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Proposed ANARE development at Falls Creek
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BWV have received this notice from the Cross Country Skiing Association regarding a proposed structure to be built at the Lakeside Precinct at Falls Creek. Their objections are outlined below.
Given the short time frame for responses, and as many club members also do cross country skiing, we are sending you this information to enable clubs to comment on the planning proposal.
NOTE: Objections must be lodged with DELWP by next Monday (23 January).
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ANARE Shed Planning Permit Update
Alpine Resorts Victoria has submitted an application to the Department of Planning for a permit to undertake the works to develop a car park and day shelter at the ANARE shed. If granted, this will result in the winter clearing of the BHP Road from Windy Corner to the Lakeside Precinct and the destruction of the XC ski trail system that we are seeking to protect.
The Cross Country Ski Association Victoria lodged an objection to the planning permit for the ANARE shed PA2201858 on 13th January.
The planning documentation lodged by Alpine Resorts Victoria is littered with misleading information either through incorrect information or failure to address key statements in the planning provisions.
What can you do to help?
We collectively need to object to this planning permit application. A summary of the XCSAV planning objections are included below however, you don't need to have a detailed knowledge of the planning framework to object - every voice counts.
An objection can even just be a statement that the proposal to develop a car park and clear the BHP Road during winter will result in:
- the loss of the XC industry at Falls Creek
- create an unacceptable safety risk to members of the public, professional staff and even ARV staff, and
- is not consistent with any published resort development strategy.
To assist you in writing your objection, we have uploaded a template you can use on savefallscreekxc.org/take-action. The more objections, the better! (they cost nothing).
How submit an objection
- Objections should be sent to development.approvals@delwp.vic.gov.au
- Subject: Objection to ANARE shed development - PA2201858
- Include your contact details e.g. name/address
- Must be submitted by Monday 23rd January
Visit the Department of Transport and Planning website to find out more information about the planning permit - PA2201858.
Summary of the XCSAV Planning Objections:
Planning Policy Framework Clause: 11
Planning is to recognise the need for, and as far as practicable contribute towards:
· Health, wellbeing and safety.
· Economic viability.
Contravention - The proposal increases the public safety risk considerably and will significantly detract from health and wellbeing in the XC community through the significant impact on the XC trail system. The Hoppet and a suite of international, state and community event will not be held.
The economic viability of the proposal has not been publicly released by the applicant and is suspected of being bias.
Planning Policy Framework Clause: 11.01-1L
Consolidate future growth within the existing village boundaries to maximise accessibility and infrastructure use, to limit intrusion into skifields and minimise adverse environmental impacts.
Contravention - The proposal significantly intrudes in the XC skiing terrain by removing the main XC arterial trail and impacting other trails to the point of un-usability.
Planning Policy Framework Clause: 11.01-1L
Promote the commercial nodes of the villages as the primary focus for commercial, tourism and community activities.
Contravention - The Lakeside Precinct is not a commercial node and is specifically noted in the Master Plan 2016 for summer commercial activation only.
Planning Policy Framework Clause: 11.01-1L
Avoid future development outside of the villages unless there is an overriding need for a remote settlement.
Contravention - The application is in direct conflict of this clause. There is no contemporary or historic identification of this Precinct for winter development.
Promote:
Windy Corner as a future area for development, while maintaining facilities for cross country skiing and snow play.
The proposal is in direct conflict with this statement.
Planning Policy Framework Clause: 11.01-1L - no clause (just a lack of alignment)
Contravention - There is no identification for winter car parking or commercial activation in the Lakeside Precinct in the Master Plan.
The proposal to insert winter car parking in the Lakeside Precinct is strategically isolated and is not a component of any current or previous resort strategy or Master Plan.
Planning Policy Framework Clause: 11.03
Recognise the unique features and special characteristics of these areas and landscapes.
Contravention - Protect the identified key values and activities of these areas.
Avoid use and development that could undermine the long-term natural or non-urban use of land in these areas.
The area of proposed road clearing is set aside for XC skiing.
Planning Policy Framework Clause: 12.04
Ensure that increases in skier, pedestrian and vehicular activity in the resorts do not compromise public safety or the accessibility and capacity of ski fields, services, commercial activity and development of trailheads
Contravention - It is jaw dropping that this statement in the planning scheme has not been addressed by the Applicant. The proposal to clear the BHP road is in direct conflict with every objective of this statement.
Planning Policy Framework Clause: 12.04-1L
Limit the development and management of skifield terrain and facilities to within the skifields as shown on the Strategic Land Use Framework Plans at Clause 02.04.
Contravention - Clearing a ski trail and establishing a new car park in an existing ski field is not compatible with the existing use of the area. The proposal will destroy the existing use of the area as an XC skiing facility through the removal of the main arterial trail.
