General News
15 August, 2023
Group unmoved on parking
Wimmera Mobility Group members are sceptical of Horsham Rural City Council’s (HRCC) promise to amend accessible parking spaces. At a recent meeting, group secretary Elaine Cooper advised members of council’s plan to enlarge and increase the...
Wimmera Mobility Group members are sceptical of Horsham Rural City Council’s (HRCC) promise to amend accessible parking spaces.
At a recent meeting, group secretary Elaine Cooper advised members of council’s plan to enlarge and increase the number of spaces and asked for suggestions.
After hearing council’s views, the members’ reaction was not particularly positive.
“The response was 'When? How long? Do they really mean it?' ” chair Beryl Moloney said.
“It's taken so long. We need large parking spaces close enough to the parking meters within the reach of the person parking.”
HRCC director of communities and place Kevin O’Brien said council was dedicated to ensuring everyone had equal access to municipal facilities.
“Accessibility is one of the four key themes of the 2041 Community Vision,” Mr O'Brien said.
“There’s a need to improve the current disability parking bays in Horsham so that they all comply with Australian Standards.
“We're completing a full audit of the existing disability parking spaces in, and in some cases outside of, the central activity district.
“Once the audit is completed council will deliver a costing analysis of works required to upgrade the parking spaces.
“The works will not be completed immediately; it is a project that will be delivered over a number of years.”
Fourteen of Wimmera Mobility Group's 15 members met at the Horsham RSL.
Aside from parking, matters discussed included the group's decision to exhibit again at the Seniors Expo in October.
“We're exhibiting to make people aware that we're available if they need assistance,” Ms Cooper said.
The Seniors Expo is scheduled to be held on Wednesday October 4 as part of Seniors Month.
The meeting's guest speaker, Lois Miatke, spoke about her early childhood in Woorak and her travels abroad, recalling many humorous events.
Wimmera Mobility Group was founded more than a decade ago to encourage the safe use of gophers.
Members meet monthly to support each other and to make themselves available to aid other disabled people.
The group happily welcomes new members who need help using any mobility aid to keep themselves safe, including gophers, wheelchairs, walking frames and sticks.