WARRNAMBOOL City Council will review the number of parking spots for people with disabilities and how they are used.
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Last month the council tabled a petition with 200 signatures from Warrnambool resident Sheryl Murray, who called for the creation of more disabled parking spots in the CBD.
At Monday’s monthly meeting councillor Peter Hulin moved the motion and it passed unanimously.
“Disabled car parking in any city is of vital importance to elderly people or those that don’t have mobility,” he said.
“I am consistently being asked for disabled car parking in certain parts of town.”
Councillor Rob Askew seconded the motion, saying the recommendation was “quite valid”.
He noted some of the disabled parks were not compliant with current Australian standards.
“As the CBD changes some of the parks might be better in other positions,” Cr Askew said.
Councillor Peter Sycopoulis thanked Ms Murray for submitting the petition.
“It’s imperative we work on this and get it right,” he said.
“It needs addressing and it couldn’t come any quicker.”
Councillor Brian Kelson also welcomed the review.
“I would like to see more disabled parking and thought given to them,” he said.
Cr Hulin asked if it was worthwhile for council to educate people around the use of disabled parks.
“I’m consistently seeing people who are very sound of body using the parks,” he said.
“Most people would consider they are for people with a physical disability.”
Mrs Murray told The Standard in May she had a mobility issue and was seeking more disabled parks after having difficulty accessing services in the city centre.
“I bank at the Bendigo Bank and there is no disabled park to get there easily,” she said.
“I had to park on Timor Street and it took me an hour to walk up.
“I spoke to a parking officer and asked if something could be done.
“The parking is just not suitable, it’s not in places where people with disabilities need access to.”
There are 64 disabled car parks in the city centre and more than 1400 disabled parking permits.
Council will conduct an internal review and develop a report to be presented later in the year.