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Chockstone Forum - General Discussion

General Climbing Discussion

Author
Buffalo development proposals

Andrew_M
2-Feb-2019
7:05:25 AM
So, I've done a few trips to Buffalo recently. Each time I've been blown away that we have this amazing granite playground in a comparatively undeveloped environment within weekend distance of Melbourne. This week I got sent links to the local council "vision" for the plateau (links below).

It's hard to work out how this would affect the Buffalo experience. Basically, and I haven't gone through it all yet because there is a lot of stuff, it feels like there's an eco-friendly smokescreen hiding a real objective of jamming in as much development on the plateau as they think they can get away with.

The two big things that are likely to affect the Buffalo experience for climbers are:

-Glass floored skywalk over the Gorge
-"Eco-cabins" or glamping at Lake Catani (not clear if this is instead of the current camping or in addition)

Other things include renos and extension of the chalet, "outdoor education centre" at Dingo Dell, Cresta Valley "alpine activity centre" and a transport hub at the turnoff to the chalet.

Anyway, how much of this is widely known about - and does anyone know if there has actually been any consultation with current park users (eg climbers and bushwalkers)? Any locals have knowledge or comments?

https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/files/Council_services/MDAG_Vision.pdf

https://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/716467/Gorge-visitor-area-factsheet.pdf.

And the full Price Waterhouse Coopers business case: https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/files/Council_meetings/_Mount_Buffalo_Business_Case_Assessment_-_Final_Report_incl_Appendices.pdf


johnpitcairn
2-Feb-2019
8:53:13 AM
PWC? Oh hell.
jacksonclimbs
2-Feb-2019
1:23:54 PM
This seems like a huge development... Via Ferrata also?

JamesMc
2-Feb-2019
3:47:51 PM
A few businesses in the Ovens Valley have been lobbying for this sort of nonsense for decades without success. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

E. Wells
2-Feb-2019
4:20:11 PM
Monkey wrench gang needs more than chorldless grinders. I say we get in early and establish a crisis command centre on the ninth pitch of Ozzymandias. A few big rabbits for a worthy cause when the walkway melts.

gordoste
5-Feb-2019
8:33:21 AM
This is pretty common knowledge for locals.

My instinct is that the skywalk concept will not get off the ground - there is just not enough traffic. But I haven't run the numbers.

If I recall correctly, the original proposal was to have a gondola come up the Buckland valley side. I think the idea is something along the lines of Katoomba - given that it's a similar travel time from Melbourne as what Katoomba is from Sydney, this could be feasible and if it's done properly, much of the park would be unaffected.


The good Dr
6-Feb-2019
7:39:02 AM
Various plans have come and gone. Most of this plan is more fantasy than reality.

It would be nice to see the Chalet back in use. As always the elephant in the room is power as there are no power lines up the mountain and never will be (one hopes). It would be great to see all systems run on renewables but the location has significant hurdles for that to be a reality given the restraints of current technology.

IdratherbeclimbingM9
6-Feb-2019
9:59:47 AM
On 5-Feb-2019 gordoste wrote:
>This is pretty common knowledge for locals.
>
>My instinct is that the skywalk concept will not get off the ground -
>there is just not enough traffic. But I haven't run the numbers.

I suspect that they don’t care about numbers other than to justify getting a contract to build the silliness.

>If I recall correctly, the original proposal was to have a gondola come
>up the Buckland valley side. I think the idea is something along the lines
>of Katoomba - given that it's a similar travel time from Melbourne as what
>Katoomba is from Sydney, this could be feasible and if it's done properly,
>much of the park would be unaffected.
>
The original concept of gondola was for the Gorge iirc, and later amended due the controversy it generated.

A skywalk is significantly cheaper than a gondola... & would certainly impact the most visited area of the Park.


@ The good Dr
>Various plans have come and gone. Most of this plan is more fantasy than reality.

... Shit silliness still happens, and for those in doubt of the fact, just ask president trump about fake news!
Heh, heh, heh.

@ Andrew_M
>Anyway, how much of this is widely known about - and does anyone know if there has actually been any consultation with current park users (eg climbers and bushwalkers)? Any locals have knowledge or comments?

Thanks for bringing it to our attention. When I have time I will cross-link this thread to previous similar.

There’s been no consultation that I’m aware of, though I have heard of some of these proposals on local radio.

The main thing that gives me heart (apart from the electricity elephant TgD refers too), is that serious proposals by sensible (includes locals) contenders who genuinely love the place and would like to see the Chalet renewed and any other development be in sympathy with environmental etc aspects of the Park, haven’t managed to take off, despite being costed appropriately etc. If they can’t get a start, then the fanciful contenders have less chance in my opinion, though we shouldn’t let apathy or a carefree attitude dull our vigilance!

There are 8 messages in this topic.

 

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