ARV is committed to the long-term sustainability and growth of the alpine sector. In alignment with this, ARV has worked with the industry and partners to deliver meaningful reform in the surrounding regulatory environment to improve outcomes for the resorts and their stakeholders.
Key Projects
Developing the Victorian Government Alpine Resorts Leasing Policy
The Alpine Resorts Leasing Policy is a whole of government framework that guides lease administration across Victoria’s six alpine resorts. In 2025, ARV led efforts to modernise the Policy to reflect current government priorities and contemporary expectations for investment in the alpine sector.
ARV worked in partnership with DEECA and undertook a coordinated program of sector engagement. A Stakeholder Reference Group was established with representatives from resort Stakeholder Consultative Committees, the alpine real estate sector and the Alpine Resorts Industry Advisory Group. Their input informed the refinement of the draft Policy and Procedures to ensure alignment with Crown land requirements and the future needs of alpine communities and operators.
The draft Policy was released for public consultation in late 2025, with finalisation expected in early 2026. Key updates include the introduction of a lease term matrix and strengthened principles of consistency, certainty and transparency. These improvements provide clearer and more predictable leasing pathways to support long term planning and investment across the alpine resorts.
Improvements to leasing framework
ARV enhanced its leasing framework to improve efficiency, consistency and delivery timeframes across all alpine resorts. Collaboration with DEECA, enabled earlier identification and resolution of issues from initial planning through to execution, resulting in clearer documentation, improved risk management and more timely lease finalisation.
Lease application processes were standardised across all resorts, providing clearer requirements for applicants and supporting more consistent assessment, governance and transparency in decision making.
Together, these improvements along with the development of the Alpine Resorts Leasing Policy support more effective leasing outcomes for lessees, government and alpine communities.
Building relationships with Traditional Owners of Alpine Country
ARV is committed to working with Traditional Owners of alpine Country for the long-term protection, sustainability and enjoyment of the alpine resorts.
The alpine region forms part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape that includes the Country of Traditional Owner groups represented by the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation at Mount Baw Baw and Mount Hotham, the Taungurung Land and Waters Council at Lake Mountain, Mt Buller, Mt Stirling and Mt Hotham, and the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation at Lake Mountain. ARV also acknowledges other Traditional Owner groups with cultural connections to alpine Country and is committed to partnering with all Traditional Owners in the management of the resorts.
To advance these relationships and collaborative partnerships, ARV developed a Traditional Owner Engagement and Self-determination Strategy. This Strategy provides a five-year framework to guide how ARV works with Traditional Owners to support their rights and aspirations. Developed with both Registered Aboriginal Parties and other Traditional Owner groups in a self-determined way, the Strategy focuses on governance and accountability, culture and Country, along with economic opportunities. Key actions outlined in the Strategy include developing partnership agreements, supporting cultural mapping, incorporating Traditional Owner knowledge into land management, building cultural capability across the ARV workforce, and identifying employment, procurement and tourism opportunities. Implementation will occur through ARV’s annual planning and reporting processes, with a formal review scheduled for 2030.
Page last updated: 05/10/26