In August, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston and Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced increased penalties for the misuse of mobility parking, the adjustment of parking infringement fees to allow for inflation, and updating towage and impoundment fees.
The changes take effect from October 1.
At a Gore District Council meeting on Tuesday, a report tabled by council regulatory services manager Frances Shepherd outlined the new charges.
During discussion on the report, Mr Bell said the council provided the parking spaces, employed staff to monitor parking and collected the fees, yet the fines were ‘‘imposed by central government who have not updated their rules in 20 years’’.
‘‘I find it bizarre that’s not something that’s within our jurisdiction that we can actually set what’s best for our community.
Cr Andy Fraser said as a father of a daughter with a disability he thought the increase of the fine from $150 to $750 for those who parked in an area designated disabled parking was ‘‘ridiculous’’.
Cr Glenys Dickson said she was concerned about older people who did not park correctly. Some of the fines were up 150%, which was not inflation adjusted.
‘‘It’s been pushed upon us once again by central government.’’
Mrs Shephard said council staff tended to take an ‘‘educational approach’’ to those people, particularly the elderly, who had not parked correctly.
It was likely people misused mobility parking in supermarket carparks more so than on the street, Mrs Shepherd said.
Cr Joe Stringer asked if the council rejected the proposed increase in fines, could it adopt a parking bylaw.
Corporate general manager Lornae Straith said the council did not have the authority to override statutory regulations imposed by government.
