Massage parlour win for fraudster

Convicted fraudster Bon Levi has won a legal fight allowing him to operate a "therapeutic massage" service in Innaloo, overturning a City of Stirling decision to reject the controversial business.

The council twice refused Mr Levi's bid to change the use of the Muriel Avenue premises from a "shop" to "therapeutic massage" because it believed it would have an adverse impact on the local amenity, cause parking problems and it "was not in line with orderly and proper planning".

The owner appealed to the State Administrative Tribunal, and in reasons published yesterday, tribunal member Maurice Spillane granted Mr Levi a 12-month approval with conditions.

Mr Levi said the business was "genuine", it did not involve any sexual services and having masseuses in bikinis or lingerie was a marketing tool.