Tawarri site cleared for $25m spa project

The state's peak planning body has approved a $25 million Tawarri Hot Springs project, more than a year after the state government overruled City of Nedlands’ control of the Dalkeith land.

The Western Australian Planning Commission has approved the demolition of the existing Tawarri centre on 120 Esplanade to be redeveloped into a day spa facility, during a meeting today.

The proposed $25 million redevelopment is being spearheaded by Matagarup Zip + Climb director Kathryn Gunn and Claremont Hotel operator Barry Jones, of FJM Property.

Town planner Urbis, on behalf of the applicants, lodged the redevelopment plan with the state government's State Development Assessment Unit.

It comprises the development of a day spa, a restaurant or cafe, and public realm and landscape works.

The Dalkeith site was initially classified Class A reserve, vested to the City of Nedlands for care and control.

In March 2022, Nedlands councillors refused to enter into a major land transaction for the land which included a 21-year lease with the state of WA, and a sublease to Tawarri Hot Springs Pty Ltd.

However, Lands Minister John Carey then announced the state government would still continue with the Tawarri Hot Springs Project by having the site excised from Class A reserve.

Class A has the greatest degree of protection and the classification is used to protect areas of high conservation or community value, according to the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website.

Care, control and management of the Tawarri site was transferred to the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage in April last year.

A render of the $25 million redevelopment of Tawarri in Dalkeith. Image: Plus Architecture

SDAU planning director Paola Di Perna said the site had been identified for redevelopment, since the city started an Expression of Interest process for the site in 2016.

The city had since done a 180-turn after a change of council members, including mayor Fiona Argyle who presented against the proposal at the JDAP meeting.

“In 2023, does 5,553 square metres of concrete in a flood zone on a former [Class A] reserve warrant approval?,” she said.

“Following a huge public rally, knockbacks by City of Nedlands on strong fiscal, environmental data, the proponent had almost six years to amend their plan.

“Today, the SDAU is faced with approving 26 sized tennis courts of concrete, 20 or more spa baths, possible road upgrades, parking for hundreds of parks and unlimited unrestricted access, drilling rights to our nation's declining water reserve.

“I know everyone is saying yes, but this is a no.”

Urbis director Tim Dawkins said it was disappointing Nedlands had changed its stance.

“The whole process was borne out of their desire to activate the site,” he said.

The applicants engaged Plus Architecture to design the new Tawarri facility, which will cater for up to 220 guests and up to 500 daily.

“With the recent global rise in wellness culture, designing ‘just a pool’ is no longer enough – considering the entire experience of the user is central to creating memorable spa experiences,” Plus Architecture Perth director Patric Przeradzki said.

“We have focused on a series of design contrasts in this project such as hot and cold, dark and light, indoor and outdoor.

“These encourage a sense of curiosity as guests explore the different pavilions and routes they can take across the site.”

A render of the $25 million redevelopment of Tawarri in Dalkeith. Image: Plus Architecture

Despite Mr Carey labelling the Tawarri redevelopment as a “state significant tourism project” last year, Mr Dawkins said the updated facility was not aimed to attract international tourists.

"This is for all people of Perth," Mr Dawkins said at the meeting.

"There'll be a fee to entry, suitable to any aquatic centre in Perth. There will be no requirement for membership, no private [areas]."

The proposed Tawarri project is set to be WA's biggest spa facility and the first of its kind in the state, according to the project team.

“While we expect to attract visitors from interstate and overseas, the Tawarri Hot Springs has been designed for and by the people of Western Australia and Dalkeith – using local materials and stories to deliver a peaceful and sustainable wellness destination for the suburb we’re proud to call home,” Ms Gunn said.

“There’s nothing like it in WA which is why we are so excited to be working with our community to deliver the project."

The Tawarri Hot Springs site was historically known as Dalkeith Hot Pool.