Nowhere to park: Jacqui Innis and daughter Brandi.
Martin Kennealey        www.communitypix.com.au   d453555
Camera IconNowhere to park: Jacqui Innis and daughter Brandi. Martin Kennealey        www.communitypix.com.au d453555 Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey        www.communitypix.com.au d453555

Hocking resident fined for parking on verge at Aquamotion says City of Wanneroo showed ‘no compassion’

Laura PondWanneroo Times

HOCKING resident Jacqui Innis says a $100 fine enforced by the City of Wanneroo showed “no compassion”.

Ms Innis was fined for parking on the verge outside Wanneroo Aquamotion, where her daughter Brandi attends hydrotherapy classes three days a week.

She said the carpark was full and as Brandi was in a wheelchair it was the most suitable place.

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“It was the safest spot for me to park by far,” she said.

“Why don’t they just put a courtesy note there saying next time you’ll get a $100 fine?

“I found that (fine) was just ridiculously high.”

Ms Innis takes her daughter to the centre every Monday and said a disabled car bay had been available to her about six times in the past year.

“It’s close to full every time I go,” she said.

“Getting her between the cars is difficult.

“It’s just a safety issue.”

According to Ms Innis, the hydrotherapy classes always had the maximum 12 participants, most of whom had mobility issues.

The City’s community and place director Fiona Hodges said the centre provided three disabled parking bays, which was above the minimum required by the Building Code of Australia.

“The code requires one disabled parking bay be provided for every 50 car parking spaces for a building of this classification and there are 44 standard bays in the Aquamotion car park,” she said.

“In spite of going above and beyond the minimum requirements, the City acknowledges that there are busy periods during different times of the day.

“During these periods, alternative parking can be found in the adjacent car park at the Wanneroo Community Centre.”

Ms Innis said the alternative given was not practical for her and that more parking bays were needed.

“It’s too far and it’s a downward slope; it’s too unsafe,” she said.

“There are not adequate spaces and especially not for someone who needs a little bit more space.”

Mrs Hodges said the city would investigate Ms Innis’ appeal against her fine, which had previously been rejected.