Frequently Asked Questions - Mount Buffalo Chalet - Parks Victoria
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Frequently Asked Questions - Mount Buffalo Chalet
1. Why isn’t the Victorian Government restoring the Mount Buffalo Chalet?
The Victorian Government understands the importance of the Mount Buffalo National Park to the North-
Eastern community and the park being a drawcard for the local tourism industry
Originally intended to be built of granite, the Mount Buffalo Chalet is predominantly made of timber. It was
designed as a temporary building and, over the years, various improvements and additions were made,
continuing to use timber as the main building material.
To fully restore the 100-year-old chalet and re-open it as either a day visitor centre or contemporary
accommodation venue would require a substantial multi-million-dollar investment.
Parks Victoria is committed, however to maintaining the Heritage Values of the building and its surrounds
and will continue an annual maintenance program that seeks to prevent any deterioration in the structural
fabric of the building
2. What works are currently underway at the Mount Buffalo Chalet?
The current $2.8 million ‘external chalet maintenance project’ is almost complete and will preserve the front
façade of the chalet. These works will be completed by winter 2018.
These works to date include
• restumping of floor in the main section of the Chalet and support new works to the façade repairs
• replacement and painting of weatherboards, wall and window frames on the front and side facades
• resetting of loose stonework on the building base
• replacing the ageing water supply line
• essential maintenance of the garden
This year the works will include:
• completing the reroofing of the ballroom
• replacement and painting of weatherboards, wall and window frames on the back of the main tower
and final external wall of the dining room wing.
• Polishing of the café floor
• Internal plaster repair and repaint in the dining room.
The annual program of maintenance for the Chalet will continue alongside the “external chalet
maintenance” project and this year will:
• Repair multiple fire escapes at the rear of the building
• Paint external rear walls.
• Replacement and painting of weatherboards for multiple rear area walls in deteriorating condition.
• Install protective wrap on Nth Wing end wall.
• Upgrade electrical distribution boards to be RCD protected and compliant.
• Replace backup diesel fire pump.
Prepared by Parks Victoria, 16 March 2018
Page 1 of 6• Restump Billiard Room
• Polishing of Billiard Room
3. When will current external chalet maintenance project be completed?
The heritage-listed Mount Buffalo Chalet is undergoing a substantial external chalet maintenance project to
restore the front façade of the building and the gardens to their former glory. This is the most significant
restoration work at the chalet since it was closed in 2007.
The project aimed to make safe and secure the historic timber building that was built over 100 years ago and
give the building a safe foundation. The $2.8 million external chalet maintenance project is due for
completion prior to winter 2018 although Parks Victoria will continue a program of regular maintenance on
the Chalet that aims to continue to maintain the heritage values of this iconic building.
4. What is the Mount Buffalo Destination Advisory Group?
The Mount Buffalo Destination Advisory Group (MBDAG) was established by the Victorian Government in
March 2016 to work collaboratively with Parks Victoria and provide strategic recommendations about the
future of the Mount Buffalo National Park to Parks Victoria’s Chief Executive.
The Advisory Group have been engaging with the local community and interested parties to build a vision for
the future of the whole of mountain destination
5. What is the MBDAG Vision Statement?
The MBDAG produced a Vison Statement document that was presented to the Victorian Government in
early 2017.
This vision has brought together a broad collection of parties providing their expertise and knowledge and a
passion for Mount Buffalo,
The vision presented provides an all of mountain, blue sky approach to how Mount Buffalo can be re-
activated and provide the impetus for not only the preservation but enhancement of the historic Mount
Buffalo Chalet and the entire mountain destination.
The Vision Statement included concept master plans for the Resort Gateway, Cresta Valley Alpine Activity
Centre, Dingo Dell Outdoor Education Centre and the Mount Buffalo Chalet Village including both the
reactivation of the historic Chalet and surrounding buildings and a new Mount Buffalo Spa and Hotel.
None of the projects identified within the Vision Statement were backed up with financial funding or
investments, they were presented to the Victorian Government as concepts to begin conversations as to
what could be envisaged for the mountain.
