At its June meeting the Meander Valley Council passed a motion which offered the Meander Primary School site to global Christian organisation Teen Challenge Tasmania. 

During the July meeting, a motion to reverse the decision was also voted down. 

The organisation has since been undergoing lease negotiations and arranging permit applications to establish the Home of Hope, Women and Children's rehabilitation centre. 

Meander resident Bodhi McSweeny was at the community gathering, and said many were “horrified by the failure of council to do their duty.” 

"People are concerned that no risk assessment or impact on property values has been undertaken and have been given scant or no response from the council when questions [were] asked," she said.

Meander Valley mayor Craig Perkins said he acknowledged that some residents had concerns, and he was sure all councillors had taken those concerns into consideration. 

“It’s been a long process and council has now considered that matter twice and has made a decision on it, my hope is that we now move forward and allow Teen Challenge to get on with it,” he said.

Teen Challenge Tasmania executive director Tanya Cavanagh said there had been almost two years of discussion, public meetings, resident surveys and consultation with the community.

She said a ‘meet your neighbour’ evening was held on July 9 which was “overwhelmingly positive.”

“We are very much looking forward to working with the Meander community that as a majority are supporting us to provide hope to hurting Tasmanian mums and kids,” she said. 

“All staff will be trained, a key staff member has 28 years of experience and all will meet federal and state legislative requirements.

“Services offered will include GP's, clinical psychologists and clinical psychiatrists.”