The lessee of a former Wollongong church site received approval this week to operate as a gay men's cruise club.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Men's Social Club on Victoria St has been given Wollongong City Council consent to operate as a "sex on premises establishment", but does not allow for the club to provide paid sex services.
Four letters were lodged with the council objecting to the development application, including a petition of 39 signatures from the Seventh Day Adventist Church, which is located on the same street about one block west.
The church members said the club was "an inappropriate facility as the activity to take place on the site could have a detrimental effect upon children and young people in the vicinity".
Residents also believed the location of the club in the former Gateway City Church building was inappropriate, would cause parking congestion in the area and that the type of business would attract "violent crime, bashings, drug related crimes, prostitution and rape..."
But the operator, Merrylands based Men's Club Pty Ltd, owned by Allan Denis, said that typical patrons of this style of club "do not identify as 'gay', and as such prefer discretion ... it is highly unlikely that any patrons would loiter outside the premises ... the premises would house an entirely internal and discreet activity".
The club originally came to the attention of the council early last year because it was operating without development consent. After inspections by Wollongong Police and the Fire Brigade the lessee was told by the council to cease operating. An application was submitted to the council in June to use the premises as a "commercial health recreation and social centre".
David Underhill and Martin Anstee, the directors of Wollongong finance company PLC Money, part-own the building.