SYDNEY has become the Amsterdam of the South Pacific.A confidential document by the NSW Government reveals that Sydney alone has more than double the number of legal brothels in Victoria and Queensland combined.
In Sydney alone, there are 244 legal brothels, and a further 90 "suspected" illegal brothels. NSW has 271 legal brothels, Victoria just over 90, and Queensland 24.
Several industry figures estimate that there are at least 10,000 sex workers in NSW - putting the state on a par with Amsterdam.
Even more surprising is that fact that Sydney's brothel hot spot isn't Kings Cross but a quiet suburb out in the city's west.
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The figures are the first definitive statistics compiled in the state, and will heighten calls from law enforcement to rein in its growth amid claims that the industry is being infiltrated by organised crime. Experts say it is far easier to start a brothel than a pub.
What is more alarming is that these numbers may be just the beginning. Only 56 of NSW's 152 councils responded to the government survey. The others refused.
Many abstainers were in county NSW, where an admission of the existence of working brothels would be highly embarrassing.
Senior NSW officials delivered the figures in March but it is believed the Government is reluctant to release them because they are seen as political dynamite ahead of next year's state election.
The statistics show 150 illegal brothels operate in the state, with hundreds more are believed to be going unreported.
A former ICAC and National Crime Authority organised crime investigator - who has raided more than 200 brothels across Sydney - said the figures were the first ever gathered by a NSW government.
"The proliferation of brothels has resulted from dysfunctional planning laws and legislation governing sex premises in NSW," he said.
"There's no control. The approval process, which only looks at development issues, has no provision for any criminal links with owners or operators, unlike liquor licensing laws."
Chris Seage, a former high-level consultant to the legal brothel industry in NSW, said of the figures: "I'm staggered. I only thought there were about 150 legal brothels in NSW. Now it turns out there's double, and that's only in a third of the councils."
Mr Seage said the key reason for the huge growth in legal brothels in NSW was "laissez faire" regulation.
"We've left everything in the hands of councils, who are toothless in clamping down," he said.
"There's no probity checks done in NSW. Any Tom, Dick or Harry can own a brothel, irrespective of their criminal background. You can be a murderer or a crime boss and legally own a brothel authorised by council."
Acting Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Mike McDermott, agreed councils did not have the ability to stop the spread of brothels: "We've been powerless to stop brothels starting up in our area."
Mr McDermott has been unable to limit the 20 brothels in his area alone.
