Adult shop backs proposed laws

8th January 2009

OWNERS of Davey Avenue Adult Shop are in favour of proposed new regulations that will stop adult stores opening near schools.

Under the guidelines, new adult stores will be banned from opening within 200 metres of schools and churches.

Store co-owner Roly Jackson said a lot of controversy and lost sleep could have been avoided if the regulations were in place when his store opened in May.

“The more laws that are passed to make it black and white (the better),” he said.

The ban comes after a state wide review into the location of adult shops.

It was carried out after some community members expressed concern over the Proserpine adult shop and a store near a youth park on the Gold Coast.

Mr Jackson said he was surprised to see regulations stemming from the opening of his business.

“It's all a bit bewildering,” he said.

“But I'm all for it.”

Mr Jackson said despite initial controversy, Whitsunday residents had been very supportive of the business.

“We've had a lot of people come into the shop that wouldn't necessarily have,” he said.

“We've had absolutely no trouble.”

Acting Premier Paul Lucas said the new state provisions would be drafted by March.

He said community members would be given the chance to comment on the draft regulations before they were finalised and councils would be able to modify them.

“This is about giving local communities choice,” he said.

Existing adult stores will not be affected.