MT VICTORIA residents are delighted the resource consent granted to the local brothel to increase its number of sex workers has been revoked in the High Court.

“It’s a great victory for the community,” Jessica Closson, president of the Mt Victoria Residents’ Association says.  “It’s already quieter about the place.” 

The ruling was effective immediately.

Justice Robert Dobson ruled that when granting the consent, Wellington City Council had unlawfully failed to notify the public or to consider Section 15 of the Prostitution Reform Act.

Ms Closson, who has been opposing the issue for nearly two years, believes it will be seen as a landmark decision.

“It’s clear the judge has said all councils must look at section 15 of the [act] and must notify when they get that type of application.” 

The owner of the Lovely Lily brothel, Li Dan, will now have to adhere to the District Plan, Ms Closson says.   

The District Plan specifies that those who operate a business in a residential area must reside on the property, have three or fewer workers, and use no more than one third of the floor area for business.

“There’s Li Dan and her partner, and that leaves only one worker,” says Ms Closson.

The court also ordered the council to reimburse the residents’ association’s legal costs.

The action has significantly depleted association coffers and taken hundreds of hours of work.

Catherine Healy, coordinator of the Prostitutes Collective, says they were surprised when the council granted the consent to the Lovely Lily.

The collective doesn’t want exceptions made for brothels.

There are sex workers who work from home or with one other person, and fortunately that situation is still allowed, Healy says.

“There is the perception that we are bringing something new into communities, but of course sex workers have always worked quietly.”

The Prostitution Reform Act, which was passed in 2003, has since been reviewed.

“It was found to be working well,” Ms Healy says. “Conditions for sex workers have improved and its aims were being met on many fronts.”