Deaire Pecora

DEAIRE PECORA QUESTION 1 How exactly does the parking at Cooroy primary School meet the minimum requirements for Disability access according to Main Roads? RESPONSE FROM SHAUN WALSH DIRECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES The Cooroy Primary State School carpark is situated on state-controlled road reserve and services the adjacent state school. In accordance with the Cost Sharing Agreement between Queensland Government Transport and Main Roads and local governments, the construction and maintenance of parking areas outside of the road shoulder is normally a local government responsibility. Noosa Council confirms that it has responsibility to manage the school’s drop- off/pick-up carpark on Elm Street in these circumstances. Currently the carparking area on Elm Street contain 47 carparking spaces including one (1) existing disability carparking space. Our investigation has confirmed that the current supply of parking spaces accessible to people with disabilities meets the current national standards for a school, noting that:  Cooroy State School is a Class 9B(i) assessable building under the National Construction Code (NCC).  Table D3.5 of the NCC requires one car parking space for people with disabilities, for every 100 carparking spaces or part thereof. While the current provision of a single parking space for people with disabilities meets the national requirements, consultation by Council staff has with the school has confirmed that it desires an additional disabled car parking space to meet its needs. Accordingly, Council has initiated the process for the design and construction of an additional parking space for people with disabilities, as well as upgrading the existing space to provide an adjacent ‘shared zone’ for loading and unloading vehicles as required under current standards. QUESTION 2 Why has council allowed the parking at Primary School to not be reviewed in 31 years. How does this meet Disability equality rights? RESPONSE FROM SHAUN WALSH DIRECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES The provision of one disabled carparking space meets the accepted supply ratio. The car parking area is subject to scheduled asset inspections and remains in good condition. A more detailed assessment would be scheduled as part of any proposal to renew the asset if it was in poor condition. Following receipt of the request for an additional disability carparking space from a parent and the Cooroy State School, Council staff have undertaken a site-specific assessment for this location and have commenced design and construction process to deliver an additional disabled carparking space consistent with feedback.