Furious South Melbourne locals rally against swingers club

A plan to open a swingers club in the heart of South Melbourne has sparked outrage from residents and businesses, who are in a desperate fight to block it from opening.

A plan to open a swingers club on City Rd in South Melbourne has sparked outrage. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

An X-rated plan to open a 200-person swingers club in the heart of South Melbourne has sparked pushback from locals, who have launched a last-ditch bid to block it from opening.

The “sex on premises” venue was given the green light by Port Phillip City Council last month, with the vacant two-storey site along City Rd to be transformed into an adults-only venue complete with a bar and live music entertainment.

Pineapples Lifestyle Bar has described its space, which it is hoping to open in November, as a “purpose-built adult playground” where patrons can enjoy private and public rooms.

The Herald Sun understands the venue is likely to be used for “content creation”, including pornography production, during the day before hosting ticketed adults-only events at night.

But angry locals have applied to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to have the decision to grant a planning permit reviewed.

This red-brick building on City Rd has been given the green light to become an adults-only venue. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

More than 30 business owners and residents objected to the plan prior to the council’s decision to grant the permit, slamming the venue as “inappropriate for the area”.

Tony Baenziger, owner of Baenziger Coles architecture firm nearby, told the Herald Sun he feared the development could have a “detrimental effect” on South Melbourne, where there were several brothels and adult entertainment venues.

“We’re already becoming a bit of an epicentre of sexually orientated businesses,” he said.

“There are apartments, there’s a primary school, there’s churches, there’s parks. There’s all sorts of things that just really make this a bit of an unsavoury type of business to have in this area.

“I don’t have a problem with someone running a business like that … but there are residences very close to this.”

Mr Baenziger, who also owns a residential property nearby and has worked in the area for 34 years, said the risque development could stop prospective investors and business owners from moving into South Melbourne.

“I’m trying to protect my future and what I see as the future of South Melbourne, and that of the other property owners in what we call the City Rd wedge, and local residents around us,” he said.

“I don’t think the proprietors of this would like it, if someone opened up a business like this next to their own home.”

Locals have warned there are apartments, a primary school and churches nearby.

At a council meeting last month, deputy mayor Louise Crawford and councillors Tim Baxter, Andrew Bond, Peter Martin and Robbie Nyaguy voted in favour of a permit, while mayor Heather Cunsolo and councillors Marcus Pearl and Christina Sirakoff voted against.

“Just to make clear, we’re making the decision based on planning rules,” Ms Crawford said.

“We can’t take into consideration whether the kind of business is up our alley.”

She said that this section of City Rd was an “industrial” area, with limited residences nearby, describing it as the “perfect place” for a business of this nature.

“There are swingers clubs … in all corners of the world and most of it is highly discreet.”

But Mr Baenziger said Pineapple Lifestyle Bar was given the green light despite a move underway to have the location rezoned to a residential area.

The planning permit was granted subject to conditions, including that the plans be modified to show seating for a minimum of 100 patrons and “acoustically-treated doors”.

South Melbourne is already home to several brothels and adult entertainment venues. Picture: David Crosling

Prior to opening, “noise vibration testing” is required to be carried out to confirm the use complies with noise limits.

The council’s traffic department recommended that patron numbers were cut to 150 to minimise “parking impacts on neighbouring residential streets”, but councillors pushed ahead with the 200-person limit.

Every day from 6pm, the venue is allowed to open its doors to up to 200 patrons until close at 2am, but during the day only 20 patrons will be allowed on the premises.

Victoria Police was notified of the proposed uses for the venue and did not raise any concerns, according to council documents.

Pineapple Bar policies outline a strict registration process with a strong emphasis on consent for visitors, who receive a briefing before entering and must strip down to their underwear once upstairs.

According to VCAT, the application for review was lodged with the tribunal last week.

The locals have launched a GoFundMe to raise at least $10,000 to engage planning experts for the legal fight.

More than $500 had been raised, as of Wednesday night.

In a statement, Ms Cunsolo said the council would “advocate” at VCAT for its decision to grant a planning permit.

“The council report provides the reasoning for the decision, which although wasn’t unanimous, was supported by a majority of councillors,” she said.

Pineapples Lifestyle Bar has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Furious South Melbourne locals rally against swingers club