Latest News• Add My News • Search Old News Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local NewsCity to crack down on illegal use of disabled parking baysCrack down on motorists illegally parking in bays which are exclusively designated for disability parking Latrobe City Council will crack down on motorists illegally parking in bays which are exclusively designated for disability parking.Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Tony Hanning, said a number of complaints had been received that a small minority of people were consistently abusing the restricted parking applying to disabled bays throughout the region, preventing people with genuine disabilities from accessing them. “Disabled parking bays are for the exclusive use of citizens with a ‘blue, category-one disability parking permit’. Disabled drivers or passengers granted these permits have had to meet strict criteria relating to a severe walking disability, which is endorsed by their GP and approved by Council,” Cr Hanning said. “Only people holding these permits, which must be displayed in the parked vehicle at the time, are allowed to use disabled bays. “Strict rules apply to the use and display of these permits. For instance, the permit can not be transferred or loaned to another person, which means if a vehicle parks in a disabled bay displaying a disabled permit, and is not carrying or picking up the permit holder, there is a breach of the permit, which could result in its forfeiture,” Cr Hanning explained. “This ensures that only people genuinely in need have legitimate access to these disabled bays. “Some citizens are under a misapprehension that they can use a disabled bay if they will only be a few minutes, need a prescription from a pharmacy, or have a recent injury. They are wrong, and are illegally using these disabled bays, preventing legitimate users from access. “Temporary permits are available for persons whom have a temporary disability, but these must be applied for and granted,” Cr Hanning said. “Latrobe City through its Disability Action Plan endeavours to ensure that the needs of all citizens, whatever their level of ability, are met. While disabled parking bays are regularly monitored by our Local Laws officers throughout the year, a special blitz will be made over the next few weeks to ensure the needs of our disabled are not being compromised. “In cracking down on the improper use of disabled bays throughout the municipality, our Local Laws officers will be especially vigilant in the next few weeks, undertaking checks of all vehicles parked in disabled bays for current disabled stickers. “Local Laws officers will be conducting spot-raids on hot-spot areas, and those drivers improperly using disabled bays will face a fine of $100. Council will not accept any excuses and will rigorously prosecute offenders,” Cr Hanning concluded. Information on disabled parking bays and permits is available from any of Latrobe City’s Citizen Service Centres, or from Council’s Local Laws officers, telephone 1300 367 700. Media Enquiries: Cr. Tony Hanning, Mayor, Latrobe City tel. 0417 373 577 Cr. Brendan Jenkins, Deputy Mayor, Latrobe City tel. 0417 374 590 Ms. Penny Holloway, Chief Executive Officer, tel. 5173 1401 or 0417 557 103 Jeremy Bein, Public Relations and Communications Officer, tel. 5173 1468 Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com
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