Heritage Victoria has provided a letter of support to a PricewaterhouseCoopers report detailing a range of potential developments on Mount Buffalo.
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The government organisation would have to be involved in concepts relating to heritage assets like the 108-year-old chalet.
Executive Director Steven Avery wrote in a letter to Alpine Council, which commissioned the report, that Heritage Victoria understood the establishment of a cafe costing $2 million could include installation of a disabled lift, conversion of the Buffalo Bar area to a commercial kitchen, and upgrades to the central wing.
“We understand the proposal may include the installation of solar panels in discrete rooftop locations at the chalet,” he said.
“The proposed works are likely to require a permit.
“Heritage Victoria strongly supports the activation of Mount Buffalo Chalet for public access, and give in principle support to this proposal.”
Permits were issued for removal of a corrugated iron boiler room and fire escape stairs, and the replacement of the ballroom roof, for a recent $2.8 million external works project by Parks Victoria.
Heritage Victoria has previously supported chalet redevelopment plans that included partial demolition – shelved by the Andrews government in 2015, which instead enacted a community advisory group that has led to the current PwC report.
Alpine Council chief executive Charlie Bird was confident Heritage Victoria would support the goals of the Mount Buffalo Business Case Assessment Taskforce.
“They’ve been very good to work with and understand the importance of reinvigorating the chalet and the need to meet certain access requirements today,” he said.
“The cafe in the chalet is the first step, to then build towards the further re-invigoration of the entire chalet.
“Having a cafe in there would also allow self-guided tours within a relatively small footprint; for example they’d be able to go into the ballroom which Parks Victoria has recently renewed.
“The broader building will continue to be maintained by Parks Victoria, as it has been.”
The Mount Buffalo Business Case Assessment and Activation report will be tabled at tonight’s Alpine Council meeting.
Assets Director William Jeremy wrote in his report to council the taskforce, council and PwC had been working to engage the relevant government ministers’ offices.
“Feedback has been positive from all stakeholders about establishing a cafe in the chalet, however the two main challenges relate to planning and funding,” he said.
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