Great Ocean Road camp and accommodation provider Kangaroobie is looking to expand its operation.
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The camp, based on a large farm in Princetown above the Gellibrand River, currently caters for groups of up to 175 and plays host to all kinds of groups including school kids and weddings.
Owner and operator Matt Bowker has submitted a planning permit to Corangamite Shire Council seeking to bump that number up to 195.
"We've got an old building here that we've used for storage in the past, but we've got increased demand and need more beds basically," he said.
"At the moment we can accommodate 175 but we're looking to put that up by another 20 and take on another full-time staff member.
"The building already exists but we would have to put on a shower and toilet block and change the use of the building."
Mr Bowker and his team host 65 schools and around 10 weddings a year, as well as a range of church and family groups all year round.
He also runs a booming accommodation business at the Cape Otway Lighthouse.
Mr Bowker has been a vocal opponent of a new eco-resort proposed for the same wetlands and river system Kangaroobie uses to run recreational activities.
Mr Bowker insists that while he has a commercial interest in the area, there was no commercial conflict between Kangaroobie and resort developer Montarosa Pty Ltd.
"We have completely different clientele - we're firmly entrenched in school-based activities and Montarosa are doing a high-end hotel-style build, it's a completely different market," he said.
"There's no conflict there at all, I have no concerns about any of the activities that he wishes to run on the river, I just think the building is inappropriate for the wetlands.
"Everything we do is low level and fits in with the environment. In fact, most people don't know Kangaroobie exists because it's set back into the environment.
"The resort won't impact on us at all."
The Kangaroobie upgrades are expected to cost $35,000 and once completed will increase working hours for existing staff members.
READ MORE: $9M development divides community
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