Meander Wilderness Experience proposes to use the Meander Valley Community Hall under a memorandum of understanding as a base for its tours. 

A development application, lodged with the Meander Valley Council, said the business would operate during the state’s peak tourism months from November to March. 

“The business will provide rafting, including river sledding in the immediate future, but may also expand into kayaking, walking and cycling organised tours throughout the Meander area,” the development application said.

“The premises are to allow customers to convene and store their personal equipment prior to embarking on an ecotourism tour.”

The business plans to offer full-day trips and up to four half day trips each day. Each tour would have a maximum of 10 customers. 

“The ratio of guides to customer [and] guests is one to five, therefore each trip will have maximum 12 people,” the application said. 

The business would start and finish from the hall, and utilise only a portion of the building, as well as the car parking area to the front. 

“The hall is to be used to gather all participants, guides and staff, take any payments and to fill out all necessary paperwork, fit all people with appropriate gear and equipment,” the application said.  

“Afternoon tea for each group will be provided at the end of their tour at the hall, and will include tea and scones and the like.”

It is expected that three full-time equivalent staff would be employed.

Within five years of the business operating, it is expected between six and seven staff would be employed. 

The business would operate up to seven days per week, including public holidays, from 8am to 8pm. 

No new signs, or building modifications would take place to allow for the business to operate from the Hall. 

When the business is open, an A-frame sign would be placed adjacent to the property for identification purposes. 

The development application is open for comment until Monday, July 30.

Anyone with questions about the development is asked to contact the council’s planning department on 6393 5320.