Out of the more than 650 car parking spaces at the Macarthur Home Centre – the site of the new Service NSW Centre at Gregory Hills – only two have been allocated as mobility parking bays for Service NSW customers, prompting the State Member for Macquarie Fields to blast the Government for its lack of foresight and compassion.
Anoulack Chanthivong MP said disabled car spaces were severely inadequate at the centre, which was now the only option other than the Service NSW Centre at Liverpool for more than 145,000 people from the Macquarie Fields and Campbelltown State electorates wishing to access a range of government services face-to-face. The Liverpool Service Centre is equally woeful with three designated mobility parking bays.
“This is another smack in the face for those with mobility issues in my electorate, who are already travelling up to 25 kilometres or more to access a basic government service following the closure of the Ingleburn Motor Registry office last December,” Mr Chanthivong said.
“Not only is it unfair, but it further marginalises some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Neither the Gregory Hills or Liverpool centre is easily accessible by public transport either, leaving many to feel neglected by a Government that should be doing more to look after the people it’s there to serve.
“What happens if you’re a disabled person who has driven more than 20 kilometres only to find both mobility car spaces occupied? These spaces aren’t timed so you’d be forced to wait for one of the parking spots to become available. My guess is that many would think this is ridiculous and insulting, then drive off.
“The Government’s new super centre at Gregory Hills didn’t pop up overnight. There was ample time to plan better and make the centre more accessible for everyone in the community, including people with disability.
“If the Baird Liberal Government had any sense – or heart – it would have provided adequate parking spaces for people with disability, particularly given that travel times have quadrupled since the closure of the motor registry offices at Ingleburn and Campbelltown.
“Our community deserves better, and I will continue to fight for our fair share,” Mr Chanthivong added.
In the suburb of Macquarie Fields alone, the 2011 Census highlighted that close to six per cent of the population needs help in their day-to-day lives due to disability. This compares with 4.4 per cent of the population for Greater Sydney.
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