Under a 40-year plan by the state government, Jindabyne and Snowy Mountains will be made into an all-year playground, with more accommodation, glamping, and helicopter commutes to Perisher, Thredbo, and Charlotte Pass.
Draft master plans for the Snowy Mountains “special activate precinct” include 4000 beds across the ski resorts. This is an increase of around 40%. There will also be more parking and a significant expansion to Perisher village. Charlotte Pass will become “a year-round tourist destination.”
Jindabyne, nearby, will also see major changes, including a new square and the much-needed “eat street.” There will also be a Southern Connector Road that will bypass the town. A sports and education precinct and more housing will also be added.
The master plan draft is available for public viewing until August 23. Before finalizing the plan, the Planning Department will host forums at Rydges Horizons for community and business stakeholders.
The controversial plan allows for “helicopter commuting” between the resorts. It will also allow commercial tour operators 4WD access “minimal basis” to Rawson Pass or the Snowies Iconic Walk.
These changes angered the National Conservation Council (NCC) and the National Parks Association of NSW (NPA). Gary Dunnett, executive officer of NPA, stated that these reckless proposals “overturn more than forty years of careful planning.
Last month, Anthony Evans from the government’s National Parks and Wildlife Service spoke at a webinar. He acknowledged concerns over the overdevelopment of Kosciuszko National Park. However, he said that the proposals were balanced and that the land would not be disturbed.
Evans stated, “For every person who believes there’s too much development, there are people who want to see more.
“Numbers have increased significantly. This is a positive thing. We want people coming to national parks, and we have to meet their requirements.
Evans stated that putting more beds in the park would reduce the pressure on the roads to Jindabyne. “Everyone knows how it feels to try to reach Thredbo or Perisher at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning.
The plan notes that it is important to diversify recreation at the alpine precinct and “unlock Jindabyne’s summer tourism industry” because climate change will decrease the quality and duration of the snow season.
According to the plan, annual visitor numbers will rise from approximately 700,000. In 2019 to 1.35 Million by 2060. This would make it $470 million more costly each year.
In 2023, the Snowies Iconic Walk will link Thredbo with Charlotte Pass, Guthega, and Lake Crackenback. The plan also proposes a new trail, the Snowy Valley Track, to connect Guthega and Lake Jindabyne via Snowy River.
Additionally, there will be more “snow play” areas on the mountain for activities other than tobogganing and snow tubing. These areas will be integrated at Selwyn Snow Resort as well as Perisher Village. They are being considered for each alpine resort “without competing with visitor amenity or ski lift access.”
Roland Everingham, a board member of SLOPES (The Ski Lodges Organisation of Perisher Smiggins and Guthega), stated that the draft master plan contained many positive aspects but left open the question of Kosciuszko National Park governance.
Vail Resorts Australia has been vying for a long-term head leasing over Perisher Range from commercial operators. In 2017, the NSW government rejected the idea and decided to keep the land under the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s control.
Mr. Everingham stated that while Parks does a great job managing the park, it is not well-positioned for the management of the resort portion. “There has not been much change over a long time. We are drifting in the wrong direction at the moment.