THE Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has now approved a planning permit for the Falls Creek Lakeside Development to expand a significant number of year-round activities by developing the existing facilities and enhancing the visitor experience.

The planning permit for this development, which was approved by the Minister for Planning in April 2024, was objected to by a group of resort stakeholders.

This resulted in the matter being heard before VCAT late last year with the original approval being upheld.

“We are pleased that VCAT has granted the planning permit for the Lakeside Development Project,“ said Melanie Kay, acting chief executive officer of Alpine Resorts Victoria,” she said.

“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with all parties to move the project forward and create a development that benefits the entire community.” she said.

ARV will now work through the planning permit requirements and continue to work collaboratively with stakeholders to seek the best outcomes for the resort and its stakeholders.

One of the groups objecting to the development was the Cross Country Skiing Association Victoria (XCSAV), concerned that winter roads would be cleared of snow to assist in the development, causing this year's events to be cancelled.

Sandra Paul, president of the XCSAV said while the result was not the outcome hoped for, it was clear that they had a fair hearing and their concerns were heard.

"Having attended the entire VCAT process, I felt due consideration to our objections was given, even those that were outside the direct scope of the planning scheme," Ms Paul said.

"Ultimately, VCAT accepted ARV's interpretation of the planning scheme, determining that ARV had established a net community benefit from the proposal because it will be used in summer and extra visitors will access the site in winter by car.

"This was despite provisions of the planning scheme which in our view were designed to protect skiing at Falls Creek: the thing that only Falls Creek and a select number of other places can offer.

"In addition, many of our concerns were dismissed by ARV saying that it is the public land manager and can be trusted to address those concerns.

"VCAT did not share our distrust of ARV.

"However, VCAT directly considered the impact on cross-country skiing; this is something we can take solace in.

"We must now accept the decision and shift our focus toward moving forward with renewed determination.

"I am confident that both the Falls Creek management and the ARV board fully understand the immense value that cross-country skiing, along with the Kangaroo Hoppet, brings to the resort and the broader community.

"Personally, my focus now is to ensure that cross-country skiing at Falls Creek remains internationally recognised, and that the Kangaroo Hoppet continues to evolve into the best race it can be.

"I look forward to collaborating closely with the Falls Creek team to ensure that cross-country skiing remains a key pillar of Falls Creek’s offerings, while also advocating for the continued growth of both the sport and the event."

The Lakeside Precinct development has been part of the vision for the Falls Creek resort and in the pipeline for many years.

The Falls Creek Masterplan, developed in 2016, lists the Lakeside Development precinct as a key development node and the Victorian Alpine Resort Visitor Economy Development Plan has identified this precinct as a priority transformational project.

AVR hopes the developments will drive further demand for Alpine experiences, with a demonstrated Victorian market size of 1 million potential visitors for the snow season alone over the next two years.

Other effects include the growth of the regional Victorian visitor economy at year-round venues and accommodation providers from interstate and international visitors, a climate change adaptation through sustainable investments and an upgrade of facilities that will be more centrally located to the 60km+ network of trails, to provide reduced walking time during low snow periods.

VCAT's decision can be viewed and downloaded by visiting: https://austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/vic/VCAT/2025/10.html.