Brimbank Council Meeting No. 633 21 May 2024

1 of 4

12.14

Proposed Additional Accessible Parking In Front Of Brimbank Community & Civic Centre

12.14

Proposed Additional Accessible Parking in front of

Brimbank Community & Civic Centre

Directorate

Infrastructure and City Services

Director

Chris Leivers

Manager

Adrian Ashford

Attachment(s)

Nil

Purpose

To provide a report in response to the Notice of Motion adopted at the Council meeting

of 17 October 2023, seeking advice on the feasibility, costing and options for the

redesignation of the existing parking bays at the entrance to the Brimbank Community

and Civic Centre (BCCC) to accommodate an additional accessible parking bay.

Officer Recommendation

That Council:

a. Notes this report has been provided in response to a Notice of Motion

endorsed by Council in October 2023;

b. Notes the findings of the feasibility, costings and options report;

c. Endorses Option C in this report, which would retain the existing parking

bays along Hampshire Road (comprising of one accessible bay and two

short term parking bays).

Background

This report has been drafted in response to a Notice of Motion adopted at the Council

meeting of 17 October 2023.

The Brimbank Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) has been established to provide

input and advice to Council and to champion accessibility and inclusivity for people with

disability. The DAC has advocated for additional accessible parking at the entrance to the

Brimbank Community and Civic Centre (BCCC).

As part of the construction of the BCCC (opened in July 2016), three parking bays were

provided along Hampshire Road to provide short term parking (15 minutes) and

opportunities for loading and unloading.

Since the opening of the BCCC, people with a disability have raised concerns at the lack

of parking at the entrance. In November 2016, one of the car parking bays along

Hampshire Road (outside the BCCC) was converted to an accessible car parking bay and

additional accessible car parking bays were constructed outside Visy Hub.

On 12 September 2023, DAC members encountered misuse and disregard for the

existing accessible bay, creating a barrier for people with a disability wanting to enter

the building. This is an ongoing issue that has been raised at previous DAC and

Brimbank Disability Network Group meetings.

At Council’s meeting held on October 17, 2023, the following motion was moved:

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 633 21 May 2024

2 of 4

Matters for Consideration

Options

A. Convert one existing short term car parking bay to an accessible car parking bay.

This would allow for two accessible car parking bays and one short term parking

bay. To accommodate these works, modifications to the kerbing and streetscape

along Hampshire Road would be required as the parking bays would need to be

widened to comply with the Australian Standards. The existing accessible car

parking bay would also be required to be modified as it currently does not

comply with the Australian standards. The cost estimate for this option is

$85,000.

B. The existing short term parking bays (x2) are converted to accessible car parking

bays. This would require modifications to the kerbing and streetscape as the

parking bays would need to be widened to comply with the Australian

Standards. The existing accessible bay would also need to be modified as it

currently does not comply with the Australian standards. This would result in

three accessible car parking bays with no provisions for short term parking for

members of the community who are not a holder of a disabled parking permit.

The cost estimate for this option is $100,000.

C. Existing parking bays along Hampshire Road (comprising of one accessible bay

and two short term parking bays) remain as they are, with enforcement to

ensure appropriate use. The current parking conditions allow for short term

parking for members of the community to access the BCCC and library while

also providing a parking space for someone with a disability. Holders of a

disabled parking permit are permitted to park for longer periods within the

short-term parking bays. There is no additional cost for this option.

Analysis

As part of the construction of the BCCC, three parking bays were constructed along

Hampshire Road to provide short term parking opportunities for members of the

community accessing the BCCC and Library. In November 2016, one car parking bay

was converted to an accessible car parking bay to allow for parking opportunities for

people with a disability. As part of these works, additional accessible parking spaces

were also constructed outside Visy Hub.

There are currently eight accessible carparks within close proximity of the BCCC and

further accessible car parking bays in the shopping precinct. A Parking Occupancy survey

from 2019 for the Sunshine Town Centre showed that the occupancy rate for disabled

bays was 74% across the Centre.

Anecdotal evidence suggests there is high demand for short term parking in this location

and that these parks are highly valued by those accessing shops and services in the

area, including by members of the community with mobility issues that do not have a

permit to park in bays designated as disabled parking.

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 633 21 May 2024

3 of 4

Council officers have undertaken a feasibility costings and options study for the

conversion of the existing car parking bays to allow for an additional accessible car

parking bay. To ensure the accessible car parking bay is constructed in accordance with

the Australian standards, the street furniture along Hampshire Road would need to be

removed to allow for the parking bay to be widened and the pram ramps constructed.

The existing accessible car parking bay would also be required to be upgraded to the

current Australian Standards. In addition, service relocation works would be required to

accommodate the installation of the accessible car parking bays.

The cost to convert one short term car parking bay, upgrade the existing accessible car

parking bay and associated works is estimated at $85,000, resulting in two accessible

car parking bays and one short term car parking bay.

As part of the study, an alternative option was considered where the existing two short

term car parking bays are converted to accessible car parking bays. This would result in

three accessible car parking bays, limiting the car parking outside the BCCC to only

disabled parking permit holders. The cost to undertake these works is estimated at

$100,000.

The third option is for the car parking arrangement to remain as it is, which provides one

accessible car parking bay and two short term car parking bays. Note, Disabled parking

permit holders are permitted to stay for longer durations within the short-term car

parking bays.

Implementation

Given the estimated $85,000 cost of converting one short term parking bay to disabled

parking, or $100,000 to convert two short-term parking bays to accessible parking bays,

and noting there seems to be sufficient disabled parking bays in the Sunshine Town

Centre to accommodate the demand at most times, it is recommended that the existing

parking restrictions remain.

Community Engagement

Report back to the DAC and Brimbank Disability Network Group meeting with the

outcome of the Council decision.

Resource And Risk Implications

No additional resources are required.

Community:

Ongoing concerns from DCA due to lack of accessible car parking outside

the BCCC if an additional accessible car parking bay is not provided.

There are no Environmental, Financial, Regulatory or Safety impacts.

Legislation/Council Plan/Policy Context

This report supports the Council Plan 2021-2025 strategic direction and objective of:

2. Places and Spaces - Liveable and connected neighbourhoods that support

healthy and sustainable futures - A green place for all

• Liveable and Connected - Inviting and liveable spaces and facilities, connected so

people can get around.

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 633 21 May 2024

4 of 4

This report complies with the

.

Council officers contributing to the preparation and approval of this report, have no

conflicts of interests to declare.