Arabic version: أديلايد تقرّ مناطق حظر للمنشآت المخصّصة للبالغين

According to ABC News, the South Australian government has approved planning rules restricting where new adult entertainment venues and shops can operate in Adelaide’s CBD and North Adelaide. The restrictions take effect immediately and apply to venues offering services such as nude or lap dances, as well as businesses selling sexually explicit materials and products.

The exclusion zones cover King William Street, Rundle Mall, Rundle Street, North, South, East and West Terrace, large parts of residential areas in the CBD’s south, and all of North Adelaide. Hindley Street, an entertainment precinct, is not included. Existing venues within the exclusion zones will not be affected by the new rules.

The changes do not apply to lingerie businesses or massage parlours. Planning Minister Nick Champion said massage parlours are managed under a different section of the code covering personal services. He said the changes were intended to protect prominent city areas, including boulevards, squares and Rundle Street, and support a strong civic character.

Under the amended rules, Adelaide City Council will be required to assess sex-shop applications more closely, including their advertising and shop presentation. The council said it had sought to address concerns about a lack of suitable policies for assessing such premises. East End Co-ordination Group president and business owner Frank Hannon-Tan said the restrictions would help protect the East End’s dining, retail and cultural character as more people move into the city.

Mr Champion said Hindley Street had long had a particular character and that the code amendment would give the City of Adelaide greater ability to manage its interface with the street. He said no moral judgements were being made and that people were free to make their own choices.