LOCAL courts will be given the power to cut off the electricity, gas and water supplies to illegal brothels, under tough new measures announced by the NSW Government yesterday.

Premier Morris Iemma said councils, courts and government agencies would be given tougher powers to close down illegal brothels, including giving local courts the power to issue interim orders to cut off the utilities of suspected illegal brothels.

The measures would be introduced if the Government was re-elected in March, Mr Iemma said.

“Illegal brothels can destroy amenity of a residential area, intimidate residents and families, put our children at risk and are a magnet for other types of crime,” Mr Iemma said.

“That’s why we’ll increase powers and target illegal brothel operators who attempt to circumvent criminal laws and planning regulations, and those who show disregard for the community’s expectation that illegal brothels be identified, raided and shut down.

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