A Melbourne council calls for a special taskforce to crush Victoria’s illegal brothels

DODGY brothels are sidestepping the law by making a sneaky move to avoid being put out of business after being busted, one Victorian council fears. This is how.

Fire Banana Massage in Mentone has been declared a proscribed brothel.

A STATE taskforce is needed to smash Victoria’s illegal brothel industry, a Melbourne council says.

Kingston Council says it has spent “substantial” resources exposing an increasing number of brothels masquerading as massage parlours.

In a motion to the Municipal Association of Victoria’s (MAV) State Council meeting, the council wants a review of the Sex Work Act 1994 and the creation of an “interagency” taskforce to deal with the issue.

52 Florence St, Mentone was declared to be operating illegally as a brothel.

Fire Banana Massage was declared a proscribed brothel.

Earlier this year Mayor David Eden wrote to Police Minister Lisa Neville, saying the council had investigated businesses purporting to offer lawful massages only to discover they were operating as illegal brothels, often close to homes, shops, schools and churches.

“I would ask that you give immediate consideration to appropriately resourcing Victoria Police in order to address what is quickly becoming a very significant issue well beyond the boundaries of our municipality,” Cr Eden wrote.

Mentone massage parlour Fire Banana declared illegal brothel by Moorabbin magistrate

Two Mentone massage parlours found to be illegal brothels

He said the use of independent investigators and Kingston’s legal advisers was a significant resource burden on the council and that it would be more appropriate for police to investigate and prosecute these matters.

While police have the power to investigate illegal brothels and take them to court, Cr Eden argued cops should be better resourced to do so.

He was also concerned that Kingston’s proactive stance in shutting down illegal activity would simply push it out to other local government areas.

Since May Kingston Council has successfully taken action against four illegal brothels in Mentone and one in Chelsea, following inspections by independent investigators.

Kingston planning and development general manager Jonathan Guttmann told Leader News the council was investigating a further five suspected brothels.

Each investigation and court proceeding cost the council about $3000 for independent investigator and solicitor fees and that was additional to “substantial amounts of officer time”, Mr Guttmann said.

“If successful in court, full costs can be ordered by the magistrate to reimburse council.”

Council representatives will vote on Kingston Council’s motion at the MAV State Council meeting on October 20.