COUNCILLORS are keeping an open mind when it comes to plans for a brothel in South Bathurst.
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The development application (DA) for the sex services premises at 8 Kirkcaldy Street was lodged late last month, proposing the building for a vacant site in the industrial area off Vale Road.
According to the documents submitted with the DA, the premises will operate 24/7, have up to 10 sex workers on site at any one time, and at least one manager present at all times.
The documents detail strict cleaning protocols and testing regimes for workers, and notes the security measures on site, including fencing, an electronic gate and closed-circuit television.
Given the nature of the business, it is understandable the plans would have some in the community concerned about the DA.
However, councillors say they will remain focused on the facts of the DA and are prepared to support the plans if they comply.
Deputy mayor Monica Morse said the advice of council staff will be key in the decision making.
"We'll have to wait to see what the council staff say, we will be guided by that," she said.
"Now, whether we will agree with it or not is a question we will debate at a council meeting when it comes up."
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She said she also plans to conduct research to see what impact brothels have had in other communities, noting stories she has heard of brothels in Sydney where there are generally no problems.
While there is still a lot of discussion to be had, Cr Morse said she is prepared to vote in favour of the DA.
"If there's no threat to the safety of the community, if there is no threat with behaviour, then I think we should seriously consider it, but we do need to ensure that there are standards of acceptable behaviour and we don't want people in the neighbourhood to feel threatened," she said.
Councillor Jacqui Rudge is of a similar mind.
She said she will consider objections and invited residents to raise any concerns with her, but at the moment she doesn't see any glaring issues and will be treating it the same as any other DA.
"I would be very concerned if it was in a residential area, I certainly would be not happy with that, but it's in an industrial area, where I can see there will be security fencing and, from what I gather - I don't know much about these types of places - it's going to be run quite professionally," Cr Rudge said.
Councillors Warren Aubin and Jess Jennings also told the Advocate that they see no reason not to approve the brothel at this stage.
To those concerned about the type of business it is, Cr Jennings said: "As they say, it's the world's oldest profession, it's been around for a long time and I don't think they're going to get rid of it any time soon."
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