A controversial proposed “sex-on-premises” club for homosexuals above an adult shop in Perth’s CBD has been rejected after an avalanche of public opposition.
Perth City Council on Tuesday night voted 4-3 to refuse the development application for the members-only venue above the Pink Rabbit Adult Boutique on Barrack Street.
The planning application for the Pink Rabbit Club stated that the “LGBTQIA+” venue would host up to 50 people at a time, and floor plans showed 14 couches, a “sex swing” and four private cubicles.
The proposal attracted 341 public submissions, of which 290 opposed the plans and 51 were in support, although it was reported earlier this month that city planning officers had recommended approval and that the venue was expected to get the green light from council.
But Perth Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds, along with councillors Catherine Lezer, Viktor Ko, and Chris Patton, voted down the proposal, Perth Now reported.
The Mayor said the Pink Rabbit Club was “likely to have an adverse impact on the amenity of the adjoining properties and the locality” and be “incompatible with its setting”, while Councillor Lezer said Barrack St was not an appropriate location for the venue.
“The submissions and ratepayers tell me a venue for adult activity does not belong here,” she said.
“This is simply the wrong use in the wrong place. This isn’t about who a venue serves, it’s about basic planning logic.”
Pink Rabbit Adult Boutique owner Nicholas Needham told WAToday he planned to appeal the decision at the State Administrative Tribunal, which could end up costing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars, and lashed out at locals who had opposed his plans.
“This wouldn’t have affected anyone, you wouldn’t have even known it was there,” he said.
“So I am heartbroken, we are all heartbroken. There were no negatives to this proposal.
“We were hoping councillors would be able to see through the negative comments from fringe members of the neighbourhood.”
The rejection came just a week after the Western Australia Department of Health issued a new warning about the state’s ongoing monkeypox outbreak, which has affected heterosexual men and women for the first time.
The department urged residents to monitor for symptoms, use condoms and get vaccinated, with vaccines available free to homosexuals and prostitutes.
