and Falls Creek resorts and the townships of Harrietville and Dinner
Plain. This paper provides a summary of the feedback received in response to the preliminary concept plan. Information is
grouped under three themes:
• Alignment,
• Visitors and accommodation,
• Mitigating impacts.
A key proposition of the project is that the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing is a great way to provide better access for more
people to experience the park, catering for different levels of fitness and enabling more people to experience the grandeur
of the landscape and understand the importance of the environmental values of the region.
Overall the idea of an improved walking experience, reinforced by better services and facilities and protection of the park’s
natural and cultural values, was supported.
WALKING TRACK ALIGNMENTWhy is construction of new track necessary?
The current alignment between Falls Creek and Mount Hotham generally follows a section of the larger (655km) Australian
Alps Walking Track. A comparison with other highly successful walks indicates that modifications in alignment and providing
improved accommodation, facilities and services have the potential to draw a broader range of visitors.
The proposed new alignment will take in spectacular scenery along the Diamantina Spur and the Razorback. It includes an
optional ascent of Mount Feathertop, the state’s second highest mountain. The preliminary concept also tests proposals
for the construction of three sections of new trail, totalling 12km in length. These new sections eliminate the need for
backtracking and seek to resolve maintenance and operational issues such as erosion and bogging.
Consultation Phase 1 - What we’ve heard about the Preliminary Concept.
Is Diamantina Spur really suitable for the average walker?
A detailed assessment of the Diamantina Spur is investigating how the Diamantina Spur track can be upgraded to make it
more achievable for the target market of walkers carrying daypacks.
Considerations include:
• Reviewing the route to avoid the steepest sections;
• Constructing a more accessible, safe and sustainable trail, possibly with natural steps, to provide a more
achievable challenge and protect natural values;
• Designing the trail to enhance the experience of nature and minimise built form such as staircases or
handrails;
• Mitigating the impact on the landscape and reducing erosion;
• Creating regular rest points where walkers can stop, let others pass and take in the spectacular views.
With these modifications, it is proposed that this section of the walk can be made more accessible to a wider range of walkers
that can enjoy the walk and feel inspired by the challenge, including walking the Spur, in completing the Falls to Hotham
Alpine Crossing.
Are the townships of Harrietville and Dinner Plain being considered?
The master plan will explore trail links with the alpine resorts at Falls Creek and Mt Hotham and the local villages of Harrietville,
Bright, Mt Beauty and Dinner Plain. These links will encourage overnight stays before and after the walk, establishing these
townships as an integral part of the walk experience.
VISITORS AND ACCOMMODATIONWho is the walk catering to? How can we attract more visitors to the area?
Much of the overnight hiking currently on offer in the Victorian Alps is suited to experienced, independent walkers or visitors
using the services of a Local Tour Operator (LTO).
The FHAC will provide the opportunity for LTOs to develop a range of walking products to suit different target markets that
are not currently well catered for. These visitors are often described in the industry as “comfort in nature” or “experience
seekers” and tend to want a supported (often guided) walking experience where they carry light day packs, stay in established
hiker camps or roofed accommodation, and are provided quality meals. This makes the walk more achievable for people of
moderate experience and fitness. This type of walk is increasingly popular with people over 40 years of age who are willing
to pay for these additional services.
It is proposed that hiker accommodation would provide facilities and services to better cater for the demands of these target
markets, similar to world-class walks in Tasmania and New Zealand.
Three potential accommodation locations have been identified in the preliminary concept at Tawonga Huts, along the Kiewa
Valley and at a location just below High Knob on the Diamantina Spur. Each site will be further investigated and described in
more detail in the draft master plan.
What will the accommodation and built structures look like?
All new infrastructure and facilities will be of high design quality and integrated sensitively with the spectacular scenery of
the Australian Alps. This supports the objective of creating a world-class, nature-based walking experience.
The scale and configuration of accommodation will be informed by environmental and cultural assessments, government
policy and market needs. Current planning suggests that small scale facilities of a high design quality, suited to smaller,
guided walking groups, would assist in supporting the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing walking experience.
The master plan is a strategic document and will not prescribe detailed designs for built elements. However, it will set out
design and development parameters which will guide future processes for implementation.
How will they be managed and serviced?
The master plan is considering the servicing requirements by Parks Victoria and potential operators, including the provision
of materials, linen, water and food, the disposal of waste and the ongoing maintenance and operational requirements of
these facilities. It is likely that this will be achieved through a combination of helicopter and walking.
IMPACTSHow does the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing fit with the Greater Alpine National Park Management Plan and other
government policy?
The Greater Alpine National Park Management Plan is currently being finalised ahead of its release. It acknowledges and
supports the The Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing as a key recreation and tourism opportunity in the region.
The FHAC will be planned and implemented in accordance with the National Parks Act 1975, the Greater Alpine National
Parks Management Plan and all relevant planning policies, legislation and controls to avoid disturbance to the environment.
The Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing is one of four walking products under the Walk Victoria’s Icons program which responds
to government policy supporting the development of nature-based tourism opportunities. This was originally identified in