Wollongong’s legal brothel owners claim an explosion of unlicensed sex providers using massage parlours and private homes poses a serious threat to their businesses and the health of working girls.
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The owner of one licensed sex-service premises said legal brothels couldn’t compete with prohibited operators who didn’t have to pay licence fees or abide by safe sex practices.
‘‘We’re finding it really tough, not only do they take clients but they don’t have to pay health department or council fees,’’ she said.
‘‘These places are booming and we can’t compete with the illegals, it’s cost me more than $50,000 to stay legal.’’
Brothels with approved development applications are inspected yearly by councils and NSW Health with owners liable for providing protection and sexual health check-ups for their employees.
The Wollongong brothel owner warned that the closure of council-approved brothels would likely lead to a rise of unregulated black market sex services.
‘‘Everything will be pushed underground with no checks,’’ she said.
‘‘We’re already hearing things from clients about girls being raped and doing stuff they’re not comfortable with; these places won’t call the police because they’re not meant to be there.’’
Longstanding licensed brothel site 108 Swan Street, now inhabited by Blue Angels, failed to sell after being on the market for three months, with the owners opting to lease the establishment at an asking price of $1300 per week.
Wollongong’s oldest approved brothel and well-known red light landmark 29 Kenny Street, has padlocked its doors with signs on the door saying the premises were closed for renovations but no reopening date has been announced.
In an earlier investigation the Mercury revealed nine unlicensed massage parlours advertising massages with ‘‘happy endings’’ available for a mere $20 extra.
Legal brothels are also facing competition from a growing number of private workers, operating from personal phones and private residences.
In the past week individual advertisements from 17 separate private workers have appeared in the adult section of the Mercury, promising ‘‘ sexual pleasure,’’ and ‘‘body rub plus extra’’.
Under NSW law, any business offering a sex service including erotic massage is classified as a brothel which requires DA approval from councils.
Wollongong City Council confirmed no sex work is permitted in residential premises under council policy.
The council investigated a unit in 2011 after receiving complaints of a suspected sex service operating out of a Wollongong apartment block.
The unit owner told investigators an ‘‘adult massage service’’ was being undertaken between 10am and 6pm.
The council found the activities to be legal because it found ‘‘no evidence of full service activities which would require consent’’.
Wollongong City Council confirmed it investigated numerous premises after the Mercury’s November investigations but no penalties or closure notices were issued.
The council’s acting director of planning and environment Mark Riordan said there were obstacles to council’s ability to investigate unauthorised sex providers.
‘‘When conducting its investigations council has to ensure that there is evidence that can be used in the courts if it is to pursue legal action against a business that might be operating illegally,’’ he said.
Meanwhile legal brothel owners remain frustrated at the lack of closures, while continuing to pay council inspection fees of up to $400.
‘‘What does it take to close these places down?’’ said one owner.
