The council has received “numerous” complaints about the alleged brothel operating from a house on the Oxley Hwy.

The house also is close to a preschool and a church.

After an investigation by the council, an order was issued against the owners to cease operating as an allegedly illegal brothel.

Following further investigation, the council believed the business was continuing to operate illegally.

Court attendance notices were served on the two property owners of a business on the Oxley Hwy, Port Macquarie, trading as Bella’s Beautiful Escorts.

The court attendance notices, citing several offences, alleged the owners were operating an illegal brothel at that location, had undertaken unauthorised building works, failed to comply with an order served in February this year to cease using the premises as a brothel, and had obstructed a council officer in the course of investigating the complaints.

Council development and environmental compliance manager Tim Atherton said the council’s planning requirements restricted where a brothel could operate.

“The restrictions are designed to prevent them from operating in residential areas and in close proximity to community facilities, such as schools, childcare centres and churches,” he said.

“The council will not tolerate this type of illegal activity and breaches of the kind we are alleging are not acceptable,” Mr Atherton said.

The matter has been listed for mention in Port Macquarie Local Court on November 23.

Attempts by the Port News to contact the owners yesterday were unsuccessful.