While plans for Glen Innes’ first ever adult novelty store have raised community concerns, Glen Innes Severn Council say their hands are tied and cannot refuse such a premises on moral or religious grounds and only consider it based on planning matters.
Eden 4 Adults has proposed to open in Grey Street at the site of the former Celtic Pets. According to a development application filed with Glen Innes Severn Council, the shop would sell hen’s and buck’s novelty gifts, lingerie, DVD’s and other adult products. It is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
The business is to be operated by a husband and wife who recently relocated to the area. The development application states that between them the couple have management qualifications, are licensed alcohol distributors, hold a security licence, degrees in Arts and law (one being an admitted solicitor), and teaching qualifications.
The couple previously owned and operated two successful businesses, an alcohol and gift basket delivery service and a security business specialising in crowd control.
According to the proposal, the interior of the shop would not be visible from the outside due to blackened windows and curtains, and the signage would be discreet and in keeping with the streetscape. Entrance to the premises would consist of a corridor so passersby do not see the contents of the store when the front door is opened. Closed circuit television would monitor the corridor to enable staff to head off any minors attempting to gain entry.
The store is proposed to open between the hours of 11:00am and 10:00pm seven days a week. The owners plan to employ four staff members, two full-time and two casual.
Director of Development and Environmental Services Graham Price said council could not deem whether the premises was morally right or wrong and could only deem the premises not appropriate if it were within 150m of a school or church.
Mr Price said there was a legal precedent where councils had refused a restricted premise but the courts have overturned the decision where substantial planning grounds do not exist, costing councils thousands in legal expenses.
Mr Price said in assessing the DA if there were three or more public submissions received based on valid planning grounds the proposal would be put before council; otherwise council staff would assess it.
Anglican Church Minister Chris Brennan (who has written a letter to the editor published on page four) said he was troubled that council could not take into consideration moral and religious impacts when considering the development application. He said morality was a real issue in the community with real effects.
“We have become so desensitised to things (like sex) that we don’t see their value. Pornography and other paraphernalia fuel the misuse of sex and creates a pressure to look a certain way and act a certain way that is not realistic and unhelpful in relationships,” he said.
“Relationships are bound for failure if they are based on sex, they becomes ‘me- centred’.”
Rev Brennan said he was particularly concerned about the placement of the store near a Christian bookstore, a sports store, a new discount store and Kwong Sing’s Clothing Emporium - all family oriented businesses. Rev Brennan raised the question what to tell young children who asked what was in the store and said although the store would be regulated to protect minors once products left the store they were not.
The development application is available for public viewing at council’s Church Street office. Members of the public have until Thursday (14 days since notice was given) to lodge any objections to the application.
E What are your thoughts on this issue? Send a letter to the Examiner at editor.glenexaminer@ruralpress.co m or fax 6732 2544.
M Editorial, letters - page 4
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