Learn more about improvements to disability parking in the Bundaberg CBD including rear-access parking and new spaces.
There are more than 60 car spaces in the Bundaberg CBD for people with disabilities, which exceeds the recommended ratio.
Council’s community services spokesperson, Cr Tracey McPhee, said Council has also been on the front foot in providing rear access disability parking.
“Bundaberg Regional Council have been doing some great work with implementing rear-access disability parking,” she said.
“These particular car parks are for people who have wheelchairs that come out of the back of their car.”
“There are four of those car parks in the CBD area now, and all up we have over 60 disability car parks which is above the recommended ratio of accessible parks to normal parking.”
Residents parking responsibly
Residents are doing their part too and Cr McPhee said only a small percentage of parking infringements are related to people parking in allocated disability car spaces.
“Bundy residents seem to be quite respectful and law abiding when it comes to parking in disability parks without a permit,” Cr McPhee said.
“Parking infringements for this offence represents less than three per cent of our total infringements, however it still does happen,
“I encourage residents, even if you are only planning on being two minutes, think about our residents who really do need the use of these parking spaces.”
While Council’s accessible car parks are above the recommended ratio, Council is continuing to facilitate accessible parking options, most recently at the Friendlies Medical Suites.
“After chatting with a resident who frequently visits specialists at the Friendlies Medical Suites in Crofton Street, it was brought to my attention there were no on street disability parks,” Cr McPhee said.
“I raised this with Council staff, they visited the area and came back with some options and the team were quick to solve this issue.”
“It’s important that there are accessible options out there and Council has provided a number of strategically located dedicated parking spaces to address the needs of the disabled community but it’s ever evolving and there’s always new locations where these facilities can be placed.”
New parking reforms
Since August, reforms to disability parking have seen some tougher fines introduced for drivers who illegally use disability parking spaces, increasing from $266 to $533.
Queenslanders with vision impairment are now also eligible for disability parking permits.
