MOUNT Buffalo's chalet has long been thought of as a grand old lady, although in recent times the emphasis has been more on the old than the grand.
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Since 2007, the weatherboard landmark has been derelict, left to rot as its future is clouded with administrative indecision.
Paint has peeled and timber weathered on the 1909 construction while politicians prevaricated.
The expectation in recent times had been that buildings would be demolished and the chalet would lose its structural integrity.
Now Environment Minister Lisa Neville has committed to no razing of buildings and spending $4.3 million on beautifying the chalet and its surrounds at The Gorge.
These moves are welcome, but they invite further questions.
The most important is what will happen to the chalet in the long-term?
Its fate needs to be made clear and to that end an advisory group has been established featuring representatives from North East organisations.
Hopefully it can find a viable solution for the chalet which can win the support of the government of the day.
Previous efforts have been fruitless with power issues and lease requirements proving stumbling points.
Nevertheless, with Ms Neville's decision to retain all the buildings, there is the opportunity for a fresh approach to be taken to revitalising the chalet.
Crowdsourcing has been flagged as one option and certainly if fond memories were currency, it would be awash with cash.
Integral to the chalet succeeding is turning sentiment into succour, nostalgia into nurture and memories into money.
The reality is that money will largely have to come from the private sector with governments no longer in the business of running guesthouses a la the Victorian railways.
The Border Mail wishes the advisory group success and urge the government to seriously pursue a reopening of the chalet.
It is an important part of Victorian heritage and the nation's Alpine story which has been neglected for too long.
It will not be easy, but a serious, wide-ranging attempt needs to be made.
The chalet's visage is as identifiable with the North East as the Opera House is with Sydney.
Every effort should be taken to have its glory restored for tourists near and far to enjoy.
