Party’s over: LGBTQIA+ members-only sex-on-premises venue rejected by City of Perth council

A proposal for a LGBTQIA+ exclusive sex-on-premises venue in Perth’s CBD has been rejected by the City of Perth council.

The proposed venue, above Pink Rabbit adult shop on Barrack Street, would have been a members-only club where 18+ patrons could engage in “non-judgmental” consensual sexual activity.

The venue would have also operated as a LGBTQI+ members space where people could also socialise and attend educational sessions.

Perth city council refused the development application at its meeting on Tuesday night despite planning officers having recommended it for approval.

Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds foreshadowed an alternative motion to refuse the application before the officers recommendation calling for support was voted down 3-4. Cr Catherine Lezer, Viktor Ko, Chris Patton and Mr Reynolds then voted to reject the application.

Mr 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 said 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, but 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 said.

This isn’t about who a venue serves; it’s about basic planning logic.

“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 Lezer said Barrack Street in 2026 was vastly different from the COVID recovery vacancy landscape of 2022, when the Pink Rabbit retail store was approved.

“There are now shops, cafes, restaurants, family apartments, hotels and renovated heritage buildings. And Barrack Street continues to improve. Last week the St Martins redevelopment was approved, Bon Marche arcade is being turned into short-stay accommodation, the town hall continues to be modernised, and student housing is proposed at the end of this block,” she said.

Cr Liam Gobbert, who supported the application, declared an impartiality interest as an employee of the applicant was a “personal friend” but said he had not discussed the application with them.

“Safe spaces for any historically or contemporaneously marginalised, disadvantaged, or persecuted parts of the community are a good thing,” he said.

“A private landowner seeking to provide that type of a 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.”

Cr Gobbert rejected claims the proposed venue would affect the surrounding amenity.

“This isn’t overlooking into anyone’s backyard or bedroom or pool space,” he said.

“There’s no visible light spill, no visual intrusion, no overshadowing into adjacent lots that would affect another landowner’s use.”

He said there were also no environmental, appearance or traffic impacts.

Cr Lisa Ma, who voted in support of the application, said “sex-on-premises venues aren’t exactly new or exotic”.

“They operate lawfully across Australian capital cities, always as private, membership-based clubs, and precisely because of that, that structure keeps the activity consensual, controlled, and out of the public view. Again, this proposal follows that exact model: upstairs, no signage, no street presence, members only,” she said.

“The choice tonight isn’t between a risky venue and no venue. It’s between a well-managed, consent-driven space operating in daylight, or the same need being met somewhere with none of these safeguards at all.”

During public consultation, the application drew 341 submissions, of which 290 were objections and 51 were in support.

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-judgment 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,” the applicant said.

In the floor plans, submitted with the application, there were 14 couches, a swinging chair and “position furniture” and multiple screens.

If the applicant decides to take the council’s decision to the State Administrative Tribunal for reconsideration, it is estimated to cost tens of thousands of dollars.