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Entry changes are a “more equitable policy”
PROPOSED changes to the winter entry fees to Mt Hotham Resort will see the mountain fall in line with the same pricing structure used at Falls Creek.
Mt Hotham Resort Management spokesperson Jessica Rose said the change would see visitors entering the resort in a bus or coach pay a "per entry" rather than daily rate.
"The daily rate was capped at $40 in 2009, but there is now no longer a cap in place and each entry is charged at $12 per adult and $6.50 per child," she said.
"This is now a much more equitable policy that benefits guests staying within the resort.
"Previously, the Dinner Plain bus and Winter Alps Bus Link were not eligible for the $40 cap, and the system is now the same for all buses and coaches entering the resort."
Ms Rose said the resort management board had an obligation to its lessees to ensure their investment was justified.
"The gate entry fee paid when arriving at the resort helps to fund a wide range of visitor services provided by the Mt Hotham Resort Management Board," she said.
"The infrastructure that underpins the services is paid for on a user pays basis through the resort entry fees.
"The essential services infrastructure of water, sewerage, roads, car parks, drainage, garbage, gas services and a variety of environmental programs are all paid for by the lessees and businesses which operate at Mt Hotham.
"Without these essential property type services there are no ski field development or ski field recreation opportunities able to be offered."
Correction
The Myrtleford Times, Bright and Kiewa Valley Observers would like to correct a number of inaccuracies in the article "Debate over new resort entry fees" in the issue of Wednesday, February 17.
The minister responsible for signing off on the proposed fee changes is Minister for Environment and Climate Change Gavin Jennings, not Minister for Tourism Tim Holding as reported.
The cap applying to resort visitors who travel to the mountain by bus has been removed, while the 10 day vehicle cap remains in place.
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