THE Mount Gambier Marketplace has unveiled its first senior-designated parking spaces during yesterday’s Seniors Day celebrations.
A total of eight spaces are located across the centre’s main entrances and lead directly to pedestrian crossings.
Although there is no legal restriction, younger shoppers are encouraged to leave them free out of courtesy.
Regular shopper Joy Naera praised centre management for its forward-thinking.
“I was so pleased to see this the other day,” she said.
“There are nowhere near enough wheelchair spaces up at the Woolworths end.
“Lots of times I have to drop my husband off at the door and then go and find a park.”
However, the initiative has been divisive, with many, including Ethan Humphries, voicing their opinions via The Border Watch’s social media channels.
“Being elderly is not a disability – if anything we should be encouraging them to do more, to fight the increase in preventable diseases,” he said.
“A principle in aged care, or any care really is do not do something for someone who can do it for themselves – you are robbing them of an opportunity to help themselves.
“A good solution for being less agile and being slow is exercise.
“If they cannot walk for whatever reason, they are eligible for a disability permit.”
With claims parking space is limited around the region’s shopping hubs, concerns were also raised about availability of disability spaces in addition to general parking.
Mount Gambier resident Cindy Dyer-Feast spoke out about the city’s lack of disability-friendly spaces particularly around the central business district.
“There are not enough disabled parking spaces around this city,” she said.
“You have a handful at each supermarket – the Marketplace and (Mount Gambier) Central have a fraction more.
“The one that was out the front of the old post office has gone and there is not one near the Commonwealth (Bank) at all now.
“There is one park in front of SAL Real Estate, one park is at the rego office, one next to the Cave Gardens and Jen’s Hotel and only one down the side street next to Cashzone – along the main street there are none.
“How are those who are unable to walk distances, or are wheelchair reliant, able to park and shop anywhere near the main street shopping precinct when they cannot get a special park?
“Unlike the big cities, Mount Gambier is lacking – and even more so when able bodied people take these parks.”
Marketplace marketing manager Paula Creasey said she hoped motorists would use the spaces appropriately.
“We do get people who do not necessarily need to park in a pram park doing that anyway,” she said.
“The community generally has the common courtesy to only use the parks they need.
“I think people understand seniors do not always need a disabled park but are not as mobile as other customers so this gives them a little more accessibility.”
After attending yesterday’s event, senior citizen Coral Enderl applauded the innovative spaces.
“I think the demand is there and with retirement villages close by, the Marketplace is somewhere a lot of seniors go regularly,” she said.
“Although not all seniors are in need of a disability park, some do find it hard to walk longer distances so having designated parks close to the entrance is a brilliant idea.
“With the population in Mount Gambier ageing, I would love to see more of these senior designated parks around town.”
However, despite praising the Marketplace initiative, Chamber of Commerce chair Hayley Neumann did not believe short-term parking was an issue in the city.
“It is great to see that we as a community are recognising the additional needs of seniors, people with a disability and parents of young children by providing easy access parking,” she said.
“Feedback from our recent survey of members regarding the central business district showed the majority thought that short – 15 to 30 minutes – and medium – up to two hours -parking was not an issue in the central business district.
“However, long term staff parking was concerning for a majority of members.
“If this has changed and members are concerned regarding parking in the central business district or in general around their business we encourage them to contact the chamber or speak to one of our board members.”
