Submissions to the Queenstown Lakes District Council's draft brothel bylaw closed on Monday, with 54 submissions in opposition and four in favour.
The modified bylaw was recommended for Queenstown and Wanaka because the current bylaw could breach the Prostitution Reform Act 2003, which legalised commercial sex.
QLDC spokeswoman Meaghan Miller said the submissions were being processed and the final figure was provisional.
"What I can tell you is 54 submissions stood in opposition and four stood in favour," she said.
The final eight submissions were still being processed.
In the submissions summary available for viewing yesterday afternoon, 46 stood in opposition, one stood in support and three were not disclosed.
Ms Miller said a hearing date had not yet been set.
In regard to the total figures, she said:"It is not a poll. Some good points have been raised, both for and against, that will need to be weighted accordingly."
The existing bylaw bans brothels within 100m of homes, schools, preschools, churches, community facilities or reserves and is opposed by conservative lobby group Family First NZ.
Many submissions echoed that group's submission, sometimes verbatim.
Of the addresses disclosed, submissions were received from Dunedin, Invercargill, Mosgiel, Hikurangi, Arrowtown, Manukau City, Cromwell, Queenstown, Wanaka, Auckland, Tauranga, Papakura and Hamilton.
Points of view
In a QLDC summary of the submissions given to the Otago Daily Times the following comments were made from both sides of the argument:
In favour or not stated
• N.J. Mcewing: "Suggesting a brothel be located in an industrial area in Frankton ... Is occurring anyway so put a brothel in an area away from families and children, and safe for users."
• Joe Vescio: "Suggests amendments to the bylaw concerning, location, time limited consent, safety and security, and plan and management."
• Bonnie Miller Perry: "Council must conform to and uphold laws of NZ. Should not be held hostage by small lobby groups."
• Lydia Freeland: "Gathered signatures to get a referendum about support or non-support of Prostitution Reform Act. Gives examples of negative impacts."
In opposition
• Blair Donkin: "Degrading influences of sex industry business shouldn't be in an area enjoyed by tourists and locals."
• Jenny Begg-Gardyne: "Brothels have strong association with gangs, alcohol and drug use and disruption to communities."
• Chris O'Brien: "Our most pristine tourist town does not need moral pollution of brothels."
• Lavinia Sorenson: "Maintain existing bylaw as change would promote cheapened and seedy image."
