Council to consider future operation of Mystic Park

Mystic Park is currently managed by Alpine Community Plantations (ACP), a not-for-profit group with volunteer representatives from Council, Alpine Cycling Club, Hancock Victorian Plantations (HVP), North East Victoria Hang Gliding Club, and Bright and District Chamber of Commerce.   

The Park attracts around 63,000 visitors to the Alpine Shire each year, contributing more than  $27.1 million into the local economy.   

Council's Director Assets, and ACP Board Member, Alan Rees, said due to increasing visitation to the park, along with a growing number of user groups and events, a more contemporary operating model is now required to ensure maximum benefit to park users.  

"Management of Mystic Park has been volunteer led, with ACP managing trail maintenance, ongoing operations, licensing, event management and liability," he said.  

"The introduction of the membership model has enabled Mystic Park to remain viable over the last twelve months; however, in addition to financial security, we need to explore additional operating measures to enable a longer-term sustainable solution."   

At the Ordinary Meeting held on 28 November, Council will vote on whether to negotiate a licence agreement with HVP to oversee the operations and management of Mystic Park, and contract the operations of Mystic Park to a professional operator by way of an EOI process.   

Mr Rees said if Council supports the motion, ACP will continue to work with the community and key stakeholders during this transition period to ensure user priorities can be managed within the contractual arrangement with the new operator  

"If we go down this path, the current community interests, access and safety principles will remain a key focus of the new operating model," he said.  

The full report will be available in the November Ordinary Council Meeting Agenda, available on Council's website here as of 4pm on Thursday, 23 November 2023.