Sex slap for council

By Paul Dunlop
ANOTHER sex shop is coming to Pakenham.
And Cardinia Shire Council has been dealt a slap by the state planning umpire.
In a decision hailed as a vindication by operators of the Sextastic chain of stores, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) overturned opposition to plans for a new womenorientated adult shop in Michael Street.
The council in July had refused to grant a permit for the adult bookstore, the second in what some councillors said was an alarming trend.
But tribunal members Rachel Naylor and MaryAnne Taranto cast aside the council’s decision.
Councillors had claimed the proposal was too close to future housing development and would jeopardise proper planning for the area.
But VCAT said the Sextastic store’s location complied with a 200 metre buffer zone required between an adult bookshop and a residential area.
A shop selling adult products, lingerie and novelties as well as offering spray tanning and other health and lifestyle services was not out of place in the predominantly industrial area, the tribunal found.
Sextastic managing director Jodie Gowans welcomed the decision, saying she was very happy.
The shop joins Adult Sensations which opened in Racecourse Road earlier this year.
Ms Gowans said the new store was expected to open before Christmas.
“This is the second time Sextastic has been before VCAT and it has been successful both times,” Ms Gowans said.
“We have always remained focused on the fact that our application met the criteria set out for opening a store in the Cardinia Shire.”
Fifteen objections had been lodged by business operators and nearby residents.
Objectors said people visiting other shops and services would be put off by a sex shop in the area.
Ms Naylor and Ms Taranto were critical of the lack of detailed planning council had done for that part of town.
The tribunal members said the area suffered from a policy vacuum.
They said it was unclear exactly what was ahead for the fastdeveloping area north of the Princes Highway from the Cardinia LiFE aquatic and recreation centre.
The tribunal was concerned that the council appeared to be relying on a planning strategy that was six years old and quickly becoming out of date.
“There is a distinct lack of strategic planning for the future growth of Pakenham, particularly the area north and west of the review site, and the council’s grounds of refusal are insufficient justification to refuse this proposal,” the tribunal report said. “We are not persuaded the approval of this proposal will prejudice the proper future planning of the area.”
Ms Gowans said Sextastic aimed to change people’s perception of adult shops.
“We focus on store layouts that make the shop a fun, friendly place for adults,” she said.
“We want to fit into the Pakenham community and surrounding area not only by employing local people but supporting local issues.”