Prepared by Parks Victoria, 16 March 2018 Page 2 of 66. What is the Mount Buffalo Business Assessment Taskforce?
The Victorian Government wants to ensure a strategic approach for the future of the whole of the Mount
Buffalo National Park as a year-round destination. Therefore, the Victorian Government has committed
$200,000 to an independent taskforce overseen by the Alpine Shire Council.
This taskforce has been charged with undertaking a critical analysis of all the options presented to develop a
comprehensive whole of mountain destination marketing approach for Mount Buffalo National Park.
The review is expected to be completed by mid to late 2018 and will provide a report of recommendations
for the Victorian Government’s consideration.
7. What is Parks Victoria’s plan for the ongoing maintenance of the Mount Buffalo Chalet?
Parks Victoria undertakes an annual maintenance program for the chalet and the gardens to preserve the
heritage values of the building.
Maintenance works includes:
• Painting and recladding areas of the building that were not included in the external maintenance
project.
• fixing roof leaks;
• working with Heritage Victoria and the local Heritage builders to find temporary solutions to protect
the sections of the building not included in the $2.8 million external chalet maintenance project; and
• Regular maintenance and upgrades to the Chalet’s fire and security systems.
• Maintaining the grounds for fire season preparation.
8. What is Parks Victoria doing with the garden?
As part of the $2.8 million external chalet maintenance, the formal European style garden at the front of the
chalet has undergone significant work to restore some original components of the garden. The garden will
continue to be maintained by Parks Victoria as part of the annual maintenance program managed by the
local staff.
The gardening maintenance program includes
• Mowing any long grass and maintaining lawns
• Brush-cutting hard to access areas of long grass
• Spraying for weed management and suppression of long growth. Especially in-between rocks
• Removal of builder’s debris such as timber and fly screens
• Maintenance of fire system internal and external including fire hoses for each fire hydrant
• Water tanks kept full for sprinkler and main tanks
• Clearance for emergency vehicle access
• Briefing of staff for the procedure of fire emergency plan
• Removal of overgrown tea tree in unwanted areas
Prepared by Parks Victoria, 16 March 2018 Page 3 of 69. Are there any other projects planned to take place at Mount Buffalo National Park while the
external maintenance works are happening at the Chalet?
• The Victorian Government announced in 2015 that an $1.5 million investment into upgrading the
Gorge Visitor Area (below the Chalet) would take place.
• The project features a number of facets including:
o An all-ability lookout has been designed to enhance the current disabled lookout enabling
improved access and attraction for more visitors. It features glass walls, a section of glass
flooring enabling visitors to see the spectacular views down the valley floor as well as a
canopy roof for all-weather viewing. These improvements will make the Gorge Day Visit
Area far more appealing in attracting all-abilities visitors to the Gorge area all year round.
o The project also encompasses the improvement of car and coach parking across the site.
This involves the layout of the parking bays making them more efficient to arrive and exit;
including, pedestrian safety and easier access to picnic areas.
o The inclusion of a food and beverage offering, improvement to signage, installation of new
park furniture and picnic tables along with the upgrade of the existing toilet facility including
waste water treatment system will all ensure the delivery of an exciting new attraction for
the Gorge Visitor Area and the Mount Buffalo National Park.
10. When does The Gorge Visitor Area Upgrade Project get underway?
Parks Victoria are finalising the project plans along with the architectural designs for the carpark layout,
toilet facility and the all-abilities lookout. Parks Victoria will shortly be going out to tender for construction
works to be undertaken with the project due for completion at the end of 2018/early 2019.
11.What is Parks Victoria doing to make the Mount Buffalo Chalet safe and secure?
Parks Victoria’s annual maintenance program ensures that the chalet is safe and secure for visitors and staff.
Threats to the building such as fire, vandalism and general weather deterioration are actively managed.
Parks Victoria has installed an upgraded CCTV system at the chalet and staff check the building and its
surrounds daily. The chalet’s fire and security systems are monitored by external security company 24/7.
