Disabled parkers to pay first hour in Whangarei CBD

David Seymour says some disabled people will have difficulty getting to the parking meters. Photo/Michael Cunningham

A man with motor neurone disease says the decision to charge disabled motorists for their first hour of parking in central Whangarei is miserable.

David Seymour said people with disabilities had enough struggles in life and the council was adding to them with the fee.

"The council don't do any favours by doing things like that, it just rarks people up."

Disability parking in the CBD had previously been free.

A bungle last year when disabled parking meters were installed in the CBD revealed wardens in the CBD had informally decided not to ticket mobility permit holders, despite being able too.

At the time, Whangarei District Council opted to stick with the free parking until the parking and traffic bylaw was reviewed this year.

The planning and development committee deliberated submissions on its draft of the reviewed bylaw at a meeting on Wednesday.

After discussions, it gave the go-ahead for the updated bylaw, which will take effect in mid-December.

It states that in parking areas where motorists have to pay, those using mobility parking spaces and those displaying permits in standard carparks, will have to pay for up to the first hour, but can stay parked for the maximum time.

Where there is no time limit but drivers have to pay, permit holders can stay for twice as long as they pay for.

For places with a time limit up to 120 minutes but no charge, permit holders can stay for double the specified length of time.

Seymour was disappointed by the parking charge.

"It shows very little sympathy to the people in our community who could do with a little extra help. I think it's pretty miserable on their behalf."

Seymour, who was diagnosed with MND eight months ago, said he had paid $50 plus GST for a mobility parking card from CCS Disability Action, which lasted for five years.

"What was the point of getting a mobility card if I have to pay for parking each time?"

He said parking meters were not necessarily near disabled parking spaces, and it would be difficult for some disabled people to get to the machines.

That issue was raised at the council meeting, and would be passed on to the council's infrastructure team.

Mayor Sheryl Mai wanted to encourage the use of mPark, a smartphone app to pay for parking.