A 20 kilowatt solar panel system will be located on the north-facing shed, with a battery storage of 36 KW to be used for the security and fire systems, and operations.

Parks Victoria is also evaluating tenders for a new all-abilities lookout with a section of glass flooring at the Gorge, part of a $1.5 million project announced by the state government in 2015.

"We are hoping to appoint a contractor shortly with a possibility of the lookout being installed prior to winter," a spokeswoman said.

"Following community consultation and feedback received in early 2018, Parks Victoria altered the design to remove the partial canopy roof from the lookout.

"This will ensure the lookout provides an open-air experience with panoramic views of the Gorge and Valley with minimal impact on the amenity of the location."

Other work left to complete on the $1.5 million upgrades are new signage, pedestrian walkways and picnic areas.

Initially, Parks Victoria was investigating the option of a portable food and beverage facility in the Gorge Day Visitor Area, additional to a coffee van that operates during summer.

This received a mixed response, with many supporters of the chalet's full restoration calling on a significant funding boost for the building so that a cafe could be returned there.

The floor in the former Mansfield Cafe was redone as part of $2.8 million in works to the chalet, which were also announced in 2015 with the establishment of the Mount Buffalo Destination Advisory Group.

But a PricewaterhouseCoopers report commissioned at the cost of $200,000 suggested a $2 million cafe should be built in the front rooms of the building, which were historically drawing and dining rooms.

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This PwC report has led to Parks Victoria moving away from their inquiries into a temporary cafe set-up at the Gorge.

"Following the recent report on the Mount Buffalo Destination Advisory Group Vision Statement with a subsequent recommendation to base a cafe offering within the Mount Buffalo Chalet, Parks Victoria will work with all parties on this concept," the spokeswoman said.

Alpine Council put forward an election pitch of $200,000 to establishing the cafe, if the Victorian government pledged the remaining $1.8 million required, but there was no response.

The state government is also yet to respond to the PwC report three months after its public release.

Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio was sent a series of questions including whether the government would commit to the full restoration of the chalet.

In response, a spokesman said the government acknowledged the work done so far by the Mount Buffalo Activation Taskforce.

"The Government will continue to work with the Alpine Shire Council, the Ovens Murray Regional Partnership and other key stakeholders in relation to the activation of Mount Buffalo," he said.

Alpine mayor Ron Janas said the taskforce was still relevant, but yet to schedule their next meeting, and said he would raise the status of the chalet with Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek when he visits in April.

"I've had no report back from the government at this point in relation to the PwC report," he said.

"The impression we had was that it has been received positively.

"We'd certainly like to see the government commit funding for the cafe section. 

"We'll continue to advocate on behalf of our communities for some action to happen up there."

Deputy mayor Sarah Nicholas, who moved the motion in November to put $200,000 to the cafe proposal, said it was disappointing the push had not resulted in funding being secured.

"The PwC report was a good way to show the steps that need to be taken and gives us a start," she said.

"Some solid support from the government is the best way forward."

Cr Nicholas said the government should formally respond to the PwC report, which came three years after then-Environment Minister Lisa Neville announced the chalet "would be made safe and secure".

"I think that (a response) would show goodwill, and that it's an important thing for both the council and the community, who are so passionate about making sure the chalet doesn't crumble around us," she said. 

"There is some money to keep it functional … but it's not enough to turn the chalet into functional accommodation or a cafe."