Cumberland Council excludes brothels from residential areas

A western Sydney council has averted public backlash and given the red light to sex services in residential neighbourhoods.

Operating brothels close to homes has been discussed at a western Sydney council.

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Sex workers using brothels in the Cumberland Council area will keep their distance from residents after plans in a draft policy were tweaked.

Under changes to one of its draft planning policies, the council proposed to permit sex services in mixed-use zones, which takes in residential and business neighbourhoods.

Under existing laws, brothels are only allowed in industrial or business zones.

But councillor Lisa Lake amended the motion for the Local Environment Plan and said more information was needed.

“I recognise that there may be a genuine risk that, if we don’t expand the areas where these businesses may be able to operate with council’s consent, that may lead to illegal and unregulated activity in these areas,’’ she said.

Sex services have been discussed at Cumberland Council.

“But I haven't seen any analysis, local or otherwise, that support or negate that view.”

The issue arose as part of the council starting to create a Local Environmental Plan, which provides uniform planning rules. Currently, different plans operate for Holroyd, Paramatta and Auburn councils, which amalgamated to form Cumberland in 2016.

“I feel that this LEP consolidation exercise isn’t the time to be venturing into new policy territory particularly on the matter of how best to manage the regulatory obligations of council in relations to the sex services industry,’’ Cr Lake said.

Plans to operate brothels near homes have been thwarted. Picture: Angelo Velardo

Cumberland Mayor Greg Cummings said he would not have supported sex services in residential areas.

“My stance is always that they’re never going to get rid of them but they need to have them regulated in industrial areas,’’ he said.

“This industry’s been around since the dawn of time. All I can say is the best way to protect the workers and clients is that it’s licensed and regulated, and they’re in appropriate areas away from schools and churches.”

Cr Lake amended the proposal to exclude sex services being permitted among residential zones.

The LEP will go on exhibition for public feedback early next year before it is adopted in June.

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