The Victorian Government has confirmed it is seeking expressions of interest for long-term lease agreements of operations at Mount Baw Baw and Lake Mountain.
The announcement comes just two years after the state took back control of operations under Alpine Resorts Victoria and advises applicants to be “innovative” after two years of poor snow conditions across the state.
At the time of the announcement by Alpine Resorts Victoria, the resorts were operating at a collective loss of $8 million a year.
In a statement released by Alpine Resorts Victoria, they said will launch an expression of interest at the start of December for the two resorts that will be live until the end of January.
They are hoping potential operators of the resorts will be able to reinvigorate the businesses found on the Mountains.
“This process will enable ARV to explore opportunities and ideas with the private sector to reinvigorate the Lake Mountain and Mt Baw Baw and deliver a vibrant and sustainable future for these resorts,” the statement said.
“It also has the potential to increase commercial involvement at Lake Mountain and Mt Baw Baw, which is more aligned with how the larger northern resorts operate.”
Owner of Erica Ski Hire on Mount Baw Baw, Matt Youd told ABC News he has been running his business since 2010 and has concerns about its future viability.
"There's a lot of misinformation and confusion at the moment," he said.
"We're just wondering where we're at."
To help keep his business afloat, Youd said he’d consider putting his hat in the ring for the lease of the snow resorts and would plan to move back to past models being built upon the individual lodges and businesses.
"I think that if we can move back to that sort of model, it's potentially a very, very bright future for Baw Baw and not necessarily the doom and gloom that it's being painted as at the moment,” he said.
“The business owners and people that have a genuine love and compassion for the mountain," he said.
The expression of interest process will be run through the Buying Victoria program and those with general inquiries should contact [email protected].
