ILLEGAL brothels will have their electricity, water and gas cut off and face tougher penalties under a State Government crackdown on unlicensed sex workers.

The Government is introducing a range of measures to detect, prosecute and close illegal brothels operating in Sydney suburbs. The moves come after The Sunday Telegraph revealed that councils were taking the extreme measure of hiring private investigators to have sex with prostitutes to gather sufficient evidence to shut down the illegal operations.

Premier Morris Iemma said if re-elected he would give councils and government agencies more powers to target illegal operators.

"My new laws will ensure councils aren't required to hire private investigators to use illegal brothels simply to collect enough evidence that it is operating," he said.

"We will empower local courts to issue interim orders, cutting the electricity, gas and water supplies to suspected illegal brothels."

Mr Iemma said repeat offenders would also be subject to tougher fines.

"We'll also target the repeat offenders who, when caught in one location often pay their fines then relocate their filthy trade to a new suburb," he said.

Under the crackdown, councils will not need to present actual evidence of prostitution to prove a premises is operating as an illegal brothel.

Instead, the law will be clarified so fewer complaints are needed for councils to begin court proceedings.

Councils will be able to seek special interim orders demanding illegal brothels close unless the order is challenged in court within five days.

Criminal proceedings against an illegal brothel will be able to continue even if the business is sold.

A new offence will be created for failing to comply with a court order to shut down the unlicensed premises.

A task force to share intelligence on illegal brothels and local crime issues will be formed and local government agencies will be given extra enforcement roles.

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