While a group opposing Risque Adult Boutique’s move to Railway Street intensifies its campaign, the mayor and general manager both conceded council’s hands would be tied if a development application for a brothel was received.

No illegal brothels currently operate in Griffith, but a number of prostitutes do service the area.

“A brothel would be permissible under state planning law, but we’d still have to look at school routes and other considerations,” council boss Peter Brooks said.

“It would need to be assessed like any other business that wanted to open.”

Mr Brooks said under the law, a brothel could open both in a commercial or industrial zone.

It’s a scenario that doesn’t sit well with Risque objectors, still reeling over council’s decision to allow the R-rated store to open 50 metres from a kids’ play centre.

The group is set to make a last-ditch protest to State Planning Minister Frank Sartor in a bid to modify the planning laws and keep Risque out of the CBD. “I don’t think people realise how serious this is. Imagine a brothel in our main street,” objector Maria Cocilova said.

“If we don’t try and change the law it could lead to something far worse down the track.

“Having a brothel in Banna Avenue would be a very sad day for Griffith.”

But mayor Dino Zappacosta said public sentiment counted for little when councillors were assessing some DAs. “If someone wanted to set up a brothel our hands would be tied,” he said.