Mobility parking petition makes progress
In February of 2022, Katikati resident Claire Dale presented a petition to parliament. The petition called for parking infringement fines to be substantially increased for those parking in a mobility space without a placard, and linked to CPI so the fine can keep pace with inflation. She also campaigned for car parks in shopping centres, supermarkets, and the like to have the same fines and the same enforcement standards as publicly owned property such as roads, public buildings, libraries, etc. An educational campaign so the public understands the rules was also included in the petition.
The petition took 20 months to go through the select committee process, during which time the issues were examined along with possible solutions.
68% of offending takes place in private car parks (supermarkets, shopping centres, etc) where enforcement isn’t standardised to the fine for abusing mobility parking spaces on public property. Several different government departments were involved: NZ Police, Office of Disability Issues, Department of Transport. Age Concern wrote to the select committee twice. CCS Disability Action had significant input and was able to cite studies they had done over many years showing the level of mobility parking abuse and the locations where it happens.
In November 2023, the select committee released a
final report that made the following recommendations: Firstly, the fine for illegal parking in mobility parking spaces should be significantly increased and indexed to inflation. Next, to review current mobility parking requirements and research future needs with the aim of ensuring that appropriate numbers of mobility parks are available.
Further, to consider support for road controlling authorities to develop technology for enforcing mobility parking; to work with private sector car park operators to develop a code of practice for enforcing mobility parking. Also, to consider whether the technology that is being developed for enforcing mobility parking in public parks could also be used by owners of private car parks. Finally to undertake a public education campaign to improve public understanding of mobility parking and to encourage drivers to obey the rules about mobility parks.
The select committee also recommended that a special debate be held in Parliament on the issues raised in this petition.
On Thursday 21st March, parliament had this special debate. Twelve members of parliament spoke, and everyone understood the issues. At the end of the debate, there was a motion to further the petition.
It was carried unanimously, which means better enforcement and a substantially larger fine are on their way.
Claire says, “After four years of battle, it was a surprising but delightful outcome. Better enforcement and a bigger fine are now a matter of time as we go through the process of appropriately writing the law.”