Western Australian Government designates Tawarri Hot Springs a significant tourism project

Despite the City of Nedlands rejecting the development proposal for the Tawarri Hot Springs tourism project, Western Australian Lands Minister John Carey has today announced the State Government would proceed with plans to make land available for the proposed project.

The proposal would see a day spa and wellness retreat on the Swan River foreshore in Dalkeith, as well as other facilities such as a new restaurant and café and has the potential to provide enormous economic and tourism benefits for Western Australia and the surrounding local community.

Minister Carey notes "the State Government is committed to the Tawarri Hot Springs project. It is a State-significant tourism project that has the potential to deliver enormous economic and job benefits, and would also provide a financial boost to the surrounding community.

"A lot of work has been undertaken to get the project to this point, and this includes a parliamentary process undertaken in 2020, in which both houses of Parliament provided approval for part of the Class 'A' Reserve on the Dalkeith foreshore to be excised for the development.

"The City of Nedlands' recent decision to pull their support for the project was disappointing, but the State intends to proceed with its plans to excise the relevant land, and has provided the necessary documentation to Landgate for that to be facilitated.

"Once the land has been excised, this will allow further negotiations and approvals to proceed between the State and the proponents.

"I have written to the City of Nedlands to advise them of the State's decision, and the door remains open if they wish to reconsider their position on the project."

The proposed development site would take up around 2.5% of the Class 'A' Reserve area on the foreshore.

The granting of any lease will still however be subject to negotiations and agreement by the State.

The development would support jobs during its construction, generate employment opportunities once operational and it is estimated it will attract in excess of 100,000 visitors annually.

Redevelopment of the area was first proposed by the City of Nedlands in 2016, with Tawarri Hot Springs Pty Ltd subsequently identified as the preferred proponent by the council.

The State has been attempting to negotiate the terms of a commercial lease with the City since early 2019 and has made a number of concessions to facilitate an agreement.

Despite the many years of negotiations and the City's administration recommending council approve the lease agreement, the development was rejected at a Special Council Meeting last month.

Image: Artist impression Tawarri Hot Springs Artist impression. Credit: Plus Architecture