Audit Of Accessible Parking Provision In Noosa Shire

Karen Finzel41:03

Yes, thank you through the Chair. Thank you, Councillor Lorentson, for bringing this to attention. First question is through the staff, for the staff. Has an audit of these accessible parking across the Shire already being undertaken? I was of the understanding that has been done. Can I please get some information on that?

Amelia Lorentson33:50

I'd like to move the motion that Council request the CEO to prepare a report outlining the scope and cost of investigating and audit of all Council owned accessible parking spaces. For people the disabilities. With a disability within the Noosa Shire local government area to be considered by councils as part of future budget deliberations.

Amelia Lorentson34:23

As Noosa's population continues to age and our community becomes more aware of inclusive design, there's an increasing expectation that mobility infrastructure, particularly accessible parking, is not just compliant but generally fit for purpose. Accessible parking plays a vital role in ensuring people with disability, older residents and those with temporary long-term mobility challenges can participate fully and safely in community life. While the national construction code mandates one accessible parking per 100 standard spaces, compliance with this minimum requirement does not necessarily ensure equitable, safe or adequate access. In practice, many locations such as healthcare facilities, community Council-run facilities like the aquatic centre, the Cooroy Library, The J and Leisure Centre and retail precincts may require significantly more mobility parking than the national construction code baseline to accommodate actual user needs. Current feedback from residents highlights practical challenges with the design placement and availability of accessible parking bays across the Shire from the hinterland to the Coast. These include bays that lack sufficient clearance for wheelchair access, are poorly positioned relative kerb ramps or entries, or are consistently occupied in high demand locations. An audit would allow Council to assess not only whether the number and placement of accessible bays meets legislative requirements, but also whether it aligns with the real world experiences and expectations of our community, consulting with users will provide valuable insights into their experience and needs, consulting ensuring that the audit reflects the actual requirements of those who rely on accessible parking. Ensuring The audit would also inform strategic planning for future upgrades and investments, ensuring that mobility infrastructure is placed where it's most needed and designed to a standard. That reflects both dignity and safety. In 2021, 5.6% of Noosa's population, more than 3,000 people, were identified as requiring assistance with core daily activities due to disability. Our median age of 50 is significantly higher than the national average, and in some areas, like in our hinterland, more than one in four residents are over the age of 65. These demographic indicators underscore the importance of. A proactive, needs-based approach to mobility planning. This motion's not about ticking boxes. Accessibility isn't a box to check. It's an opportunity for us as Councillors to change lives. Small improvements. Aren't just technical fixes. They can be the difference between exclusion and independence, the difference between frustration and dignity. As Councillors, we have the opportunity to make Noosa accessible to everyone. By prioritising voices with lived experience, we can create solutions that truly meet the needs of our community. And the best part is that it just takes doing our job a little bit better with the right insight and commitment. I'm going to. I've got quite a few letters of references across the Shire. I'm just going to highlight a couple of the letters that were submitted in support of the motion. One was from a mother who has a son who is a Noosa resident, both are Noosa residents, and her son is a teacher at a local secondary school. He is a wheelchair. And I'm just quoting. He is a wheelchair user who uses a modified vehicle to drive to work and to all other amenities and attractions Noosa offers. Besides providing essential. His car gives him independence and a certain level of freedom that is important to him and his young family. Unfortunately, that freedom is too often curtailed by the lack of adequate and safe parking. For instance, what should be a relaxing morning at the beach frequently turns out to be frustrating instead because all the wheelchair accessible parking spaces are occupied. It is not possible for my son to use an ordinary parking space because there's not enough space to open the car door wide enough to allow for wheelchair access. Parking in some of the wheelchair accessible spaces around the junction too involve unacceptable risk for him because insufficient space has been allocated as a driver he is forced to get out of the car and transfer into his wheelchair in the road. The consequences of this clearly pose an unacceptable hazard for all who may be involved in an accident. The above are just two of. Many examples. Another letter was the mother of a 10-year-old daughter who uses a wheelchair daily. She says that for families like mine, accessible parking is not a luxury. It's an essential part of being been able to leave the house, attend school or therapy, participate in community events or simply go to school.

Amelia Lorentson39:56

Too often we're met with parking bays that are poorly designed, inadequately sized or positioned in ways that make safe access impossible. In some cases we've had to turn around and go home. This motion recognises what we experience every day, that meeting the minimum legal standards does not guarantee real accessibility. Finally I'll just mention something written by Dane cross who's the CEO of sporting wheelies and spinal life Australia. He too is also a resident in the Shire. He says that an audit of existing accessible parking provisions combined with consultation with end users will provide Council with a clear evidence based picture of current gaps and future priorities. Will enable targeted improvements that reflect Noosa's demographic profile supporting inclusive planning and demonstrate Council's leadership in access and inclusion. Thank you, Councillor Wilson.

Amelia Lorentson43:46

I will. Just to address a couple of things that have been raised in the form of questions. I've been meeting with hinterland residents for some time over the last, over the term of this. The last 12 months during this term. One incident, and this is probably what provoked me to bring this motion. Two things provoked me. In my last term, about three, four years ago, I made a similar request from the ex-CEO, Scott. Walters, and also with our current CEO, Larry Sengstock, for an audit of accessible parking. For those who know me, this is an area of deep interest for myself. Access and inclusion is a commitment that I made when I put my hand up for hearing counsel. The audit was done, but unfortunately, it was only done in the Hastings Street precinct. It was not done across the Shire, nor in the hinterland. I met with a resident about two months ago, and she was late for a meeting with me. We were sitting at the viper café, and she kept sending me messages. She was about 25, 30 minutes late. And I knew that was unusual, because she's really, really just diligent. She eventually came to viper restaurant, and I asked what happened. And she said all the accessibility parking spaces were occupied, and that she had to drive in a circle, and a circle, almost drove back home. I then walked her back to her car space. It took us about 10 minutes from coffee shop to get to her car spaces. That is not okay. And that's why I'm standing here. I've since had so many people from Pomona. I was at the Cooroy scon thyme just recently. I got stopped by so many elderly residents at Cooroy scon thyme, many who live in Pomona, who also express the need for fit for purpose accessibility spaces. In terms of audit whether it's already been done, need to also reiterate that there is a process with notified motions. Need to be approved by the CEO. Then goes to the directors and ensures that the notified motions notified motion hasn't already been raised. So I'm expecting due process, so questions raised today again perhaps challenge the integrity of that process and that's a separate discussion. In terms of conclusion, conducting an audit of accessible car parts is not just a procedural task. Again, it's an opportunity for us to change lives. It's an opportunity for us to plan for infrastructure that is fit for purpose. That's informed by lived experiences of people with disabilities and those who care for them. In Noosa, we have an ageing population and many residents live with disability or mobility change challenges. Access is funding. Fundamental. It affects whether someone can attend appointments, enjoy public spaces, go to a local coffee shop, support local businesses, and most importantly, feel part of their community. People with disabilities are not limited. The limitations lie in the environments we design and the barriers we fail to remove. Inaccessible infrastructure, not ability is what excludes people. If we're committed to building a community for all then we must start with access. An audit is a practical necessary step to identify gaps and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate fully in the life of our Shire. Because true inclusion doesn't happen by accident, it happens by design. And I know you can feel the passion in my voice because this is really important. I've been part of the seahorse NIFA program for 14 years. I advocated for the beach mat, spent the last six months getting a wheelchair, allowing people with disabilities to have access into the ocean. I fight, for these inclusions and I will continue because everyone deserves access to every places.