Below is the Motion on Notice I have submitted for consideration at the Lane Cove Council meeting on Monday 21st June 2021:

Executive Summary

This motion seeks Council support to change the current Schedule of Parking Offences in NSW to allow disabled passengers of taxi or share ride services to be picked up or dropped off in designated disabled parking spaces, without penalty to the driver, provided they are registered users of the Mobility Parking Scheme and in possession of a permit.  

Discussion

Over the last month I have received feedback from local residents in Lane Cove regarding the inability of a taxi or Share Ride to pick-up or drop-off a fare paying passenger in a disabled persons parking space or area.

Based on the schedule of NSW Parking Offences, standing or stopping in a disabled personas parking space or area can result in a fine up $581 and one demerit point.

Source: https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/documents/roads/safety-rules/demerits-parking.  

Residents have explained to me that disabled persons parking spaces are often located in close proximity to their departure point or destination point. The inability of a taxi or share ride services to stop or stand in a disabled persons parking space can cause significant challenge and difficulty for a person who does not have independent mobility.

This motion seeks to bring this matter to the attention of the NSW Government and Local Government NSW to consider and implement an exemption to these parking offences for taxi’s or share rides if the fare paying passenger is in possession of a Mobility Parking Scheme Permit.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:-

1)         Support change to the schedule of parking offences in NSW to permit a taxi or share ride

            to pick-up or drop-off a fare paying passenger in a disabled persons parking space or area

            who is in possession of Mobility Parking Scheme Permit.

2)         Write to the following Ministers and Shadow Ministers seeking their support for this change:-

-           NSW Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services – Alister Henskens

-           NSW Minister for Transport and Roads – Andrew Constance

-           Shadow Minister for Disability Inclusion - Kate Washington

-           NSW Shadow Minister for Roads – John Graham

3)         The motion be lodged with Local Government NSW for the Annual Conference.