Flora, fauna and geological resources

The Resort is an integral part of a unique environment that contains a variety of rare fauna, flora and alpine communities.

• The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act
• Climatic Conditions
• Keep Winter Cool
• Environmental Guidelines

The rock and soil types at Mount Hotham are generally comprised of sedimentary rock and shallow organic loam. The exceptions are the small mounds of basalt and areas of basalt boulder scree scattered throughout the Resort area. This scree forms an important foundation of the Mountain Pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus) habitat.

Snow Gum woodlands, found sometimes in association with small areas of sub-alpine heathlands, mosslands and grasslands, are widely distributed throughout the Resort at elevations of between 1400m and 1700m. Herbfields, heathlands and grasslands are generally found on the most exposed areas of the Resort (peaks and ridge lines), with wet heathlands, mosslands (bogs) and sedgelands being usually located in drainage lines or wet depressions. Areas of snowpatch communities are also present where snow remains the longest. Communities of Podocarpus heathland, located near the summit of Mt Higginbotham, Mt Loch and Spargos Spur, form a significant element of the Mountain Pygmy-possum habitat.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 caters for the preservation of rare or endangered species through a process of listing flora and fauna which are in a demonstrable state of decline likely to lead to extinction, or which are significantly prone to future threats which are likely to result in extinction.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act

The Resort contains species that are listed as threatened on Schedule 2 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, including:

Fauna

• Mountain Pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus).
• Alpine She-oak Skink (Cyclodomorphus praealtus).
• Alpine Bog Skink (Pseudemoia cryodroma).

Flora

• Mountain Daisy (Brachyscome tenuiscapa).
• Wire-head Sedge (Carex cephalotes).
• Dwarf Sedge (Carex paupera).
• Silky Daisy (Celmisia sericophylla).
• Rock Tussock-grass (Poa saxicola).
• Fairy Bluebell (Wahlenbergia densifolia).

Communities

• Alpine Bog Community.
• Alpine Snowpatch Community.
• Herbland Community.
• Fen (Bog pool) Community.

Significant communities of flora and fauna

The Resort is part of a delicate and rare environmental system that requires protection. The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and the recently enacted Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 require that rare and endangered flora, fauna and communities are protected and managed. The habitat of the Mountain Pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus) and other listed species are key influences for the siting and construction of development within the Resort.

Climatic Conditions

The snowline for Mt Hotham is approximately 1400 metres. Average total annual precipitation at Mt Hotham, including both snowfall and rainfall, is 1494 mm. Snowfalls occur on an average of 75.4 days annually. The average maximum snow depth is 1500 mm at an elevation of 1845 metres. Snowfalls that create and maintain a persistent snow cover usually begin in mid June and continue intermittently until early September. South facing slopes are capable of retaining snow for an extended period.

Mt Hotham has a summer daily mean temperature of 11.1°C whilst in winter it is -1.0°C. The prevailing wind across the Bogong High Plains and Mt Hotham is from the north-west. South-easterly winds, often associated with fog and mist, are also quite common.

Keep Winter Cool

‘Keep Winter Cool’…what does it mean. Well, by simply reducing energy consumption, you help fight global warming, and therefore assist in the campaign to ‘Keep Winter Cool’.

Global warming is caused by a build up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the main contributor to greenhouse gases is carbon dioxide, and most carbon dioxide is produced by burning fossil fuels, such as oil and coal, in the generation of power.

So if we want our grandchildren to enjoy the snow and our unique alpine environment, all snowsports enthusiasts are encouraged to do everything they can to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the impact of global warming.

Here are 10 simple ways to help ‘Keep Winter Cool’:

1. Reduce energy used for transport
   Share a ride or take a bus to the snow and to work
2. Turn off lights and appliances when at home or on holiday
   It is best to turn them off at the powerpoint
3. Purchase energy efficient appliances
   Choose the highest energy-efficient star-rating and use compact fluorescent lights
4. Insulate your house or lodge
   And turn down the thermostat and use draught stoppers
5. Cut hot water consumption
   Wash clothes in cold water, fit water-efficient shower heads, and install a solar water heater
6. Eco-buy
   Purchase greenhouse friendly products from local sources
7. Support renewable energy sources
   Switch to Green Power with your electricity supplier
8. Plant a tree
   Trees take up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
9. Reduce, reuse and recycle
   Reducing waste reduces landfill and thus reduces production of the greenhouse gas methane
10. Lead change at your workplace or business
    Spread the word - cool global warming and keep winter cool

For more information or to find out other ways to help please visit www.keepwintercool.com.au

Environmental Guidelines

Resort Management has developed Environmental guidelines for persons undertaking any construction activities in the resort. The guidelines aim to assist in protecting native flora and fauna and water catchment quality by indicating best practice for materials storage and site access.

Download the Environmental Guidelines

Environmental Guidelines (134 KB)