Gated streets in Darlinghurst could be introduced as part of proposed street prostitution control strategies. The controversial proposal would close sections of Liverpool, Bourke, Forbes, Burton, and Palmer Streets.

The proposal by the East Sydney Neighbourhood Association (ESNA) aims to reduce problems associated with street prostitution such as kerb-crawling, drug dealing, late-night noise, street fights and defecation on private property. Street prostitution is illegal in residential streets and near schools.

Under the plan the main access points to Darlinghurst’s streets would be blocked to traffic by barricades or gates. Residents would still have access via other less well-known roads.

The proposal comes two years after the Anglican girls school SCEGGS convinced council to trial closures. Since 2002, sections of Forbes Street, Forbes Lane, St Peters Lane and Yurong Lane have been either blocked off permanently or with gates which are opened during school hours.

A spokesperson for ESNA said "he hopes more closures will not only push the prostitutes away from Darlinghurst and into the commercial areas of Kings Cross, but also redirect traffic to make the area more resident-friendly".
However, Maria McMahon, executive officer of the Sex Workers Outreach Project, said road closures simply won't solve the problem of street prostitution. "Each barrier that's been put up has simply created a displacement effect. That's not an outcome that makes sense for anyone", she told The Sydney Morning Herald.

Norman Thompson, co-convenor of the Darlinghurst Residents Action Group, agreed. "It won't solve anything. It will just push the sex workers somewhere else, probably to places not as safe for them. It may drive the whole industry underground, which would make it hard for outreach workers to contact them."

Clover Moore said the closures would be a short-term solution to the problem of illegal prostitution. "What we need to do long-term is identify an area where it can be legal", she told radio station 2GB. "We have to find an area where we can contain it and minimise its impact on the rest of the community."

Superintendent Dave Darcy told the 'Sydney Star Observer' the best place for sex workers would be on William Street, so police could concentrate support and safety services on that area.

DRAG suggests that City Council organise a workshop for all concerned individuals to go through the issues and attempt to come up with more enlightened solutions.

This was to take place after the 2002 street closures, but for some reason it never occurred.

Thanks to 'Sydney Star Observer', 17 June 2004.