25 February 2013

Hearings Panel reconfirms recommendation to remove Lyttelton from proposed Brothels Bylaw

The Brothels Bylaw Hearings Panel today reconsidered the issue of an area where commercial brothels could set up business in Lyttelton. It decided to recommend to the Council that no commercial brothel area in Lyttelton should be provided for within the proposed Christchurch City Council Brothels (Location and Commercial Sexual Services Signage) Bylaw 2012.

Brothels Bylaw Hearing Panel Chairperson Helen Broughton says this bylaw has been a highly debated issue that has attracted a lot of feedback from the community, particularly from people concerned about the possibility of operator-run brothels in Lyttelton.

“The Council asked the Panel to take another look at a location within Lyttelton where operator-run brothels could set up business. The Panel, by a majority decision, has reconfirmed its earlier decision not to allow any areas for these brothels within Lyttelton in its recommendation to the Council. This recommendation does not include small owner-operator brothels (SOOBs).

“Having re-read the submissions on the possible inclusion of an area for brothels within the Lyttelton Town Centre Zone, hearing from local people and receiving new information about a possible school merger, I am confident with the Panel’s recommendation.

“All Councillors will be sent copies of the submissions,” she says.

It is anticipated that the Council will further consider this issue at its 28 March 2013 meeting.

To read the Brothels Bylaw Hearings Panel report on the proposed Christchurch City Council Brothels (Location and Commercial Sexual Services Signage) Bylaw 2012, that went to the 6 December Council meeting click here.

ENDS

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Scoop Business: Bathurst Gets Nod For DoC Access To Denniston Mine

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has approved access over conservation estate land for Bathurst Resources to develop an open cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau, above Westport, to the dismay of environmental opponents.

The timing for Smith’s move avoids Bathurst having to resubmit applications for access agreements under the revised Crown Minerals Act, which comes into force tomorrow and would have required public consultation.

The announcement lands in the middle of delicate negotiations between the company, environmental groups and other interested parties that could pave the way to a broader agreement on the Escarpment proposal, whose resource consents are still subject to court appeals. More>>