BRIMBANK City Council denies any suggestions of illegal prostitution operating in the municipality amid claims that hundreds of illegal brothels are operating across Victoria.
The council’s spokeswoman confirmed to Star last week it had not employed private investigators to bring into the open illegal brothels in the area.
But, with the assistance of police, it did close down one illegal brothel operating in Sunshine.
The Municipal Association of Victoria president Dick Gross said it was “typical” that there were only a few illegal brothels operating in each municipality.
He said it appeared that Brimbank City Council had illegal prostitution under control, despite numerous Melbourne councils prosecuting such operations.
“I think they’re right on top of it. There’s no evidence that there’s a raging problem in Brimbank,” Mr Gross said.
Mr Gross said he believed there was not a demand for illegal brothels in the West as many legal brothels were operating in the industrial areas, with one in the North Sunshine industrial estate.
Despite Mr Gross’ call for the State Government to intervene to ensure that all agencies and authorities were more equipped to deal with illegal brothels, the council told Star it had not had the need to seek any support from Consumer Affairs Victoria, which has responsibility under the Prostitution Control Act for enforcing action against illegal prostitution.
“As council has had limited need to undertake any enforcement process against illegal brothels, it has not at this time formed a view either way on whether the legislation needs to be amended and if so how it should be amended,” the spokeswoman said.
Brimbank mayor Margaret Giudice said council and police were co-operating.
“If the police would indicate that there are illegal brothels and they would like council’s help in dealing with it, then we would have to work on something with the police,” Cr Giudice said.
