Future of proposed Pemberton floating sauna in council’s hands with public consultation now closed

The future of the proposed Pemberton floating sauna is now in the hands of Shire of Manjimup-Bridgetown councillors with public consultation closed.

The unique proposal for the southern foreshore of the Pemberton Swimming Pool came to the shire on April 16, with the public invited to comment.

The floating sauna proposal generated a significant number of submissions coming during public consultation.

The man behind the proposal, Nigel Reeves, said the process had been a “journey” with a mix of positive and negative responses.

However, he said the proposed sauna would only be an upside for the Pemberton community.

Mr Reeves was the first person to bring a woodfired floating sauna to Australia, establishing the country’s first in north-east Tasmania in 2021.

He said that had now taken on it’s own identity as an “iconic” must-do Tasmanian experience.

Mr Reeves said the original Tasmania site shared plenty of similarities with Pemberton and so the sauna experience would suit the town well.

Some people shared concerns about the environmental and heritage impacts the project could have on the Pemberton pool, though Mr Reeves said those were unfounded.

“I’m not digging into the bank — it’s like a boat — you can pull it out of the water, there’s no impact on heritage or anything at the end of the trial,” he said.

“I’ve done everything I can to comply with the planning scheme and the planning regulations. There’s quite a few other reports and plans, and I believe that we’ve met all of the planning requirements.”

Despite his optimism, some took to social media to air their frustrations with the project.

One Pemberton resident, Mary Nixon, said the project was yet another way of “commercialising” Pemberton’s natural wonders, stating it is part of a disturbing trend across the South West.

“Our natural commons, our shared spaces, are being quietly repackaged as ‘assets’ and handed over to private enterprise,” she said.

“What was once local is being sold as boutique.”

Regardless of opposition or support the project now sits with the councillors of the shire.

Shire president Donelle Buegge said submissions from State government agencies remain open until June 3, however, and their submissions along with the public’s would be presented to the council.

“A significant number of submissions were received, both in support of and opposition to the proposal,” she said.

“Shire officers are now undertaking a thorough review of all feedback received.

“Subject to the availability of sufficient information to respond to submissions, the application will be presented to council for consideration at the earliest possible council meeting.”