ANOTHER illegal brothel masquerading as a massage parlour has been ordered to shut down.

The doors to Fire Banana at 11 Balcombe Rd, Mentone will be closed for three months after Magistrate Thomas Barrett declared the premises a proscribed brothel.

COURT SHUTS DOWN ILLEGAL BROTHELS

The ruling comes amid a spate of independent investigations commissioned by Kingston Council, which has already taken action against two other illegal brothels in the suburb.

“Council is taking positive action in response to growing community concerns about illegal brothels operating in Kingston,” acting planning and development general manager Ian Nice said.

“We have successfully taken legal action against a number of illegal brothels in recent months, following inspections carried out by independent investigators.”

media_camera Another massage parlour in Mentone has been proscribed a brothel. media_camera Fire Banana Massage has been told it must shut down.

Mr Nice said unlike legal brothels, which often operated in industrial areas away from homes and schools, some of the illegal setups were near where children frequented and caused concern for locals.

Last month Leader revealed two Mentone brothels — Florence Massage, which was next door to a school uniform shop on Florence St, and QJY Massage on Nepean Highway, had been shut down after the investigators uncovered illegal activities on site.

Project Respect which provides support for women in the sex industry, applauded the council for taking action against unlicensed brothels.

And acting executive director Rachel Reilly called for the health and safety of sex workers to be prioritised and ensure the women are “provided access to relevant services they may require coming out of that space and to not criminalise the women as well.”

Brothel investigations are carried out by independent parties, so Kingston Council staff do not have direct contact with workers on site. But, Mr Nice encouraged anyone requiring help to contact trained support organisations, such as Project Respect.

At the August 22 Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court hearing, Magistrate Barrett ordered all costs incurred by the council, totalling $4230, to be paid by the defendant.