THE main focus of the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct is to create a sustainable year-round economy in Jindabyne, Thredbo Resort, the Perisher Range and Charlotte Pass.
Currently this area is the most seasonal tourist region in Australia geared mainly toward the winter snow season.
The master plan identifies numerous topics including the sensitive nature of Kosciuszko National Park, housing and transport in Jindabyne and realising the need for improved infrastructure.
There are also diverse opportunities for both tourism and community growth within the precinct.
Jindabyne will see an upgraded lake foreshore, relocation of the Jindabyne Central School, a new Southern Connector bypass around Jindabyne and investment in infrastructure to meet tourism and residential growth estimations over 40 years.
The Department of Regional NSW is currently finalising a business case to determine investment opportunities and funding to support the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct. The NSW government’s investment will target catalytic projects and key infrastructure to leverage and develop a year-round tourism economy, improve regional access and amenities, and grow Jindabyne into Australia’s alpine capital.
In the Kosciuszko National Park, a carrying capacity framework is being developed to support the draft master plan. The framework helps determine the level of development that can occur based on specific indicators, such as the capacity of services and the environment to accommodate the proposed number of people who can visit an area.
An amendment to the Kosciuszko National Park Plan of Management is required as some of the proposals within the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct draft master plan do not align.
As part of an amended, resorts will see increased bed numbers allocated and investment in attractions, some of which are already in progress.
While there is debate over the increased beds in the national park, people must also consider Perisher have had 800 beds available for decades. No one has developed those beds yet.
In particular the Perisher Valley lease arrangements need to be fast tracked. We are led to believe there is ongoing discussion happening now to find the best outcome. No beds or any village will happen until this head lease is finalised.
Investors still need to weigh up there return on investment, and it would appear no one has seen that in the past 30 years at Perisher to build any new accommodation. We will never know if development was restricted by an unfair lease arrangement and complicated process or whether the NSW planning department just dropped the ball.
Bed Increases
Thredbo increase from 4820 to 6444 beds.
Perisher Range increase from 4952 s to 6386 beds.
Charlotte Pass increase from 611 to 845 beds.
Selwyn Snow Resort only have staff beds.
All future developments must be environmentally sustainable and meet ISO14001 standards. The development approval processes will be streamlined which is a key trait of any Special Activation Precinct to encourage private investment by reducing red and green tape.
Submissions So Far
The NSW Government has provided a submission snapshot up until end of July.
The NSW Government has provided a submission snapshot up until end of July.
67 formal submissions have been submitted
There have been 1678 visits to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s Social Pinpoint interactive map including 718 unique visits
There have been 584 responses from 124 stakeholders on the interactive map
The most popular pins include Leesville, Town Centre, Mountain Bike and Adventure Park, Perisher Village and Town Centre Growth
Survey – 116 responses to the online survey
According to the feedback received so far from the survey, the top three most important concepts in planning for the future of the Snowy region include:
1. Better tourist connectivity around Jindabyne
2. Tourist attractions to promote a four-season economy
3. Variety of community facilities for all ages
6486 people have viewed the details of the master plan