A fine for parking in a disabled space in the Byron Woolies carpark has been withdrawn by Byron Shire Council after the motorist challenged whether the signage was visible and whether council could legally patrol the area.
And while Council’s legal service co-ordinator Ralph James said, ‘It is clear that the car was parked at a designated disability car space,’ it’s at odds with the driver’s view, who told The Echo there was no signage.
‘The carpark pavement clearly had the blue wheelchair symbol,’ Mr James said.
‘A parking area for people with disabilities is a length or area of a road indicated by a people with disabilities road marking; that is, either a large blue wheelchair symbol on the pavement, signage, or both.’
Mr James said in this instance, the pavement space was clearly marked.
‘However, the fine has been withdrawn as the car was parked in the section of the Woolworths car park that is not regulated by Council and therefore cannot be enforced.’
The carpark section that Council regulates is the northern end of the Woolworths car park.
Nevertheless, Mr James says he urges everyone to park responsibly, ‘regardless of who regulates the car park, and not park in designated disabled spaces unless you have a blue NSW Mobility Parking Permit and Australian Disability Parking Permit.’
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