12.Will Parks Victoria be running tours of the Mount Buffalo Chalet in the future?
Yes, over the summer holiday period over 500 people were given a guided tour by Parks Victoria Ranger staff
of the inside of the Mount Buffalo Chalet Tours will be scheduled again during the upcoming Easter and
Summer Holiday periods depending on the completion of the $2.8million external maintenance project.
13.Have interesting artefacts been found at the Mount Buffalo Chalet?
The chalet is a gold mine of history and many interesting artefacts have been found in and around the
building, ranging from graffiti from the original builders to Victorian Railways cutlery and plates.
Prepared by Parks Victoria, 16 March 2018 Page 4 of 6Parks Victoria will return some of these artefacts back into the building. Visitors will be able to see the
artefacts during the chalet tours
14. Are the restored windows compliant with Heritage Victoria guidelines?
The chalet windows are being restored as per the original approved processes from Heritage Victoria, and
the restoration will be managed on a site-specific basis involving a Heritage Architect.
The windows, like most of the building, tread the line between various opposing requirements, such as the
BAL or Bushfire attack level rating, Heritage, Environmental, EPA and Alpine construction considerations
such as durability and wind loads. The focus is restoring the windows where possible however a small
number of windows will be close to 100% new due to the level of deterioration.
Damaged windows will be removed and restored by Superior Joinery, a specialist timber joinery company in
Wangaratta. Restoration will be managed on a case-by-case basis and may include the timberwork, fittings,
caulking and glazing. Where possible fittings, fixtures, timber types and profiles will be maintained, and if
required will be replaced with an equivalent modern version.
Window glazing will remain single-glazed, with curtains covering the windows. There will be no double
glazing in the restored windows.
15. Why haven’t the windows been double glazed?
The chalet windows are being restored as per the original approved processes from Heritage Victoria, and
the restoration will be managed on a site-specific basis involving a Heritage Architect.
The Heritage approach, in keeping with the original plans, was to maintain single glazing with curtains
covering the windows.
When windows are double glazed, certain types of sills, mouldings, trims and architraves have to be used to
carry the weight of the double glazing. To maintain the Heritage integrity of the chalet windows, double
glazing is not a viable option.
16. What is Parks Victoria doing about the weatherboards that are not being repaired or replaced?
The weatherboards on the east wall or façade of the chalet and sections of the north and south wall are
being repaired or replaced as part of the $2.8 million external chalet maintenance works.
The works on the north wall will finish at the end of Manfield’s Café and the Old Dining Room and the works
on the south wall will finish at the end of the original 1915 section of the chalet.
As part of Parks Victoria’s ongoing annual maintenance program, other sections of the chalet building will be
either painted or prioritised for recladding to ensure that the building is kept as water tight as possible. A
temporary cladding solutions to preserve the structural integrity and heritage values of the building will be
used in some areas.
Prepared by Parks Victoria, 16 March 2018 Page 5 of 617. What is happening with the furniture and other items that are currently in storage?
A wide selection of furniture including hotel crockery and memorabilia is currently stored either on site in
the chalet or in an offsite secure storage facility. The chalet is checked daily by Parks Victoria staff and the
condition of the furniture monitored carefully.
18. What is happening with the stables?
Parks Victoria is working on a multi-year approach to stabilising and restoring the old stables at the back of
the chalet.
19. How does Parks Victoria manage roof leaks?
Parks Victoria staff check the chalet building internally and externally every day. When the weather is
suitable, roofing plumbers are engaged to repair the leaks as part of the ongoing maintenance program.
20. Is there water at the chalet?
The only water supply currently available to the chalet is via the fire sprinkler system. This water is non-
potable, i.e. unsuitable for drinking. All other water systems have been drained to prevent leakages in the
building.
As part of the $2.8 million external chalet maintenance works, the main water pipe from Crystal Brook to the
header tanks has been replaced.
21. What is happening with the swimming pool?
The swimming pool is currently drained and fenced off for public safety reasons.
Prepared by Parks Victoria, 16 March 2018 Page 6 of 6You can also read
