A proposed 15-storey super brothel in central Auckland would lead to an explosion of sexually transmitted diseases, child sex slavery, moral bankruptcy, drug warfare and a curse on everyone in New Zealand, according to submissions to Auckland Council.

John and Michael Chow plan to build a development called the Penthouse Club, which would include a brothel and entertainment facilities, on Victoria St, opposite SkyCity. One submission said it would create a "sin precinct"

It would be built on the 552 square metre site of the former Palace Hotel, a Victorian-era heritage building which crumbled during refurbishments under the Chows' care in 2010.

Of the 200 submissions to the council on the plan, only one conditionally supported it.

The majority highlighted issues of morality, criminality and health, while a handful - including one from the Historic Places Trust - were concerned about the building's lack of heritage sensitivity.

A submission from Mary Pepping said the complex would increase sexually transmitted diseases such as "Aids, cysts, cold sores, gonorrhoea, herpes and have other undesirable effects on the community".

Another was more specific about these effects.

"How would you expect children, families and ladies to visit a place if a brothel is present? It would attract violence, drug wars and proliferate scrupulous (sic) business dealings."
 
Brett Erceg said in his submission that he had visited brothels "many times" and had sex with "many Asian ladies" so knew about the effects of such an establishment.

"I have witnessed underage Asian girls asking for work."

He said the business would only encourage that sort of activity.

"If you consent to this development you will consign some children to sex slavery," submitter Paul Francis wrote.

Magno Gull said that, as a Christian, it was one of his rights to protest this kind of activity which "undermined morals and families".

Clive and Eileen Auckram said people must think not only of their children but of their children's children.

The project would turn Victoria St into a "sin precinct" and open the floodgates for more brothels, they said.

Many submissions were identical, apparently based on a template from conservative lobby group Family First.

Joan Bernich was shocked that anyone would think of putting a brothel so close to a place of worship "and a tourist spot" such as the Sky Tower.

Associate pastor of the Otara-based Christ for Every Nation Church, Mary Paki, said a people or nation bent on doing wrong against God would also experience an escalation in crime.

The Crowsen family suggested that, from a Christian point of view, brothels were "an abomination against God".

The development would lead to a curse being cast on not only the brothel operators, but its clients, the council and the whole of New Zealand.

David Hare believed the development would put pressure on marriages by promoting "pornography and other illicit activities".

Jeremy Ruane exclaimed his shock simply.

"At the end of Federal St we have a house of God. At the other the house of sod!"
 
Submissions closed last Friday but some were still trickling in yesterday.

The council will now hold a resource consent hearing where council-appointed commissioners will consider the proposal.

The Chow brothers own a string of Wellington brothels including Ill Bordello and the Splash Club, as well as the Mermaid strip club.

- © Fairfax NZ News