Consent denied for Prostitutes’ Collective base
Plans by the New Zealand Prostitutes’ Collective (NZPC) to set up a new base in a residential property in Christchurch’s Manchester St have been scuppered.
A resource consent application to create a community welfare facility at 413 Manchester St, on the city side of Bealey Ave, has been declined by independent commissioner Ken Lawn.
NZPC, which is based in Waltham, wanted to re-establish itself within the central city and provide a facility that was accessible for both clients and the local community. The base would be open 34 hours a week, mostly during normal business hours and would provide sexual health services including a weekly clinic for testing, treatment, counselling and distribution of safer sex products.
The property is 300 metres from the Purchas St intersection where residents have clashed with sex workers and called for bylaws to prevent prostitutes from working in residential areas.
In a decision released this week, Lawn said the application was inconsistent and possibly contrary to the rules surrounding nonresidential activities within the residential central city zone.
‘‘I am not convinced that the proposal will provide any focus on, or benefit to, the residents living in the residential area.’’
He said it was also marginal whether the activity was small scale and compatible with residential activities.
Lawn made the decision despite concluding any adverse effects of the facility operating at the site would be minor.
NZPC national co-ordinator Catherine Healy said she was disappointed with the outcome but respected the commissioner’s decision.
She said it was unlikely the NZPC would appeal the decision because it did not want to set up where it was not wanted.