Design development to complement the operation of the skifields, including skier and snowplay access and skifield infrastructure.
The proposed clearing of the BHP Road to facilitate winter vehicle access to the proposed facility will severely impact the XC trail network and will not complement the trail system in any capacity.
Focus commercial activity, community facilities, skier congr
egations, skifield access points and transport hubs around the resort centres
The proposed development fragments the existing commercial activity and is not consistent with a consolidated resort centre (village).
Planning Policy Framework Clause: 12.04-1L
Encourage small scale commercial and retail development in the ski fields if it:
· Fulfils a demonstrated need for snow users.
· Is integral to a development for passive alpine recreation.
· Does not impede ski runs or major skier routes.
Contravention - There is no demonstrated need for this facility to operate in winter via a cleared BHP Road that provides vehicular access to the Lakeside Precinct.
The proposed development will significantly negatively impact the passive XC skiing activity at Falls Creek through the removal of the main trail in the system.
Planning Policy Framework Clause: 12.04-1L
Restrict the use of the skifields to snow based recreational activities
Contravention - A cleared road and car park is not a snow-based recreational activity nor does the proposal develop any new market for new snow-based recreational activities.
Focus commercial activity, community facilities, skier congregations, skifield access points and transport hubs around the resort centres
Windy Corner is the skifield access point for XC skiing and is identified as such in all resort strategic planning and village and skifield maps.
Planning Policy Framework Clause: 12.05
Protect environmentally sensitive areas with significant recreational value from development that would diminish their environmental conservation or recreational values.
Contravention - A cleared road and car park in the middle of a ski field will severely impact the XC trail network within the resort. Furthermore, the supporting documents to the application identify the area is key habitat for Broad-toothed Rat () – which has been identified as present during the 2022 winter. This species will often access above-snow areas in their habitat throughout winter. These sightings are common in the alpine landscape. The proposed removal of snow, for both the new car park and the existing section of the Bogong High Plain Road will create an impacted natural habitat, even through the sub-snow surface is already modified. This aspect of habitat destruction was not noted in the FFA report prepared by Biosis.
Planning Policy Framework Clause: 13.01-1S
Site and design development to minimise risk to life, health, property, the natural environment and community infrastructure from natural hazards.
Contravention - The proposed car park and day shelter are in a highly exposed area of the resort with no natural protection from the prevailing wind direction and direct exposure to the southerly aspect that can produce winds which cause the windchill factor to fall below -15C.
The anticipated impacts of climate change is for an increase in storm intensity that will worsen the exposure impacts, including both snow and rain storms and wind velocity.
Planning Policy Framework Clause: 17.04-1L
Facilitate sufficient skifield terrain catering to a range of skill levels,
cross-country trails, snow play areas and associated infrastructure.
Contravention - The proposed development significantly detracts from the skiing terrain available for beginner skiers, families and skiers seeking shelter during adverse weather.
If the proposed development proceeds it will not be possible to conduct FIS international standard XC events at Falls Creek. The cascading effect that this will have on the development of Australian athletes from school entry programs to Olympic level athletes will be catastrophic.
The Kangaroo Hoppet, Australia’s premier XC ski event and a member of the prestigious Worldloppet Series will no longer be able to be held. This event has been running since 1991 and is the largest annual snowsports event in the southern hemisphere. The Hoppet attracts around 1,000 skiers with 10-20% of the field coming from overseas. The event week alone contributes over $1M to the local economy. If this development proceeds the Hoppet will no longer be viable due to the compromised ski trail system. Both the Kangaroo Hoppet Inc and Snow Australia, as the auspicing national administrator, do not support the proposed clearing of the road.
Encourage development of the cross country trail system, particularly in the Rocky Valley Dam area and the Nordic Bowl.
The proposed development removes skiing terrain in these locations and is in direct contradiction of this clause.
Planning Policy Framework Clause: 18.02-4L
Facilitate safe and efficient car parking within the alpine resorts that meet visitor needs.
Contravention - The proposed car park is in a highly exposed location and is not safe for members of the public during adverse weather events. Locate short term/day car parking areas at Gully Portal, Village Plaza and Windy Corner. The Lakeside Precinct is not identified for short-term/day parking.
Other notable points to provide objection:
- The application is not supported by the Falls Creek Master Plan 2016
- The application is not supported by the Falls Creek Strategic Management Plan – A Pathway to the Future 2013
- The Applicant did not undertake timely stakeholder communication when developing this proposal. Subsequent post-project development consultation has not been incorporated into any aspect of the application.
- The sale and consumption of alcohol is not consistent with the current winter activation of the location.
If you have any questions please reach out to Ben Derrick on benderrick22@outlook.com, Kate Prest at katepresto123@gmail.com or Nick Montgomery at secretary.xcsav@gmail.com.
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