Kryal Castle owner Keith Ryall outside the tourist attraction in 2007. Credit:Eugene Hyland Officially opened in 1974, the bluestone castle has its own moat, drawbridge, tavern and maze. In the past it was a popular venue for weddings and special events, including rave parties and concerts. If successful at Friday's private auction, Mr Hewinson said Kryal Castle could become a spa resort-type venue for international VIPs willing to pay top dollar. Mr Hewinson said the high-end customers could be flown to the venue by helicopter.

"Kryal Castle would not be a 500-customers-per-night venue and used for 30 minutes at a time, but would be exclusive, expensive for only a few customers at a time, who may book for five hours, a day, a week, maybe longer," he said. However, Mr Hewinson may have a fight on his hands before he even gets into the auction room. Real estate agent Mark Deunk issued a warning that Mr Hewinson and other prospective bidders who were not "transparent" about their businesses, would be barred from the auction, which was by invitation only. "If we know there is a brothel owner among the bidders, they will be turned away," Mr Deunk said. Information about the 27-hectare property has been sent to about 90 individuals and groups identified as possible buyers.

Mr Deunk said Kryal Castle owners, Joyce and Keith Ryall, were upset by the proposal and would unlikely sell the property to a brothel owner as they would be living next door. In response to Mr Deunk's warning, Mr Hewinson said he was a legitimate businessman. "I run a legitimate business and it is irrelevant that the nature of that business happens to be the adult industry. The use of the property after purchase should also be irrelevant to the previous owners," Mr Hewinson said. He said the invitation to the private auction was made under another business name. "I'm not going to declare myself a brothel owner at the auction. People need to prepare themselves that this is a real proposal." Mr Hewinson said he investigated the possibility of opening a brothel in Ballarat about five years ago.

Moorabool Mayor Pat Toohey said the brothel owner had not yet applied to the council for a planning permit for the property. "There is no indication that the proposal has any validity and it will have to go through the planning process like any other business," Cr Toohey said. - Ballarat Courier