Bushfire recovery Update.

The Resort WILL be open for the 2009 snow season

Bushfire recovery update: 3rd April 2009

What happened?

The Black Saturday fires caused significant damage to the Resort. The main toilet block and trail head facilities, ski patrol building, takeaway food building, rotunda and bbq, machinery sheds, and were destroyed along with much of the resorts machinery and tools. Parts of the snow making system were destroyed making it inoperable.

The fire swept up and across the Lake Mountain plateau and has burned many of the snow gums and heathlands. The trail network has been damaged.

The toboggan slopes, Snowy Hill and Arnold's gap facilities are relatively undamaged.

The main visitor centre which houses the ski hire, bistro, day shelter and resort administration was NOT affected by the fires and this facility is fully operational

All of Lake Mountain's staff have been affected by the fires by the loss of their homes, or in two cases, the loss of a family member. To their great credit all have returned to work ready and willing to assist Lake Mountain ... and the local community ... recover from this disaster.

Recovery plans:

Lake Mountain has the support of the state and federal governments and many government agencies in its desire to be ready to open for this winter. We are committed to make it happen. Lake Mountain will play a huge role in the recovery effort by attracting people back into the local area. The snow season will provide a much needed boost to all regional businesses. Lake Mountain will provide jobs for local people.

Some specifics:

o    Our staff are now back at work

o    "Containers" and temporary buildings will be fitted out to provide toilets, day shelters, workshops and first aid/ski patrol facilities

o    New snow grooming machines and snow mobiles have been ordered

o    A new snow making system (that can make snow at higher temperatures) has been ordered. This will enable more snow making than ever before!!

o    Ski trails are being cleared, repaired and new culverts being built.

o    Toboggan slopes sustained very little damage.

o    Dangerous dead trees are/will be removed

o    Destroyed buildings are being removed now as part of the State Government's site clearing program with Grocon.

o    All essential services (power, water, telecommunications and sewerage) have been re established at the main visitor centre.

o    Main visitor centre ski hire, ski school, Heights bistro, resort administration and the lower level day shelter were NOT damaged.

o    The road from Marysville all the way to the Lake Mountain village has been be repaired and resurfaced where required.

o    The planned bike riding event for the 2nd and 3rd of May will be going ahead as planned ... but bigger. Stay tuned for more information.

o    The Lake Mountain website will be the main source of the latest information.

o    To assist local and regional businesses recover, accommodation, restaurant and associated tourism businesses will be offered FREE advertising on the Lake Mountain website for 2009. Please fill in the online forms found on www.lakemountainresort.com.au. Click Here for the form

o    Lake Mountain is part of many of the fire recovery groups and is making sure this area is well represented around all forums.

o    Tourism Victoria and Yarra Valley Regional marketing are likely are  providing resources to promote that Lake Mountain will be open this winter. They recognize how important the snow season will be to aide local and regional business recovery.

o    A  visit to the snow at Lake Mountain will be a positive way to help the bushfire recovery effort.

o    The Resort is now OPEN.

      Visitor centre still standing after the fires.                                                              Trail repairs