In a report to council ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, Assets Director William Jeremy recommended $185,000 plus GST be awarded to PricewaterhouseCoopers for the Mount Buffalo Business Case Assessment and Activation.

Tenders for “project management, concept feasibility and project activation” attracted five applicants who addressed the scope in full, of which three were shortlisted.

The budget for the project comprises $200,0000 from Regional Development Victoria, announced by Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Danielle Green in December, and $70,000 from Parks Victoria.

Eleven members including state government and council representatives were appointed to a project task force, with council leading delivery.

Mr Jeremy wrote the basis for the feasibility study was the Vision for Mount Buffalo document.

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“This concept plan includes ideas to re-invigorate Mount Buffalo’s major visitor hubs – The Gorge and Chalet Village, Lake Catani, Dingo Dell, Cresta Valley and the Gateway,” he said.

“Council officers engaged with the Mount Buffalo Activation Task Force members in the preparation of the request for tender document, and through the subsequent tender evaluation process. 

“Following a comprehensive evaluation process, the tender from PricewaterhouseCoopers was deemed to present the best value for council.” 

Ms Green, at the funding announcement, said the study would “prepare a business case for tourism opportunities”.

“The scope will be determining potential demand and target markets, reviewing infrastructure and road capacity and preparing a marketing prospectus for feasible options,” she said.

She told The Border Mail the project had potential to outline funding avenues for tourism developments.

Parks Victoria are currently working through plans for a $1.5 million redevelopment of the Gorge Day Visitor Area.