Melbourne brothel The Daily Planet now ‘dodgy’ drug rehab centre
NEIGHBOURS in an Elsternwick street are furious after the local brothel closed, only to be replaced by a “drug rehab” centre operating without a permit.
Inner South
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ELSTERNWICK neighbours are furious after a notorious local brothel closed, only to be replaced by a “dodgy” drug rehab centre.
The rehab has opened in the same brothel building on Horne St, which still boasts floor-to-ceiling photos of naked women and mirrors on the ceiling.
The ‘Wellbeing Planet’ residential care facility in Elsternwick — purporting to help those with drug and alcohol addictions — opened in April without a permit.
It still has most of the decor left behind from the former luxury brothel, including a loungeroom with billiard table, racy photos, soft furnishings, and multiple beds, showers and spa baths in each room.
DAILY PLANET NOW THE WELLBEING PLANET
UP, UP AND AWAY FOR DAILY PLANET BROTHEL
INSIDE AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST BROTHEL
It’s believed up to 12 people are already living at the “voluntary” rehab centre, and the lessee has now applied for retrospective permission to operate at the famed Horne St site following complaints from neighbours.
One mum living nearby, who did not want to be named, was taken on a walk-through with 30 other residents in May, and said the “whole thing seemed dodgy”.
“If they are bringing people in with these serious problems and are not qualified to help them, I’m genuinely concerned about the safety for us and our families,” the mum-of-one said.
“They can’t give us answers about their qualifications or credentials and... seeing mirrors on the roofs is not conducive to rehabilitating people.”
While she has not seen anyone enter or exit the building, the mum said a fellow neighbour witnessed an “abusive” altercation between a man and a women outside the centre earlier this year, and nearby traders reported smashed windows just a day after the centre opened.
“We’ve lived with it being a brothel but this is a different kettle of fish... and there’s legitimate concern,” she said.
“These people are able to walk down to the chemist to get their prescription, and free to go in laneways without any security guards.”
Glen Eira Residents Association president Bette Hatfield said many residents were worried about amenity, security and due process.
“You assume that if you are going to provide a residential rehab service for substance abuse, there should be certain standards and services to be met but apparently maybe not,” she said.
Glen Eira planning and place director Ron Torres said seven people had objected to the application, which will be decided upon in November.
“We have always maintained a planning permit is required for the use,” Mr Torres said.
It remains unclear who is managing the centre, no website could be found, and urban planners Contour Consultants, acting on behalf of Wellbeing Planet, did not respond to Leader’s requests for comment.
The Daily Planet was subject to police investigations for illegal operations and plunged into bankruptcy before being sold for $8.85 million in 2016 and being leased out for five years.
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