Victoria's ski season has been saved from almost certain cancellation in a long overdue boost for the Alpine Shire which has endured back-to-back economic batterings from bushfires and COVID-19.
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The shire is home to some of the states most popular ski resorts in Mount Hotham and Falls Creek and Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed as part of a wide-ranging release of restrictions the ski season would be going ahead on June 22.
The target date is about a fortnight later than the traditional Queens Birthday weekend season opener for Victoria's ski fields.
"It is a terrific day for Victorian ski resorts," Australian Ski Areas Association chief executive Colin Hackworth said.
"With a date now in place people have certainty.
"Businesses can start to move forward in terms of making offers of employment, engaging with all their suppliers and importantly all the stakeholders can get together and work on a common plan so the season can actually open.
"But we have a 2020 ski season."
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The ski season revised opening also comes with the lifting of bans on overnight stays in both private residences and tourist accommodation from next Monday, which aligns with similar restrictions in NSW being eased.
Caravan parks and camping grounds are re-opening, but communal kitchens and bathrooms at these facilities will be remain off-limits.
Indoor public pools can also open next Monday with a maximum of 20 people and three people per lane.
From June 21 there can also be 50 people in pubs, restaurants and cafes.
Alpine mayor Peter Roper welcomed the easing of restrictions.
"I just hope we don't get any infection because that is the last thing we need," he said.
"But the announcement today is going to give businesses a great deal of heart that they will be able to survive.
"As far as the ski season goes I'm looking forward to seeing what that looks like and the plans put in place to mitigate any possible risks.
"But it is the first bit of good news we've had for a while."
Alpine Shire has remained virus free since the pandemic response ramped up in Australia in March.
Mardi Lucas has two businesses in Tawonga South, the Settlers Tavern and Snow View Holiday Apartments, which have been shut since March 23.
But she will re-open the pub on June 1 and on Sunday took four bookings for the apartments following the announcement the ski season was going ahead.
"I've been here for 14 years, and in hospitality for a hell of a lot longer than that, and I honestly thought I had no chance of re-starting again," she said.
"We will be re-opening on a knife's edge because we can only use a third of the pub with very restricted numbers.
"We're only going to open three days and try and control our overheads.
"It's baby steps."
Outdoor playgrounds, skateparks and outdoor communal gym equipment will re-open tomorrow and from June 1 libraries, youth centres, men's sheds, galleries, museums, drive-in cinemas, historic sites, zoos and outdoor amusement parks will also be back.
But there will be a limit of 20 people per space.
