May 15, 2009 – A plan for an 880-bed village to be built in the Snowy Mountains in NSW has just been approved. The government-approved deal would allow Perisher Blu ski resort to develop the $112 million site.

Under the agreement, James Packer’s Consolidated Press Holdings (CPH) will turnover control of Perisher Blue’s car park, which is set to become a village which includes shops, accommodation, restaurants and bars. In exchange, the NSW government will allow CPH to consolidate the ski resorts 10 separate leases into a one 40-year lease with an option to extend for 20 years.

Graeme Anderson, president of the Ski Lodges Organisation of Perisher, Smiggins and Guthega, is expecting the increased visitors would bring in more than than $1 million a week in ski lift tickets alone.

Employment is another benefit that the area would get from this deal. The construction is expected to open up more than 1,300 jobs. Premier Nathan Rees estimates 400 full-time jobs to be created once the village is completed.

“It creates the right environment to support long-term investment, which will attract more tourists, create hundreds of jobs and inject more money into the local Snowy Mountains economy,” says Rees.”It will also lead to improved environmental management and contribute to the region’s reputation as a world class alpine resort destination.”
The concept plan for an 800-bed accommodation development was approved in 2006 and the government is now expected to begin the tendering process.

Source:
theage.com.au