Darren Coyne
A brothel operating in South Tweed will now operate 24 hours a day despite objections from a nearby childcare centre and others.
The brothel, Juliannas, was originally refused by the Tweed Shire Council in May, 2010, but that decision was overturned in the NSW Land and Environment court in November 2010, although the applicants original 24-hour application was amended to 6pm to 6am seven days a week.
The applicants argued that the ‘the proposed modification (to opening hours) is necessary in order to fulfill the demand for services provided by the business and is consistent with usual sex industry practice, including the other four approved brothels operating in Tweed shire’.
Last night councillors voted unanimously (Cr Gary Bagnall absent) to extend the hours, but placed a one-year trial period on the approval.
In a submission from Teddy Bears Educational Child Care Centre, a spokesperson said the brothel was too close to the child care centre and other businesses.
‘This change of trading hours was brought to my attention by one of the parents whose children attend our kindergarten,’ she said.
‘She voiced her concern due to the fact her husband was parked in Enterprise Drive with her two children in the car when a young scantily dressed girl approached him with a business card and suggested he visit the brothel.’
But police from the Tweed/Byron local area command disagreed.
‘Our view has always been that we do not object to brothels provided appropriate standards have been met,’ police said.
‘We have not had any indications that the premises … have breached any such laws and we would not object to its 24-hour operation.
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