A plan to reopen a cafe within the Mount Buffalo chalet will be tabled at a meeting of an advisory group to the Victorian government which is exploring the future of the heritage listed building.
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In November last year Victorian Environment minister Lisa Neville announced $4.3 million would be spent on an upgrade to the chalet facade and the gorge day visitor area.
The latter would receive $1.5 million which would include the installation of a food and beverage facility, a proposal the Community Action for the Chalet group is against.
CAC chairman David Jacobson, who also sits on the chalet advisory group, said it had received feedback from the community neither a permanent nor semi-permanent food facility would be welcomed at the gorge area.
“The underlying reason is there is strong resentment from the community about any funds being diverted from getting a facility opened in the chalet,” he said.
“The community wants its foot back in the door to see the chalet isn’t dead and buried and there are serious efforts being made to get it reopened.
“Ultimately we want to see it open as accommodation again one day.”
Mr Jacobson said the CAC thought $1.5 million being spent on upgrading the main lookout car park and water supply would be stretched as it was without incorporating a food and beverage facility.
“The carpark is fairly tight for space as it is,” he said.
“A food and beverage outlet would increase the congestion.”
The CAC is instead proposing reestablishing the chalet’s original cafe which would be adjoined to a visitor centre and public toilets.
A north-facing alfresco area and a Parks Victoria office in the building are also a part of the group’s plan.
The proposal will be considered at the next meeting of the Mount Buffalo advisory group which meets on May 9.
Advisory group spokeswoman Amber Gardener said it would be considering a range of ideas for the future planning of the destination, including for the gorge visitor area.