City of Melville Required to Follow Due Process Regarding Alleged Brothel

Following calls by Alfred Cove MLA Dr Janet Woollard that the City of Melville should close down an alleged brothel in Mt Pleasant, City of Melville Chief Executive Officer Dr Shayne Silcox said the City would need to follow the correct procedures.

“Firstly, we need to be informed of the alleged activities occurring at a specific address,” he said. “We then need to investigate the matter to determine whether any illegal activities are taking place. If we discover they are operating illegally, we will advise them to cease their operations and if they fail to comply, we can then proceed with legal action. We are currently investigating three alleged brothels in the municipality, including one in Mt Pleasant.”

Dr Silcox said he had previously discussed the issue of brothels and the State Government’s new prostitution legislation with Dr Woollard. “I have requested that she contact the City of Melville formally so we can use her correspondence as part of the evidence trail against any alleged brothel, which can then be used in a court of law,” he said.

“The City of Melville understands that brothels and prostitution are contentious issues in the local community and we take residents’ concerns very seriously,” Dr Silcox said. “However, as a local council we can’t just go in and shut an alleged brothel down – we are required to follow due process in dealing with such premises.”

Dr Silcox said the City was currently examining the State Government’s new prostitution legislation, including how it affects the City’s Town Planning Scheme. “A report will soon be presented to Council so our Elected Members can formulate a position on the issue.”