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The Australian Workers' Union (AWU) has called on the Victorian government to scrap its plans to lease out two popular snow resorts.
Mount Baw Baw and Lake Mountain snow resorts in Victoria's north-east are once again on the market — just two years after the state took back control of operations under Alpine Resorts Victoria.
The Mount Baw Baw and Lake Mountain alpine resorts are the two closest to Melbourne. (ABC News)
AWU organiser James Newbold said the announcement had left resort workers feeling uncertain about their futures.
"Workers are really scared about the lack of investment," Mr Newbold said.
"Sometimes these private companies come in with the idea that they can cut their way into profitability … that's already been tried here."
The proposal to lease out the mountains comes as the government attempts to rein in its spending.
At the time of the state's re-acquisition, the resorts were operating at a collective loss of $8 million a year.
While the deficit has since been reduced to $6 million a year, last week Alpine Resorts Victoria chief executive Amber Gardner told the ABC the state was seeking a private operator who could reinvigorate the business model.
"We want great ideas to really innovate the offering in those resorts, but they still have to be delivered within a sustainable framework," Ms Gardner said.
Questionable timing
The AWU has also raised questions about the timing of the state government's decision, which coincides with a new employee enterprise agreement.
The government wants a private operator to take over the lease at Mount Baw Baw. (Supplied: Mount Baw Baw resort)
The agreement, made with Alpine Resorts Victoria, sets new wages and working conditions for public servants across all Victorian resorts.
"Private operators are put on notice that AWU members will defend their local communities' interests, as well as their hard-won wages and conditions, in the event a private operator attempts to put profits before people" Mr Newbold said.
Meanwhile, Mr Newbold said the expression of interest campaign had been announced distastefully and was void of any prior consultation with impacted stakeholders.
"Absolutely nothing has been explained to AWU," he said.
"It's quite unusual … in any other public sector agency we usually expect some heads up."
Challenging conditions
Alpine Resorts Victoria is seeking an operator that would be able to grow the offerings of the resorts amid challenging weather conditions.
All six ski resorts closed early this winter, including Mount Buller on September 1, the earliest end to a season since 1982.
Mount Baw Baw and other resorts closed earlier than usual this year. (Supplied: Mount Baw Baw resort)
"It's about investing in more snowmaking, which is something that underpins all of our resorts, to add to the consistency and continuity of the season," Ms Gardner said.
"But also, how they might be able to introduce new ways to really harvest and sustain snow for longer … and look at new activities that both do and don't rely on snow."
Mr Newbold said it was disappointing to see the state government give up on the mountains and was pessimistic about the prospect of securing a leaseholder.
"Members really thought that things were heading in a positive direction until earlier this year when some redundancies were made," he said.
"Now they're a really bare bones operation.
"I'd be actually surprised if there are any takers."