This year’s snow season lured 32,000 people to the National Park, up 10,500 on last year.

Alps chief ranger with Parks Victoria Peter Jacobs said this year’s excellent snowfalls had been a major drawcard, as well as the wide range of visitor services and amenities in the park.

“The fact that the chalet remains closed has not had a significant effect on visitors as figures show the majority of visitors are coming for day trips,” he said.

And come summer time, Parks Victoria expects even larger visitor numbers.

Parks Victoria will again host a summer ranger program in both the Alpine and Mount Buffalo National Parks for the duration of the holidays which includes ranger-guided walks, talks and other activities.

“We actually attract about three to four times the amount of visitors in the summer,” he said.

“Keown Lodge at Dingo Dell will reopen on Melbourne Cup weekend with staff from The Larder at Bright providing food and refreshments for visitors.

“It will also continue the handy shopping service for campers at Lake Catani camp ground, which is undergoing its annual clean and polish in preparation for opening on cup weekend.”

While the future of the Mount Buffalo Chalet remains in limbo, the removal of caretakers by the lessee, Burbank, has meant water and sewerage treatment is no longer available to the Gorge toilets, which were linked to the chalet system.

However, temporary units are now in place.

Planning is also under way by Parks Victoria to establish an independent water supply and sewerage system for the toilets.

Portable toilets are in place at Cresta Valley, and all other permanent facilities are operational.

Meanwhile, the Brumby Government has announced its plan to spend $28 million over the next 12 months to upgrade some of Victoria’s parks and reserves.

The program will include improvements to facilities such as car parks, toilet blocks, visitor and camping areas at the Alpine National Park.

- Editorial — page 14