The owners of a swingers club at the centre of a neighbourhood dispute have hit back at neighbours who have objected to its opening.
The two-storey building on City Road in South Melbourne, which once housed an IT company, will soon be transformed into a 200-capacity swingers club called Pineapples Lifestyle Bar.
The “adult lifestyle hangout” describes itself as “Melbourne’s premier adult playground” and plans to operate between 10am and 2am daily, offering drinks and live music.
The planned site has angered locals, who are concerned about safety issues, parking problems and how the site could affect the character of the suburb.
The club’s owners responded, saying they are creating a “boutique, inclusive, respectful and discreet venue for mature, consenting adults.”
A spokesman for the venue said it would be a “complement” to the area and the location was decided after consultation with the “lifestyle community”.
They added that guests are not allowed to pay other guests or staff for sexual acts as it is not a brothel, strip club or massage parlor.
Its classification as a sex-on-premises venue means that guests must pay an entrance fee to enter and engage in sexual activities with others.
The owners of a proposed swingers club in a building in South Melbourne (pictured) have claimed the venue will be “an addition” to the local neighbourhood.
The spokesperson said the site would “attract guests” from across Australia to visit the area and boost other local businesses.
“There are very few parallels with our target business niche,” they said. 7News.
‘This will attract guests to visit the region, creating new jobs and generating benefits for the staff we employ and other businesses in the local area.’
‘We expect people to travel from across Victoria and Australia, using local accommodation, restaurants, cafes, daytime activity centres such as South Melbourne Market and public transport, taxi services/ride-sharing services for transport.’
Visitors must purchase tickets in advance and will be screened.
Local architect Tony Baenziger led the campaign against the venue and started a petition with over 400 people signing demanding that the venue not open.
“It’s really important for people to understand that we have no problem with the business, even though it’s not my thing,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
“We just don’t want it here. It’s not the right place.”
The petition claims the location is “wholly unsuitable… given its proximity to residential areas, schools and family-owned businesses.”
Residents have protested the club’s opening because of its proximity to schools, “mom and pop” businesses and its potential effect on the character of the area.
“Despite numerous objections from local residents and business owners, the Council has granted a permit that fails to take into account the character and values of our neighbourhood and what the area should aim to achieve in the future,” the petition reads.
‘We are appealing the Council’s decision to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).’
The proposal to VCAT will also be based on potential parking issues in the surrounding areas, an “excessive” capacity of 200 people, safety concerns and a “lack of a waste management plan”.
Regarding parking issues, the spokesperson said each customer will be provided with a “map” of permitted and prohibited parking areas along with any tickets purchased.
They added that the venue will go ahead with plans to open despite the community backlash.
“We will pursue our vision of creating Melbourne’s premier adult playground, purpose-built for the growing number of mature, consenting adults who want to experience more than just a conventional lifestyle,” they said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Pineapples Lifestyle Bar for comment.
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