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Proposed Alchemy Sauna above North Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club

Alchemy Sauna propose to construct a sauna and associated public space area on the ski shed roof of the existing North Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club (NCSLSC).

The Council approved the proposal at the Council Meeting on 25 August 2026. The Council's recommendation will now be provided to the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC), who are the determining authority for this development.

Development Details

 

Key Sauna design statements include:

  • The sauna will be single-storey with a low profile, maintaining the horizon line and minimising visual bulk.
  • The sauna is set on the northern boundary of the ski shed roof, preserving an expansive view corridor from the corner of Eric Street and other side of Marine Parade.
  • Only 33% of the roof area will be enclosed, ensuring public access and uninterrupted ocean views.
  • A set back from the western edge allows for access to the full extent of the western edge as well as preserving a north-west view corridors from adjoining uses.
  • Durable, coastal-appropriate materials are specified, including low-reflectivity finishes to prevent glare and timber screening will provide a natural material link to the Magic Apple and Longview developments that are adjacent.
  • A transparent, dynamic façade will create an active, inviting edge to the public space or public realm.
  • Construction will be demountable, allowing for future disassembly, adaptive reuse or recycling.
  • No visible plant or noisy services are proposed, preserving public amenity.
  • The facility will be naturally ventilated, reducing energy use, and will be universally accessible.

Includes:

  • High-quality fixed furniture to support passive recreation and informal gatherings.
  • Shade is proposed either via shade sail or umbrellas at fixed furniture. 
  • Movable furniture to allow the community to continue to occupy the ski shed roof in the same manner as they do today.
  • New screed and epoxy flooring with decorative patterning/artwork to improve drainage and ensure a safe, durable surface.
  • Low-level perimeter lighting to improve safety and legibility at night while remaining visually discreet.
  • Public water bottle filling station to enhance convenience and promote sustainable behaviour.
  • Operating hours: 5am to 9pm – daily
  • Patrons: The facility has been designed to accommodate up to 22 people per hour.
  • Staffing: One staff member present at all times during operations.
  • Expected Usage Rates: Alchemy Saunas currently operate two beach venues similar to this proposal, one at Port Beach (14-person capacity) and another at City Beach (27-person capacity). Based on actual occupancy rates and data collected across these venues, the key usage patterns are as follows:
    • Seasonal demand: Overall peak demand occurs from April through November, coinciding with the cooler months when beach use is much lower. This ensures the sauna use is complementary to traditional summer beach activity, rather than competing with it.
    • Daily peak demand: The busiest periods are early mornings (6am–8am) and late afternoons/evenings (4pm–7pm). These times fall outside the middle of the day, which is when beach visitation peaks during summer months.
    • Average occupancy: Port Beach records an average of 9 patrons per hour across all trading hours during a typical 7 day trading week, while City Beach records an average of 10 patrons per hour, reflecting steady but modest usage levels relative to beach capacity.
  • Modest, sympathetic signage is proposed at the entry frontage on Marine Parade and the western facade, consistent with Town guidelines.

Proposed Development Plans

Landscape Plans

The proposal aims to:
  • preserve key ocean view corridors from Eric Street, Marine Parade and adjoining public spaces
  • ensure the majority of the roof deck remains publicly accessible, with upgrades including improved surfacing and drainage, seating and furniture, lighting, and a public water bottle filling station
  • ensure these improvements are intended to benefit all users of the space, and not only sauna patrons.
From a broader perspective, the proposal provides a commercial opportunity that helps support the operations of the NCSLSC. The Town itself would receive some modest commercial benefit for the wider community. Council considered the possible commercial terms for the sauna should it be approved and lease amended on 28 April 2026. The ski shed and roof area is located on Crown land that is reserved for regional open space, currently leased by the Town to the NCSLSC to support its lifesaving and community activities. Under the proposal, the Club would remain the primary leassee. Any sauna operation would occur through a sub‑lease or licence arrangement between the Club and the operator, subject to Town approval and relevant State Government consents. Any variation to the existing lease would require formal approval, and would need to clearly define responsibilities for maintenance, safety, insurance and compliance. Council's position is that all costs, risks, and removal obligations must sit with the Club and/or operator, not with the community. Council would retain its role as land manager, with ongoing oversight to ensure any use remains consistent with the public interest and the land’s recreational purpose.

