Strip Club Owner Angry Over Street Closure

The owner of a local strip club has threatened legal action against Melbourne City Council and property developers who are about to demolish a former power station that would force the closure of part of Lonsdale Street, where the club is located.

According to The Age, the proposed four-month closure has angered Men's Gallery owner Peter Iwaniuk.

"I would like to know how and why the council allowed this dangerous and contentious work to proceed with such haste and secrecy, and whether any independent verification of the works has been undertaken," Iwaniuk told The Age.

Barricades would be erected in front of the strip club, affecting the club, as well as other area businesses. "They say it will only be four months, but we know how the building industry works, and it could stretch out to 12 months," Iwaniuk continued.

In addition, Iwaniuk argued that the company that now owns the building had not obtained planning permits for the removal of asbestos and other toxic materials or for the demolition of the building.

Russian corporation Soldis Capital paid $7.6 million for the former power station and is now planning a large-scale office and retail precinct for the site.

Soldis Capital spokesman Florin Burhala told The Age that the developers had satisfied all planning requirements during the decontamination of the toxic site.

"We have informed all the businesses in the surrounding area and there has been no other opposition to our plans to rejuvenate one of the city's worst eyesores," Burhala said.

Photo of Aria Giovanni courtesy of www.andrewblake.com.