By LAURA WAKELY
SELFISH drivers were fined nearly $100,000 for illegally taking disabled parking spaces in Brimbank last year.
Brimbank City Council issued 809 fines last year to drivers who used disabled parking bays without permits (Parking payments, 24 January, Star).
But the $98,698 worth of fines was far less than those paid in neighbouring Maribyrnong City Council, where able-bodied drivers racked up more than $120,000 with 1043 fines.
Wyndham City Council drivers were issued 309 fines while 281 were issued by Hobsons Bay Council. Brimbank Council has just 270 disabled-parking bays across the municipality, 27 of which are time restrictive.
Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) spokesperson John Kelly said access services and facilities is something most able-bodied people take for granted.
“When people use allocated parking spaces who don’t need them, they are denying access to somebody who may already face significant barriers to being able to do important things like visit the shops or get to their doctor,” Mr Kelly said.
“Some people with disabilities spend very large amounts of money on vehicle modifications to allow them to drive, others may be driven by family or friends, but still require a wheelchair space to get out of the vehicle.
“It is important to remember that these spots are reserved for people who need to be able to access services and live their lives like everyone else.”
Brimbank’s General Manager of City Development Stephen Sully said council receives several letters and phone calls each year from people unable to access disabled parking because spaces have been taken by drivers without a permit.
“One of the biggest problems when trying to crack down on the misuse of disabled parking permits is that the state legislation requires parking officers to issue fines in person,” Mr Sully said.
“This means a ranger had to wait for a driver to return to their car before they could move in and issue a fine.”
He said the 809 able-bodied drivers fined last year were “misusing” the disabled spaces.
“Council reminds able-bodied drivers not to abuse disabled parking permits by denying legitimate permit holders the chance to use the spaces,” he said.
