REDLAND City Council has issued adult shop Naked Passion a “show cause” notice calling on the owners to explain why they should be allowed to open in the heart of Cleveland.
The notice claims the shop, which has an 18+ media room and hires out strippers, is in breach of the State Planning Regulatory Provision for Adult Stores.
According to the law, an adult store cannot open within 200 metres walking distance of a “sensitive use area” — in other words, a child care centre.
The “show cause” notice gives operators Wayne and Leah Day, 20 business days to respond and apply to council for permission to operate from their new Bloomfield Street address.
More than 500 people signed a petition, tabled at this morning’s council meeting, calling for the shop to be moved away from cafes and children.
Gelato shop owner Tracey Jepsen said she was concerned for her staff and customers and said there was little security at the rear of the Naked Passion shop, near toilets and car parks.
She said there was a kindergarten, a child care facility, Kip McGrath School and a kids’ playground within 200m of the shop, putting it in breach of the State Planning Regulatory Provision.
Brisbane City Council gave a sex shop in Keperra its marching orders last month because it was near a child care centre.
Mayor Karen Williams backed Bloomfield Street retailers in their opposition to the adult shop.
“Residents and businesses told me they don’t think the Bloomfield Street arcade is appropriate for this business especially after all the work and effort council has done to rejuvenate Cleveland,” Cr Williams said.
“We want to make sure the location is the right one, which is why the business has 20 days to prove it complies with state law.
“If it doesn’t, council has the power to move them out.”
Cr Williams said she was advised council was likely to refuse an application from the shop because it was within 200metres of Cleveland Library.
Naked Passion’s Mrs Day defended the shop’s location and said it was less than 100m away from its former premises, also in Bloomfield Street, where it had been for more than eight years.
“The new location is off the street and we now have wheelchair access and better parking so we comply with all the laws,” she said.
“We have always been open about our business and what we sell because we have done nothing wrong.
“Ideally, everyone has sex and if they don’t they want to – we are just helping some with health and wellbeing issues.”
