Thursday, 20 November 2025

 Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (12:57): My question is for the Minister for Environment. Will the minister guarantee that ski patrols at Mount Stirling alpine resort will not be cut? In early October two women sadly died on a freezing Victorian mountain, and just last week two separate hikers were caught in blizzards and had to be rescued by police. These incidents are a reminder of how dangerous mountain weather can be, changing in an instant from blue skies to a deathtrap. They are also a reminder about why ski patrols are so important for rescuing those who find themselves in trouble. But the ski patrol at Mount Stirling is now in danger of being cut to save money after Alpine Resorts Victoria revealed that Mount Stirling resort has been operating in financial deficits for several years. Cutting ski patrols would seriously jeopardise public safety on the mountain and deter the many Victorian school groups who visit Mount Stirling to experience the snow. I urge the minister to guarantee future funding for ski patrol volunteers at Mount Stirling.