Christian group Teen Challenge has applied to build a women and children’s rehabilitation centre at the site of the old Meander Primary School.
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Teen Challenge has submitted a development application for the site that was advertised on Saturday.
A lease between Meander Valley Council and Teen Challenge has already been agreed.
The block sits at 137 Main Road, Meander.
“Home of Hope will be a 12-18 month residential AOD rehabilitation program that provides women with children, pregnant women and single women suffering from (addictions) and life controlling issues, access to a safe, stable environment,” the proposal reads.
“Minimal visitation from external public members including family members of students will occur.”
The application says the program will:
- Cater for up to 12 students and their children at any one time.
- Include two staff and two managers/coordinators who will reside on-site and three additional staff who will reside off-site.
- Operate 24 hours a day, seven days per week, with the potential for closing two weeks over Christmas and one week at Easter.
- Partner with Deloraine Medical Centre.
The ages of the children allowed to live on-site will be determined by executive director Tanya Cavanagh, “but as a general guide: girls – up to the age of 12 and boys – up to 8-9 years” will be allowed to stay.
On Saturday, Ms Cavanagh said Meander was the perfect location for the facility.
“After nearly two years of consultation and working with a majority of the community, I would answer that ‘yes’ the facility is perfect, however the community is what makes us 100 per cent certain this is the right place,” she said.
“For women that have been in the depths of addiction and the darkness, fear, shame and worthlessness that lifestyle burdens them with… they have made a choice to break free from that lifestyle.”
On Saturday, Ms Cavanagh said the old school would not be redesigned under the proposal.
It will receive a paint job in the same colour.
Teen Challenge’s website says the group looks to “meet the needs of the whole person to help them to be physically well, socially adjusted, mentally sound, emotionally balanced and spiritually alive.”
The school shut its doors in 2014 after the community voiced interest in closing the facility, Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said.
The public will be able to make submissions on the development application until February 20.
Questions about development application can be asked of Meander Valley Council’s planning department on 6393 5320.
