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THE ALPINE
BRIGHT - POREPUNKAH - MT BEAUTY - TAWONGA - TAWONGA SOUTH Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Phone: (03) 5752 1058
CHAMBER READY FOR BUSINESS
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WRITERS FESTIVAL A HIT
$1.50 (inc.GST)
www.alpineobserver.com.au
NEW COACHES LOCKED IN
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Sport
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BY BRODIE EVERIST beverist@ nemedia.com.au
MYSTIC Park’s new membership model has been welcomed by community leaders, but some have flagged future adjustments may be necessary to ensure the ongoing viability of the park. Peter Berlowitz, president of the Alpine Cycling Club (ACC), said the model will need to be in place for around 12 months to collect usage data and see if the membership model provides a sustainable amount of income. According to Mr Berlowitz, until now park management hasn’t collected usage data, meaning it is difficult to determine how much to charge for membership. “Once we know the numbers, we can do some better modelling,” he said. “This is the first step, not the final solution.” In an email sent to its members the ACC strongly encouraged its members to take out a Mystic Park membership in order to support the long-term viability of the park. “We understand that, after years of free access, paying to ride your local trails may be difficult for some club members to
PAY TO PLAY: Last week Mystic Park operator Alpine Community Plantation (ACP) announced a membership model would be launched on October 10. PHOTO: JP Ronco accept,” the email read. “Unfortunately, the situation is very clear - if riders do not support Mystic Park financially now, it will not survive into the future.” The ACC has secured discount Mystic Park memberships for its
members and benefits for those who assist in trail maintenance. President of the Bright Chamber of Commerce Scott Brandon said the chamber was supportive of the model as it helps ensure the park’s longevity, but he
also indicated it was subject to change as more data becomes available. “It’s yet to be shown whether it will actually work, whether it will deliver what it needs to, but we need to try these things,” he said. “It doesn’t mean it can’t
change down the track.” Both Mr Berlowitz and Mr Brandon agreed that the cost of the membership to ensure the maintenance of the park is good value for mountain bikers. “Your regular visitor is under $100 a year, which is
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23 cents a day,” Mr Brandon said. People are spending thousands of dollars on their bikes so a small fee to contribute to the ongoing viability of it is pretty insignificant.” ■ Further story page 2
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