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Sydney looking to have less red in its red-light district

Sydney authorities launched a campaign yesterday to clean up the city's red light district, Kings Cross, by introducing more mainstream businesses amongst the district's brothels and strip joints.

Sydney Lord Mayor Lucy Turnbull said the aim was not to eliminate prostitution, which is legal in New South Wales state, but to bring back a bit of the "bohemian" flavor that once made Kings Cross one of the city's most colorful neighborhoods.

"It's taking the sleaze out without sanitizing it and without sucking the color and the life out too," Turnbull said.

Under the new policy that came into effect yesterday, sex industry establishments in Kings Cross will no longer be "clus-tered" together -- an earlier practice designed to limit the spread of prostitution.

Existing businesses can continue to operate, but no new sex-industry premises -- including brothels, sex shops and strip clubs -- will be allowed to open within 75m of each other.

"What we're saying is that in the future do not expect to get permission to operate sex premises in the area if there are other premises less than 75m away," Turnbull said.

Soaring property prices and a push for more downtown housing in Australia's biggest city have fueled pressure to clean up the district, where 16 hotels are currently being converted into residential apartments.

Turnbull insisted her government's goal was not to close down the bustling red light district.

"I don't think there will ever be a city or town which is sex-industry free, least of all Sydney, least of all Kings Cross," she said.

"[But] it's become much too intense, it's become much too aggressive, it's become much too in-your-face and we're trying to moderate that," she said.

In addition to the new zoning policy, the city plans to spend around A$30 million (US$20 million) improving roads, footpaths and community facilities in the Kings Cross area.
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