The City of Perth have rejected the application for a new members-only sex on premises venue for the LGBTQIA+ community in the CBD above the Pink Rabbit Adult Boutique on Barrack Street.
Perth City Council refused the development application at its meeting on Tuesday despite planning officers recommending its approval.
According to the planning documents, the mostly open-plan adults-only venue would be alcohol- and other drugs-free and have a maximum capacity of 50.
Members would access the venue via Pink Rabbit or through an entrance in the laneway behind the business..
During the consultation process, the application drew 341 submissions, 290 being objections and 51 in support.
PerthNow confirmed that City officers said 195 objections were lodged without any justification, 43 were submitted using similar pro-forma wording, and 279 of the 290 objections were from owners, occupiers or organisations outside of the City of Perth.
The applicant said the venue was intended to provide “social connection, education and consensual intimate activities in a non-judgmental setting”.
“The space is designed to foster a sex-positive, inclusive, and affirming environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and other identities within the community.”
‘Simply the wrong use in the wrong place’
Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds said he was unable to support something “likely to have an adverse impact on the amenity of the adjoining properties and the locality” and “incompatible with its setting”.
He did not believe the proposal adequately demonstrated how it would be managed and operated to ensure the ongoing preservation of the amenity of the surrounding areas.
Cr Lezer said while there were places for inclusive, safe spaces in the city, the Barrack Street location was not one of them.
“The submissions and ratepayers tell me a venue for adult activity does not belong here,” she told PerthNow. “This proposal is a fundamental land use mismatch. I urge the owner to perhaps consider Northbridge, an entertainment precinct suited for this type of venue.
“This is simply the wrong use in the wrong place. This isn’t about who a venue serves; it’s about basic planning logic.”
Cr Liam Gobbert, who supported the application, said, “Safe spaces for any historically or contemporaneously marginalised, disadvantaged, or persecuted parts of the community are a good thing,”.
“A private landowner seeking to provide that type of safe space in our city without government support should be seen as a good thing. The proposed clientele being the LGBTQIA+ community is a good thing.”
“This isn’t overlooking into anyone’s backyard or bedroom or pool space; there’s no visible light spill, no visual intrusion, no overshadowing into adjacent lots that would affect another landowner’s use.”
Private, discreet, inclusive and accessible
Non-members or guests of members would not have been permitted to access the venue, according to the proposal.
According to the plans, the venue would have four private cubicles, a private sex swing room, 14 couches and five pieces of sex position furniture across two large open plan areas.
Access would have been “strictly limited to verified members through a controlled membership model. This approach establishes clear operational safeguards and minimises the risk of any potential breaches of relevant laws relating to activities occurring in public or publicly accessible places.”
The application stated that the venue expects to have 30 to 40 patrons throughout each day, with one to three staff members supervising the venue at any one time.
“We will enforce clear guidelines, provide on-site education around safer sex practices, consent, and emotional well-being, and partner with relevant organisations to offer resources such as sexual health information and support,” Pink Rabbit Club said in a statement.
“To further ensure accessibility for all members of our diverse community, we are installing a lift as part of venue preparations, removing physical barriers and promoting equitable access.
“Trained staff, secure check-in processes, private facilities, regular cleaning protocols, and a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment, or non-consensual behaviour will maintain a secure and welcoming atmosphere.”
The venue planned to operate from 10 am to 8 pm Monday to Thursday, with later opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays and an earlier closing time of 6 pm on Sundays. The busiest period each day is expected to be between midday and 2 pm.
A progressive and diverse destination
According to the proposal, the club’s owners believed the venue would contribute to the “inclusivity and social cohesion” of the Perth city centre while “reinforcing the City’s role as a hub for cultural expression.”
“The proposal will attract visitors, particularly during Pride and community events, contributing to a vibrant and active city centre,” the planning documents state.
“The proposal will host regular events and programs that generate ongoing foot traffic … [and] reinforces the City Centre as an inclusive, progressive and diverse destination, strengthening its identity as a centre for cultural and social engagement.”
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