South West’s new tourist attraction setting sail for 12-month trial with visitors encouraged to take plunge

The South West’s newest tourist attraction will be setting sail for a 12-month trial period, with visitors encouraged to take the plunge on a proposed floating sauna. The controversial Pemberton floating sauna could be hitting the water as soon as Christmas, with the Shire of Manjimup voting unanimously to support the venture at the historic Pemberton Swimming Pool. The man behind the proposal, Nigel Reeves, said he was relieved at the council’s support for the project, despite community opposition. Mr Reeves said there had been tremendous support from all levels of government around the proposal as well as from some members of the community, though he acknowledged several opposed the project. The shire received 81 submission during their public consultation period with 45 objecting to the proposal — 18 of which were proforma submissions — with 10 providing comments. There were 26 submissions supporting the plans, with Tourism WA among those supporting letters. The peak body said the project would be a strong “destination driver” for visitors as the first floating sauna experience in the State. “The sauna complements existing nature-based and adventure tourism experiences in and around Pemberton, encouraging longer stays and greater regional dispersal,” the letter said. The structure will float on top of the water, with sauna rooms for people to use and a small deck area for supporting it for people to plunge into the cold water of the pools. Letters objecting to the proposal cited concerns over the pool’s significant heritage and wider impacts to the community. One letter, from a tourism accommodation business owner, said they appreciated the intent to improve community facilities, but believed the sauna proposal would not be the best use of resources. They also raised concerns about the location. Another community member it was a “terrible idea” and the shire should instead look to retain a natural setting, making the area more family-friendly. “The Pemberton Pool is not just a body of water, it is a community-built multi-generational public asset that has offered free inclusive access for nearly a century,” the proforma submission said. “Turing part of this space over to a private operator for commercial tourism use — potentially for up to 50 years — represents a fundamental breach of public trust and shared legacy.” Shire president Donelle Buegge said she understood some of the community’s apprehension to the proposal, but ultimately backed the project. “It is historic, and people are very passionate when you’re talking about something they hold dear memories to. Seeing something change is not something that people are sometimes comfortable with,” she said. However, she said the sauna would be a major benefit to the community overall. “We’ve had substantial State Government funding put into that area, with the $8 million for the Arboretum and the mountain bike trail, this will just add on to that experience,” Ms Buegge said. “There are so many trails that are being promoted at the moment, and this will just give it that little bit extra. We’re hoping that people would like to come and warm up in a sauna and then plunge into the pool.”