Sex and the city row fears grow

By Nathan Johnston
FRUSTRATED City of Greater Dandenong councillors believe they are powerless to stop the growth of the sex industry in the municipality.
The council reluctantly approved an application to develop an adult sex bookshop on FrankstonDandenong Road.
They believed the likely alternative was to spend $10,000 on an unsuccessful VCAT hearing.
Cr Clare O’Neil said the industrial areas of the municipality were the best place for adult bookshops, rather than in the CBD or residential areas.
“If we did a poll of councillors, most would prefer that there were not so many sex shops in the City of Greater Dandenong,” Cr O’Neil said.
“But on three occasions VCAT has made it clear that they were not happy that we’ve refused applications like this, and if we refuse another, it’s quite possible we’ll be wasting $10,000 of ratepayers’ money.”
The council’s director of city development Mal Baker said it was likely the council would lose an appeal if it decided to reject the application.
“It’s difficult to estimate the costs, but VCAT has issued permits for similar uses in Dandenong,” Mr Baker said.
“We can’t judge what VCAT would do, but there’s a strong chance our decision would be overturned.”
But Cr John Kelly said that there were more than enough sex shops on busy roads in Dandenong South, and that council should reject the application regardless of the likely VCAT decision.
“When you drive along Cheltenham Road it’s like you’re driving into Sex City,” Cr Kelly said.
“The message needs to be sent out that we don’t want these shops opening up on main thoroughfares. Our residents deserve better.”
Cr Paul Donovan said the increase in sex shops in Greater Dandenong was hurting the image of the city.
“This is contrary to what we’re trying to achieve and the image we are trying to create.
“It lowers the civic and moral tone of this municipality, and it’s not something we should support.”
But Cr Peter Brown said resistance was both useless and unnecessary.
“There have been no objections from the community, despite extensive advertising, and it’s fairly clear that all the planning conditions have been satisfied.”