By Ewen McRae
Brimbank council will investigate ways to put the squeeze on illegal brothels.
Mayor Lucinda Congreve raised the issue at last week’s council meeting, asking for a report on options for dealing with alleged illegal brothels – with estimates of at least 10 operating within Brimbank.
“Council often gets complaints from our community alleging massage parlours are operating as illegal brothels in Brimbank,” Cr Congreve said.
“This is a huge concern to our residents, and we want to look at our options for dealing with the problem.
“At present, investigating alleged brothels is extremely challenging because councils have limited legislative powers to deal with such issues, and such investigations often pose risks to council officers.
“As Victoria Police is the lead agency in sex industry enforcement, the current process is to refer all allegations about alleged illegal brothels for investigation by Victoria Police, including the relevant local police station and the Sex Industry Coordination Unit.
“However, such a process can take time, and we’re aware that our community wants quicker action on such matters.”
Police have shut down a number of illegal brothels in Brimbank, including one in Perth Avenue, Albion, in December 2017.
Kingston council investigations into complaints of illegal brothels have led to the closure of 18 establishments during the past four years. A similar program in Dandenong has also seen success.
Cr Congreve said this was one option that would be explored, along with other ways of closing down illegal brothels.
“We’re interested in exploring what our options are for dealing effectively with alleged illegal brothels,” she said.
“This would help us consider an appropriate response within our legislated powers and our role of working in partnership with other agencies, such as Victoria Police.”
