High and dry: Luxury health retreat in strife over magnesium spa

A health and wellness centre in South Melbourne could be forced to demolish an outdoor pool and gym that were installed without a planning permit or the approval of the owner and body corporate manager.

Remedy Grounds, which offers a range of luxury health treatments including infrared saunas and gravity floats, built the “magnesium spa” on a former carpark behind its premises on York Street.

The outdoor magnesium spa at Remedy Grounds in South Melbourne that may now be demolished.Credit: Facebook

Gym equipment and boxing bags were also placed in the makeshift outdoor space, along with tropical plants and furniture.

The operators of Remedy Grounds claimed on its website that the pool could “unlock a world of serenity and wellness” for patrons who pay a $79 weekly fee for premium membership.

However, the unauthorised spa and gym area rankled co-tenants because it placed further strain on limited carparking in the area and led to noise complaints from neighbouring apartment owners.

“You can’t just put up a fence and build stuff and think no one is going to notice. It’s an absolute joke,” said a co-tenant of the site opposite South Melbourne Market.

The magnesium spa that was built without a permit in South Melbourne.Credit: Facebook

Remedy Grounds appears to have responded to concerns from local businesses and tenants by draining the spa and relocating exercise equipment and plants. Management also posted a message on the company’s Facebook page.

“Our outdoor area is now closed for renovations until further notice. We are opening up the outside area when it is safe and not under construction for extra car park space for our members,” the statement reads.

Port Phillip Council Mayor Heather Cunsolo confirmed that a planning permit should have been obtained to build the pool under the council’s planning scheme.

“Council officers will contact the operator to let them know they must submit a planning permit application if they wish to retain the pool,” she said

“The application will then be assessed to see if the pool meets the required standards for it to remain.”

A spokeswoman for Remedy Grounds declined to comment when contacted by The Age.

However, a spokesman for Strata Management Victoria, which manages the property on behalf of the owners said it had taken all steps under the Owners Corporation Act to have the situation resolved.

“Strata Management Victoria will work closely with the owners’ corporation and Port Phillip Council to try and resolve this matter to the satisfaction of the owners’ corporation,” the spokesman said.

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