Artarmon brothel proposal: legal challenge launched over Hampden Rd site

A legal challenge is brewing over contentious plans for a brothel in a north shore shopping strip amid concerns by residents the suburb is becoming Sydney’s equivalent to Bangkok’s “red light district”.

The brothel would operate in Artarmon’s Hampden Rd shopping strip.

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A legal challenge is looming over contentious plans for a brothel in a bustling north shore shopping strip.

The Artarmon Massage Centre has launched a Land and Environment appeal after its proposal to broaden its operations to include sex services hit a hurdle from Willoughby Council.

Plans lodged to the council state the expansion of the Hampden Rd business would have five staff members working on a rotational basis from 8am to 2am, seven days per week.

The business would operate 16 hours per day.

The $40,000 proposal includes adding extra rooms on the first floor of the building along with a disabled waiting room, ramp, ensuites and a reception area.

The centre said the parlour has offered therapeutic massage including sex services in three rooms on a provisional arrangement since 2018 and that an expansion to five working rooms was warranted as the trail had resulted “no visible impacts” upon local shops.

A Willoughby Council spokeswoman confirmed the appeal had been lodged after the council failed to determine the application with 40 days of lodgement and was therefore deemed as a “refusal”.

Submissions by residents say the proposal is too close to Artarmon Public School.

The challenge will play out in the Land and Environment Court on September 2 with a further conciliation hearing scheduled for September 22.

The appeal comes after plans sparked a flurry of submissions to the council with residents raising concerns over the proximity of the site to schools and shops.

The Artarmon Progress Association also weighed in on the proposal, saying the development was too close to residential unit blocks and lacked adequate parking.

A site plan lodged to the council.

“It’s uncomfortably close to Artarmon Public School, a public park, a church, a child care and a medical centre. All those venues are frequented by children,” association president Georgina Roussac said.

Other residents questioned the need for the proposal, noting the number of similar businesses already operating in the town centre and Artarmon industrial precinct.

One anonymous submission stated Artarmon was at risk of becoming Sydney’s equivalent to Bangkok’s Patpong Rd red-light district.

The centre would operate in the Artarmon town centre.

“The concentration of brothels is already impacting the character of Artarmon, there are other much more appropriate locations,” resident Jeffrey Smith added.

The application stated approval could “enhance the viability and vitality of the local centre” by giving the shop an “appearance of being occupied, particularly during its night time operating hours.”

“It is unlikely the approval of the proposal would result in a reduction of the viability, vitality and amenity of the Hampden Rd local centre,” the plans added.

Plans stated the application was in line with the B2 zoning of the site, allowing a range of retail, business, entertainment and community uses.

The North Shore Times has contacted the applicant but did not receive a response at the time of publication.