Council is seeking community feedback on a proposal for a commercial lease over portions of land and water at Patawalonga Lake for a floating wellness pavilion.

The proposed facility will include a floating platform with sauna, plunge pool, shower, and changing facilities, storage and space for quiet wellbeing activities within the Patawalonga Lake and Surrounds precinct. The proposal includes an approximately 100-square-metre floating platform and associated shore connection infrastructure.

Council is consulting on whether it should grant a ground lease to enable the proposed facility to be installed and operated in this location. The proposed lease comprises an initial five-year term, with two further five-year rights of renewal, providing a potential total tenure of 15 years.

This consultation is an opportunity for the community to review the proposal and provide feedback.

No decision has been made to grant the lease. Community feedback will be considered alongside legal, environmental, commercial and operational considerations before Council makes a decision.

Council is also consulting separately on the draft Patawalonga Lake and Surrounds Community Land Management Plan (CLMP). The CLMP consultation concerns the broader future management and permitted uses of the area, while this consultation relates specifically to the proposed floating wellness pavilion lease.

The proposed lease comprises an initial term of five years, with two further options to renew for five years each, providing a potential total lease period of 15 years. Under the Local Government Act 1999, proposed leases over community land exceeding five years are subject to statutory community consultation requirements. Accordingly, Council is undertaking community engagement to provide the community with an opportunity to consider and provide feedback on the proposal before Council makes a final decision on whether to grant the lease.

The proposed tenant is YU Collective Pty Ltd (ABN 47 692 201 693).

The proposal is for a floating wellness pavilion within the Patawalonga Lake & Surrounds precinct. The pavilion would include a sauna pool, plunge-bathing facilities, yoga and meditation spaces, ancillary shower and change facilities, storage, and the plant and equipment required to support its operation.

The proposed lease includes an initial five-year term with two additional five-year renewal options, providing a potential total lease period of 15 years.

Council is considering an initial lease period of five years, with two further options to renew for five years each, providing a potential total lease term of 15 years. The final term and any extension options will be determined through Council’s decision-making and lease negotiation processes.

The proponent would be responsible for all costs associated with the construction, installation, operation, remediation of any damage, and maintenance of the pavilion. This includes insurance, safety management, cleaning, waste management and the removal of the pavilion at the conclusion of the lease term, subject to final lease conditions and approvals.

Yes. Rent will be based on the full commercial market value, to be determined by an independent valuer appointed by Council. Rent review arrangements will include CPI reviews and market reviews at renewal, as determined by Council.

No. Council must first consider all community feedback as well as Council’s legislative obligations, strategic plans and policies, operational requirements, accessibility and safety considerations, financial implications and the long-term management needs of the Patawalonga Lake & Surrounds.

The proposal is currently at a conceptual stage. Before any installation or operation can proceed, detailed design work, engineering assessments, statutory approvals, marine certifications, environmental assessments, insurance documentation, security arrangements and operating documentation would be required.

Council is undertaking two separate but related consultations.

The first seeks feedback on the draft Patawalonga Lake and Surrounds Community Land Management Plan. This is a broader statutory plan that would guide how the area may be managed and used in the future. This consultation is open until 3pm on Thursday 5 November 2026

The second seeks feedback on a specific proposal to grant a commercial lease to YU Collective Pty Ltd for a floating wellness pavilion.

The draft CLMP would allow Council to consider floating, water-based, wellness and commercial uses, but it would not approve this particular proposal. The proposed lease would remain subject to a separate Council decision, consideration of community feedback, final lease negotiations and all required statutory, technical and regulatory approvals.

If the draft CLMP is not adopted, the floating pavilion lease proposal cannot proceed because it is not consistent with the Community Land Management Plan currently applying to the land.