By VANESSA CHIRCOP
ARE drivers in Hobsons Bay the most considerate parkers in the West?
A Star investigation has revealed people parking in Hobsons Bay were fined the least amount of times in the West last year for illegally parking in disabled parking spaces.
Of the 17,325 parking fines issued by Hobsons Bay City Council, only 281were to drivers parking in spaces reserved for people with a disability.
And with the never-ending parking issues plaguing the municipality this has come as a surprise to some residents.
Williamstown Chamber of Commerce President Sash Boseovski said he wasn’t sure if people were more considerate or if they just weren’t getting caught.
“Two hundred and eighty-one fines is still not acceptable,” he said. Maribyrnong City Council took the cake, fining 1043 drivers for parking in disabled spaces. Brimbank came a close second fining 809 drivers followed by Wyndham with 309.
“In comparison to Maribyrnong, 281 is a positive result but overall this is still too high,” Mr Boseovski said.
“I have never parked in a disabled space – I would never look at this as an option.
“People with disabilities should feel welcome in Hobsons Bay – these spaces are extremely important.”
Hobsons Bay Director Business and Finance Glenn O’Sullivan urged drivers to be considerate of others when they are parking.
“People with a disability need to have access to reserved parking spaces so that they too can enjoy our shopping and community assets,” he said.
And at $122 a pop – getting caught isn’t cheap.
Scope Chief Executive Jennifer Fitzgerald said for people with a disability to enjoy the same access to all that Australian life has to offer, communities need to be both welcoming and inclusive.
“Too frequently people with a disability find it difficult to find parking, as members of the community are misusing the accessible spots,” she said.
“It is really important that people with a disability who need to use accessible car parking spaces can, and that they are not being misused by other members of the community.
“It is essential for our community to understand that misusing accessible spots limits access to our community for people with a disability.”
