Action on illegal brothels diverge
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday March 30, 2011
NEWCASTLE City Council has refused to take action to stop illegal brothels despite conceding they are operating, and despite prompt action by Lake Macquarie City Council against illegal brothels in its area.Legal brothel owner Kevin Cook, who paid a private investigator to receive sexual services at four premises - two in Newcastle, two in Lake Macquarie - for proof of the illegal operations, was angered by the differing council responses.While Lake Macquarie council hired a second private investigator and took immediate action last week when it confirmed two massage parlours were offering sexual services, Newcastle council told Mr Cook to contact police or take private legal action in the Land and Environment Court to stop the illegal brothels in his area."I'm the one who's done the right thing and established a legal brothel and now they're telling me I have to pay for a Land and Environment Court case to do their job," he said."I paid to get the proof that premises are offering sexual services illegally, but only one council has done anything about it. You have to wonder why Newcastle doesn't."A private investigator who visited four massage premises in Charlestown, Islington and Wickham between December and March reported being offered, and receiving, sexual services for extra payment.In reports presented to Newcastle and Lake Macquarie the private investigator detailed the sexual services he received.In a letter to Mr Cook on March 25, Lake Macquarie council said it issued orders on March 15 giving the operators until March 24 to cease operating as a brothel after hiring a private investigator who confirmed sexual services were being offered.The council would continue to monitor the premises. The owners advised the council they would cease operations.On March 8 and 22 Mr Cook received letters from Newcastle council about illegal operators in Wickham and Islington.Although the council was satisfied that sexual services were being offered at both premises, it advised Mr Cook that "council's enforcement options are limited", and he should consider Land and Environment Court action.Because "the alleged use of the premises does not create an impact on the amenity of the neighbourhood . . . the ongoing costs of investigation into the use of the premises and legal costs to undertake enforcement action, should evidence be gained, cannot therefore be justified".Mr Cook said the council's lack of action was a health and safety issue because illegal operators allowed unsafe sex practices.A Newcastle council spokesman said the council was "comfortable that it takes appropriate action as and when required to enforce planning laws, in the interests of the broader community".
© 2011 Newcastle Herald
