RED LIGHT VALUES
SEX is for sale in Townsville but whether the time- honoured adage that sex sells applies in this case only time will tell.
Commercial property firm Ray White Townsville is marketing the freehold property for one of the city’s licensed brothels, Bluebirds on Carmel, for sale as an investment.
It is also marketing for sale or lease the former brothel site of Australian Maid, which closed about six months ago.
Both properties are in the industrial backblocks of Garbutt and have been the only two licensed brothels operating in Townsville for years.
Ray White agent Tony Parker said the fact both sites were on the market at the same time was “one of those things”.
But Townsville adult shop owner Colin Edwards said it might be a sign of increased competition by individual sex workers, particularly women coming into Australia, mainly from Asia, and cutting prices.
“This has been happening across the country for a good 18 months,” Mr Edwards said.
Queensland has 21 operating brothels, just three fewer than a decade ago.
According to Ray White, the freehold to Bluebirds on Carmel is being offered with a long- term lease and at a price which will provide investors with an annual return of about 8 per cent.
“The property offers five rooms, all with amenities and spa baths to each, and mezzanine manager’s quarters and office,” its marketing says.
The former Australian Maid brothel premises feature five fully equipped “work rooms”, secure reception, waiting area, workers quarters and breakout area and a laundry.
Mr Parker said the owners of Australian Maid had operated the brothel for 13 years and had decided to close because they wanted a break and a change of lifestyle.
He said there had been “quite a deal of interest” in the site from people looking to run a brothel.
The licensing process is rigorous and costly with application, licensing and certificate fees for a five- room brothel costing about $ 37,000.