The member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, said a Mount Buffalo forum would allow people to be involved in the $7.5 million redevelopment of the chalet for day visitors.

“This is a great opportunity for the community to provide input into the future of this treasured icon,” Dr Sykes said.

He said work on priority maintenance work — including re-stumping and asbestos removal — was in progress.

It is hoped the chalet will open next year.

Six members of the public will join Alpine Shire and Tourism North East representatives on the forum.

Candidates require experience in such fields as tourism, business, media, marketing and cultural heritage, and be good communicators.

Applications close on April 15 with information available from Parks Victoria’s Ty Caling on 131 963 or at parks.vic.gov.au/mountbuffalochalet.