Brumby continues Brack’s Bungling of Mount Buffalo Chalet

07-April-2009

Sophie Mirabella MP, Federal Liberal Member for Indi spoke today on the Brumby Government’s change of heart on the Mount Buffalo Chalet.

“Premier John Brumby, while in the Indigo Shire to promote tourism to the region, promised that an alternative operator would be named in the not too distant future, giving the impression that the Chalet would be re-opened soon.”

“Since returning to Melbourne he has apparently had a change of heart. Reports now suggest that locals will be waiting as long as two years for the historic Mount Buffalo Chalet to re-open,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“Mr Brumby’s original promise made on his recent visit to Beechworth was very misleading to residents who know the importance of the Chalet to the region’s tourism. Clearly Mr Brumby made a promise without checking the facts; a promise that ultimately, he couldn’t keep.”

“He is simply continuing Steve Bracks’ legacy of bungling and mismanagement when it comes to the Mount Buffalo Chalet,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“Local residents pleaded with the Victorian Government in late 2006 to come to some arrangement so that the Chalet could remain open, these calls went unanswered. I joined with residents in 2006 to warn the Victorian Government that closing the Chalet’s doors as a commercial venture would lead to the building falling into disrepair.”

“Not surprisingly, Parks Victoria has admitted that the Chalet, closed for over two years, will need extensive refurbishment before it can be re-opened to the public,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“The Victorian Government showed arrogant disregard for the needs of the region when they chose to close the Chalet’s doors in 2007.”

“Mr Brumby must show that he is serious about supporting tourism in the region and commit to the necessary refurbishment and development of infrastructure to allow for the Chalet to re-open as soon as possible,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.