State to review adult shop location issues

The State Government will review issues surrounding adult stores opening close to schools, Acting Premier Paul Lucas said today.

Mr Lucas said the State Government would consult with the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) regarding potential changes to planning and other regulations that may impact on the location of adult stores.

“We want to be sensible about this,” Mr Lucas said.

“These are legitimate businesses but I do understand that some communities are concerned that stores may open up too close to schools.

“I have asked the Department of Infrastructure & Planning to conduct a review of the regulations in conjunction with the Office of Fair Trading.

“The State Government will look at ways – whether through changing state policies or strengthening council planning schemes – to regulate how close to schools adult stores could be established.”

Mr Lucas said there were already strict regulations about what stores could sell and display. He said while any changes were unlikely to impact on existing stores one possible measure may include providing councils with standard planning scheme provisions.

“I’m advised that already under the Integrated Planning Act, councils have the power to amend their planning schemes to address legitimate issues relating to the location of stores.”

“But in any case, there are good reasons to look at this on a state-wide basis. That’s why I’ve asked my department to set up a working group with the Office of Fair Trading and the LGAQ to examine the issues. They will consult with other relevant State Government agencies and industry representatives.

“The State Government is currently reviewing the Integrated Planning Act and one measure being actively considered is the introduction of standardised planning schemes for councils across the state.

“This would not mean all councils would have the same planning schemes – just that they would work from a standard template. I have asked my department to specifically look at including provisions in the standardised planning schemes regarding distances between adult stores and places such as schools.”

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 0419 757 868