Background

Over recent years, Council has received community feedback about the informal use of the NCSLSC ski shed roof at 151 Marine Parade, Cottesloe (adjacent to Magic Apple). In June 2022, Council expressed a desire to see this space activated in a positive community manner and take proactive steps with the surf club in this regard The NCSLSC subsequently approached the Town about the possibility of using part of the ski shed roof for a sauna facility. At the OCM held on 22 April 2025, Council adopted a set of guiding principles for activation and development of the ski shed roof. These principles were established before any detailed proposal was considered to ensure that any proposal would be assessed against clear expectations relating to scale, siting, character and design quality, protection of ocean views, demountable construction, ongoing public access, and risk and cost arrangements.

The Guiding Principles are as follows: 

  1. Development is to be single storey, located on the northern boundary, limited to no more than 33% of the total site area, with an east-west orientation designed to preserve the existing ocean view corridor from the corner of Eric Street and Marine Parade.
  2. Any structures must be compatible with the character of the surrounding built form.
  3. All improvements at the conclusion of the lease term are to be removed at the proponent’s cost, and the site returned to its original condition.
  4. The proposal must include secure locker facilities.
  5. The Club and/or operator is to assume all risks and costs associated with the development and indemnify the Town against liabilities arising from installation and operation of the structure.

At the OCM held on 28 April 2026, Council considered proposed commercial terms for the lease of the ski shed roof and resolved that the decision remain open subject to the outcome of development approval and community consultation. It noted that the Town will consult the community on the proposal and will bring the outcome of consultation back to Council for its consideration in determining whether to approve the proposed changes to the existing lease of the site.

OCM 28 April 2026 Agenda

Proposal Approval

The Council endorsed the proposal at the Council Meeting on 25 August 2026. The Council's recommendation will now be provided to the WAPC for final approval. This decision was informed by the previously established Guiding Principles for this development, and the Town's lease agreement with NCSLSC, in conjunction with community consultation.

Town Officers consider the proposal consistent with Council’s Guiding Principles, as it is limited to the northern third of the rooftop, retains and improves the remaining public area, and preserves the view corridor. The proposal provides recreational and community benefits. While concerns regarding the loss of community gathering and public space are acknowledged, the Guiding Principles had anticipated and sought to address the impact. Parking, traffic and amenity impacts are factors, and Town Officers consider these impacts are manageable through planning and lease conditions, including an Operational Management Plan. The public realm should be managed to a high standard as the Town wishes to encourage the community to continue to use and enjoy an improved public realm. Having regard to the objectives and intent of the Town’s Beach Policy 2004, the proposal presents an opportunity to enhance the foreshore experience while maintaining public access and delivering public realm improvements. The temporary and reversible nature of the sauna provides a sound basis for Council to recommend conditional support to the WAPC.

OCM 25 August 2026 Agenda

Community Consultation

Community consultation was conducted between 29 May and 2 July 2026. Letters were sent to nearby businesses and landowners/occupiers advising of the consultation (including those to the eastern side of Hamersley and Gadsdon Streets and to Eileen Street). Signage was placed on site, and a drop in information session was held in June 2026, attended by Alchemy Sauna and Town staff. 

The proposal generated substantial interest, with 4626 page views made to the Town’s ‘Engage’ website. The Town received 316 submissions via email and through the survey on the website. All are listed in the ‘Schedule of Submissions’ shown on Attachment D. 

Overall, there was strong support expressed from approximately 72% of the submissions. In terms of locations of submitters, 136 were from Cottesloe residents, 66 from outside the Town and 114 submitters didn’t provide addresses. Of the 136 Cottesloe submitters, the majority, 92 were in support (68%), and, 44 (32%) were objecting. No submissions were received from local businesses. 

OCM 25 August 2026 Attachments