A proposed brothel in Wollongong will not adversely affect a nearby church, martial arts studio and family services premises, the council has said.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Lighthouse Church, on nearby Gladstone Ave, and Catholic Care in Auburn St both raised concerns over the potential location of the brothel - 24 Auburn St - during initial exhibition of the plans in December last year.
Both claimed the proposal contravened planning rules that required sex-service premises to be more than 150m from a community facility or place of public worship. They also said their clientele included children, who should not be exposed to such a development.
However, a Wollongong council report on the plan, to be presented to the Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel for review next week, said neither the Catholic Care building nor the martial arts studio had a direct line of sight to the brothel and the Lighthouse Church premises was on the other side of the railway line.
The report further noted that the brothel would be set up and managed in a discreet manner.
‘‘There are no features of the building which will make its use obvious to the average passerby,’’ the report said.
Wollongong council has recommended the proposal be approved subject to 61 planning, building and operating conditions, including a two-year time limit on the consent, standard for all brothel approvals.
Under the condition, the council will re-evaluate the proposal after 24 months and determine whether to allow a further 12-month approval.
Documents lodged with the DA last year said the brothel will be limited to five sex workers at one time and operate daily between 10am and 6am.
The panel will consider the proposal next Tuesday.
Residents who wish to address the panel must register on the council’s website.