L-R: Catherine Marion of Noranda, Tony Santoro of Morley and Cr Elli Petersen-Pik (City of Bayswater), seen here with a car blocking a footpath. Photo: David Baylis
Camera IconL-R: Catherine Marion of Noranda, Tony Santoro of Morley and Cr Elli Petersen-Pik (City of Bayswater), seen here with a car blocking a footpath. Photo: David Baylis Credit: Supplied/Supplied

City of Bayswater to increase enforcement and public awareness of cars parked on footpaths

Kristie LimEastern Reporter

AN increase in cars illegally parked on footpaths and pedestrian crossings has prompted the City of Bayswater to improve enforcements and community awareness.

The City’s Community Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee, consisting of chairman Councillor Elli Petersen-Pik, three councillors and residents gave recommendations to the council.

Recommendations include continued education through social media, face-to-face and events, targeted campaigns, on-going patrols, increased parking officers and infringements.

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At last month’s council meeting, councillors requested the City look into improving the effectiveness of its enforcement of the by-law forbidding parked cars from obstructing footpaths.

L-R: Cr Elli Petersen-Pik (City of Bayswater), Tony Santoro of Morley and Catherine Marion of Noranda, seen here with a car blocking a footpath.
Camera IconL-R: Cr Elli Petersen-Pik (City of Bayswater), Tony Santoro of Morley and Catherine Marion of Noranda, seen here with a car blocking a footpath. Credit: Supplied/David Baylis

The City will take action to increase community awareness through its online newsletter, Facebook and newspaper notices.

Chief executive Andrew Brien said there had been 5172 parking infringements issued between July 2016 and July 2018, of which 7 per cent (407 infringements) were issued for vehicles parked on footpaths or pedestrian crossings.

“The City is committed to ensuring our footpaths remain safe and accessible for people of all ages and abilities,” he said.

“Fines of $100 may be issued for vehicles parked on footpaths or pedestrian crossings (in line with the City of Bayswater Parking and Parking Facilities Local Law 2016).”

Committee member and Noranda resident Catherine Marion, who uses a wheelchair, said the issue worsened with an increase in subdivided properties in residential streets.

Fellow member and Morley resident Tony Santoro, who is visually impaired, said it was an on-going issue for everyone, not just people with prams, wheelchairs and disabilities.

“(Drivers) aim to go for the driveway but they just stop on the verge or the crossover which obstructs the footpath,” he said.

“For me not being able to see and I have to go down on the road, I can’t see a car coming unless I can hear it.

“We need to teach people not to park.”

Mr Santoro urged people to call the rangers once they saw a car parked on a footpath.

How to make a report to the City

– Call Rangers and Security Services on 9272 0972 or 1300 360 333.

– Provide the location (house number, street, park/reserve name, suburb)

– Description of the problem (e.g. car parked over footpath)

– Description of the vehicle (colour, make, model)