Events
Alpine Resorts
Sustainability Forums
These, now annual, Forums are designed to be a catalyst for change
and initiatives in sustainable use and management of alpine resorts.
They are a not-to be-missed event for alpine resort managers, those
in snow-related industries, on-mountain businesses, and indeed all
those interested in Victoria's alpine resorts.
The seventh
annual Alpine Resorts Sustainability Forum is being organised by
NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water in conjunction
with the Victorian Alpine Resorts Co-ordinating Council and will
be held 9-10 May 2011 at Jindabyne in NSW. The forum theme is 'Diversity
- Beyond the Boundaries'. For further details visit the 2011
Sustainability Forum website. To register your interest please
contact 2011sustainability.forum@environment.nsw.gov.au
 The
Alpine Resorts Co-ordinating Council held the fifth annual Alpine
Sustainability Forum at Mt Buller from 6 to 8 May 2010.
The theme of
the forum was 'It's all about the future'. It was the first time
the event was held at Mt Buller resort, and it was opened by the
Victorian Minister for Environment and Climate Change Gavin Jennings.
The conference
facilities and restaurants at Mt Buller were exceptional and provided
a wonderful setting and experience for those who attended this years'
forum.
 The
2009 Alpine Resorts Sustainability Forum was organised by the NSW
Department of Environment and Climate Change at Thedbo, NSW, from
30 April to 2 May 2009. The theme of the Forum was 'Sharing Sustainable
Solutions'. The 2009 event was the first time the Forum was held
in a Resort and also the first time it was hosted outside Victoria.
In line with the Forum's theme, the program showcased operators
who are leading the way in implementing sustainable projects related
to water, buildings and protecting the alpine ecosystem. A central
feature was an exhibition of products and services related to the
theme.
 The
fourth Alpine Resorts Sustainability
Forum brought together 130 of the key players involved in alpine
resorts from across Australia. A real highlight was international
keynote speaker, Dr Danuser, the CEO of St.Moritz of Switzerland.
Dr Danuser shared his extensive knowledge and experience in developing
leading edge environmental programs and how his Resort was dealing
with "hot" and "cold" beds and providing housing
for resort staff. Other highlights were a Hypothetical led by media
personality and skier, Rob Gell, a series of workshops, and a sneak
preview of a yet to be released freeheel film by Steve Curtain.
The Forum's theme was 'Creating Sustainable Alpine Communities'
and as, Council Chairman, Andrew Fairly, said: "The all-year
round resort that many of us are aspiring to will only be successful
if we seriously look at how we can together create communities on
our mountains that are viable, interesting and sustainable".
The following
links provide details of past Sustainability Forums organised by
the ARCC:
Alpine Resorts Sustainability
Forum 2010 (06 May 2010)
Alpine Resorts Sustainability
Forum 2008 (17 April 2008)
Alpine Resorts Sustainability
Forum 2007 (27 April 2007)
Alpine Resorts Sustainability Forum 2006 (28 April 2006)
Alpine Resorts Sustainability
Forum 2005 (29 April 2005)
Access and
Diversity Workshop
Nearly 40 representatives of disability, ethnic and disadvantaged
'user' groups, on-mountain 'providers' and the Resort Boards gathered
in Melbourne in November 2009 to share their experiences and ideas
about how access and diversity objectives can be put in place. Following
a personal address from Gavin Jennings, the Minister for Environment
and Climate Change, the participants listened to the perspectives
of a teacher working with students form a 'disadvantaged area',
an ethnic community advocate and a disability worker. After hearing
of some 'good news' stories from each Alpine Resort, participants
broke into workshop groups to listen to each other, to identify
barriers and new consider new ideas and approaches. Link
here for a copy of the workshop presentations, a transcript
of proceedings and the key findings.
Key Worker
Housing Workshop
 The
Council hosted a one day workshop on Key Worker Housing in the Alpine
Resorts in December 2007. A perennial problem for the Resorts and
on-mountain businesses is how to accommodate staff. With the environmental
impact of driving to and from off-mountain accommodation each day
and the social benefits of developing sustainable communities now
also being recognised, it was timely to bring alpine managers, on-mountain
businesses and other key stakeholders together. Around 50 participants
worked together to identify issues and explore solutions. Link
here for more information and copies of the workshop presentations.
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