Parking is a problem on Tuckey Street since the Medicare office moved into the Centrelink building.
Camera IconParking is a problem on Tuckey Street since the Medicare office moved into the Centrelink building. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Mandurah: parking issues on Tuckey Street cause angst

Rachel FennerMandurah Coastal Times

Cars line both sides of the street and it is an accident waiting to happen, according to one resident.

The woman, who did not want to be named, lives across the street from the Centrelink office.

She said she struggled to back out of her driveway most weekdays because of cars parked on both sides of the street.

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“The parking inspectors are here up to seven times a day sometimes,” she said.

“There’s a lot of confusion around where people can park.

“Elderly people or people on a disability pension also can’t be expected to walk to Centrelink all the way from the carparks in the centre of town.”

Department of Human Services general manager Hank Jongen said there were ample parking options at the Mandurah branch.

He said there were no plans to increase parking at the service centre.

When the Coastal Times visited the centre there were less than 40 spaces, all of them full.

City of Mandurah chief executive Mark Newman said drivers should use nearby parking, including the carpark at Mewburn Centre.

According to Google maps, the Mewburn Centre parking lot is 1.9km away from the service centre and a more than 20 minute walk.

The latest statistics from Centrelink show more than 13,000 people are on the age pension in Mandurah and 2815 people on the disability support pension. More than a quarter of Mandurah residents receive some sort of Centrelink benefit.

Mr Jongen encouraged people to use Centrelink’s mobile services and apps.

He said customers could claim their Medicare rebate directly from their doctor’s surgery.

Mr Newman said the City was aware of parking congestion and illegal parking on Tuckey Street.

“Our parking officers work to educate drivers on appropriate parking behaviours and locations however, for the safety of pedestrians and road users, infringements are issued when required,” he said.

“There may be opportunities in conjunction with the land owner to improve parking availability, particularly for those with mobility issues.”

The City of Mandurah issues about 300 parking infringements on Tuckey Street everyyear.

The City also issues 243 written cautions and numerous verbal cautions.

Mr Jongen said questions about enforcement of local parking restrictions should be addressed to the City.“We are aware some customers raised concerns about car parking following the relocation of Medicare to the current site in 2014, however we have received no complaints about car parking within the past eighteen months following the initial transition period,” he said.

“We certainly take community feedback on board, and we would encourage anyone experiencing issues with car parking to talk to us about their concerns.”