By ANEEKA SIMONIS
SINGLE men will be charged more to take part in a swingers party alleged to be operating illegally in a residential street in Pakenham.
New details surrounding the alleged venue indicate men aged between 21 and 55 will be charged $80 to enter the sex party, while single women are invited take part at no charge.
Last week, the Gazette unearthed allegations of a Pakenham home being illegally charged out to swingers.
The news is believed to have come from a disgruntled neighbour who issued a letter to fellow residents, blowing the lid off a suspected sex house.
The letter, which urged residents to contact council to investigate and shut down the alleged swingers operation, claimed the parties are up and in full swing each Friday and Saturday night – and warned of the potential risk the alleged activity may have on nearby residents.
“There is no security at the door and sooner or later the wrong element is going to be attracted to these parties and then who knows what may happen … this is certainly not the kind of thing that should be going on in a suburban area and in a narrow, quiet street,” read the anonymous letter dated Thursday, 2 July.
Cardinia Shire Council confirmed they were investigating the alleged use of the residential property, believed to be operating as a business without permits.
When asked about the potential penalties associated with operating an unregistered business in a residential area, council would not reveal further details as they worked to investigate the claims.
“Council is aware of the alleged use of this property, and is currently investigating the matter,” said Council’s Manager for Development and Compliance Services Brett Jackson.
Though the Gazette does not understand how long the house has allegedly been available to swinging couples, charged $30, and singles – it is understood that they are asked to keep their nightly visits under wraps.
A website, which lists interior images of the suspected sex house, asks swingers to arrive and leave in a “quiet, respectful manner” and park in a separate street.
Despite the intended subtly, the operators aren’t fooling some, with the anonymous letter addressed to neighbours claiming increases in traffic are often experienced in the area during the ‘on’ nights.
“You may have noticed an increase in cars and pedestrian traffic (at the street of the alleged party venue) on Friday and Saturday nights from around 9pm until 2am,” the letter read.
The website lists a number of available rooms including a king size Balinese room, queen size “play room” and DVD viewing room.
Only English-speaking swingers will be admitted to the alleged venue, which has imposed age limits.
The alleged use of the Pakenham property was put to Gazette readers last week, with a majority of people questioning the need for a council investigation.
“What people do in their own homes is no-one’s business,” a Gazette Facebook comment read.
The Gazette intends to understand the findings of the council investigation once it is complete.
