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Not-for-profit sauna plan for Swanbourne will seek state government approval after Nedlands town blockade

Not-for-profit sauna plan for Swanbourne will seek state government approval after Nedlands town blockade

A proposal to build a not-for-profit sauna on Swanbourne Beach has been blocked by the council – and the men behind it are now calling on the state government to intervene.

Any hope of approval through the usual channels in the city of Nedlands appears to have disappeared for Icarus Saunas co-owner Benjamin Leclezio, whose attempts to even get a hearing from city council or city staff have fallen on deaf ears .

“We’ve gotten a lot of excuses from the city, and the excuses change every time,” Leclezio said.

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The removable sauna for 15 people from Icarus Sauna.
camera iconThe removable sauna for 15 people from Icarus Sauna. Credit: Icarus Sauna

“I understand that you may have an objection to this. Alright. But not even considering it is really disappointing. . . “I’m not really sure what motivates that decision.”

This follows another chaotic public meeting in the town of Nedlands last week, which Mayor Fiona Argyle shut down before leaving the council chamber after refusing to listen to a delegation from the Icarus team.

The 15-person removable sauna is proposed for unused land just north of the Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club car park.

Co-owners Leclezio, Conrad Eyers and Leonardo Alampi Sottini also say they are willing to fund the sauna and filter the profits into improving Swanbourne by donating half to the town council and spending the rest on beautifying the surrounding area.

But the town of Nedlands has remained vigilant in its disinterest, revealing to PerthNow last month that sauna is not a permitted use for the area.

“The city believes the proposal is inconsistent with the parks and recreation designation for the area,” a spokesperson said.

A new not-for-profit sauna is planned for Swanbourne Beach. Pictured is the location next to Swanbourne Surf Life Saving Club.
camera iconA new not-for-profit sauna is planned for Swanbourne Beach. Pictured is the location next to Swanbourne Surf Life Saving Club. Credit: Justin Benson/Perth now

Leclezio said he did not understand that, given his reading of a council-led master plan that detailed plans to “activate” the area.

“It basically details what the council’s plan is for the whole Allen Park Reserve area, which is where the proposed sauna site is,” he said.

“And in the plan they use the word ‘activate,’ as if they have plans to activate a community center and create a community center for the area.

“So from what I read, (the sauna) was more or less in line with the goals of the master plan. . . So I find it strange.”

After a lengthy attempt to get the council to hear their proposal before officially submitting the plans, Leclezio said the Icarus team hoped the state government could intervene.

“We’re now working with an urban planning group to hopefully get to the state government,” he said.

“The land is technically owned by the State, but is under the jurisdiction or delegation of the council, so the State can intervene and override.”