A brothel is proposed for this site at Re Road in the Townsend industrial estate. Image: Geoff Helisma

Geoff Helisma Lismore-based planning, surveying and engineering company Newton Denny Chapelle has lodged a development application (DA) with Clarence Valley Council (CVC) to establish a brothel at Re Road in the Townsend industrial estate. The brothel, if approved, “will consist of four (4) suites inclusive of one (1) accessible suite, reception area, powder room, staff bathroom and a staff room”, the DA states. “A 1.8metre high Colorbond fence will be erected along the frontage to the premises to provide privacy for the business.” Mr S Newton is named as the approved and proposed operator of the business – he is no relation to Mr John Newton of Newton Denny Chapelle. The brothel will be staffed “by a maximum of six (6) employees at any one time (depending on demand)”, and its hours of operation will be limited to 10am to 2am seven days a week, also depending on demand. Parking for 10 vehicles (including four for staff) will be provided. A yet to be designed sign measuring 1.8metres by 0.9metres is proposed for the front of the building. The Clarence Valley Local Environment Plan 2011 notes the following (in part) in regard to considering the location of sex services: (a) whether the premises will be located on land that adjoins, is directly opposite or is separated only by a local road from [residential] land … used for the purposes of a centre-based child care facility, a community facility, a school or a place of public worship; and, (b) the impact the proposed development and its hours of operation would have on any place, likely to be regularly frequented by children … that adjoins the proposed development, or … can be viewed from the proposed development, or … from which a person can view the proposed development. A preschool is located around the corner, 500metres from the proposed development. According to the LEP, “home occupations (sex services)” – where no building works are proposed –are permitted without consent in all residential zones. The development control plan (DCP) for industrial land in the valley notes that CVC cannot “consider locating a brothel or sex services “within view or within a 100 metre radius of a church, hospital, school, community facility, residential zone, or any other place regularly frequented by children for recreation or cultural activities”. Both the LEP and DCP can be accessed through CVC’s website. The DA is on public exhibition at CVC’s customer service centres. Submissions close at 4pm on December 20.