Frequently Asked Questions Mount Buffalo Chalet 160318
Frequently Asked Questions Mount Buffalo Chalet 160318
Frequently Asked Questions Mount Buffalo Chalet 160318
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.