Port’s burning question

SEX workers in Port Kembla have come forward to state their case amidst a furore over the submission of a development application by Wentworth Street businessman, Miles Lafleur to establish what he describes as a "safe house brothel."

A number of businesses have drawn up a petition opposing the development, claiming that it will encourage prostitution and illegal activities such as drug distribution and illicit sex.

"That prostitution should be encouraged in this suburb is abhorrent to us and the use of commercial premises as a safe haven reflects the failure of the social welfare agencies that are available," the petition states.

Owner of the Venus Adult Book Shop, Mr Lafleur said his Venus Rooms were closed last November by Wollongong Council due to what it claims were safety issues.

He said the sex workers now conduct their sex work in cars and car parks because there is nowhere to go.

Desiree has been working the streets for 15 years.

She has a heroin habit that costs about $600 a day.

The mother of seven says her drug habit has forced her in to prostitution.

"I'm an honest person," she said.

"I never set out to have a life like this, but I'm not going to turn to crime to support my habit.

"I don't want to hurt anyone.

"I've tried rehab and will try again, but it's very hard."

Desiree is a qualified chef, landscaper and commercial and domestic cleaner and once kept a safe house for teenagers in Wollongong.

She claims she turned to heroin when she lost her twin babies at their birth.

"If the heroin hadn't been there when I was vulnerable, my life would have taken a very different turn," she said.

"I'm sure of that."

Desiree has no home and claims she "sleeps wherever she lays her head."

Spokesperson for the petition and pharmacy owner, Phil Bowden, said the town "does not need a brothel."

"Nor do we need the associated visual disturbance and I certainly will not condone or endorse it."

He said he joined other businesses and residents in the desire to "get Wentworth Street cleaned up."

"The people of Port Kembla are proud of their town."

The Venus rooms operated for 14 years.

The Lake Times asked Mr Bowden why it had recently become an issue.

"The process has improved," he said.

"We now know about applications and have the opportunity to object.

"I wouldn't object to a brothel in the appropriate area, such as the industrial area.

"I just don't want it on our main street."

"It's a scar on the landscape and our customers can't get out of their cars because they are approached by sex workers."

Mr Lafleur said he had never required a development application in the past.

The Disorderly Houses Amendment Act 1995 decriminalised brothels, abolishing the common law offence of keeping a brothel.

The passage of this legislation meant that brothels became a commercial business requiring local government approval and provided a mechanism for local councils to apply to the Land and Environment Court to close a brothel.

"I have followed all the safety guidelines and addressed all the issues relevant to running a safety house brothel," Mr Lafleur said.

He said his plan was to charge a minimum amount for the use of the rooms and that no revenue would be gained from sex work.

He said he believed some people wanted rid of his sex shop.

"They say it creates a drug problem," he said.

"This is nonsense.

"There is no correlation between a sex shop and drugs."

Mr Lafleur's development application for adult video lounges and a safe house brothel is on public exhibition until March 28 at Level 4, Council Administration Building, Burelli Street, Wollongong.