A Growing Concern Over Accessible Parking at Bunnings
A concerned customer has raised awareness about a significant issue at the Bunnings Croydon store in Melbourne, highlighting problems with the accessible parking spaces for people with disabilities. The store currently has 13 designated parking bays for disabled individuals, but four of these are over 75 metres away from the entrance and located up a steep ramp. This has sparked frustration among those who believe that such arrangements are not only inconvenient but also discriminatory.
The individual, who does not have a disability themselves but works in the industry, emphasized the difficulty faced by people with disabilities in accessing the store. They pointed out that while able-bodied customers can park close to the entrance on flat ground, those with disabilities are often forced to park further away, sometimes requiring them to navigate steep inclines.
According to Australian Standards, accessible parking should be within 50 meters of an entrance point, or if this is impractical, within 100 meters with a rest point at the halfway mark. However, the current layout at Bunnings Croydon seems to fall short of these guidelines. The customer expressed concern that this might be a breach of the disability discrimination act.
Bunnings’ Response and Industry Criticisms
Bunnings responded to the concerns by stating that the placement of their 13 accessible parking spaces ensures safe entry and exit for customers near multiple store entrances. They also mentioned that the store has six more spaces than required by the Building Code of Australia. Despite this, critics argue that the layout still poses challenges for those with disabilities.
Suzanne Gearing, CEO of Physical Disability Australia, expressed that she was not surprised by the issue, as poor accessible parking layouts are common. She described the Bunnings Croydon car park as a particularly extreme example of poor planning. Gearing emphasized that while it’s not just Bunnings that needs to be criticized, the situation highlights the need for better accessibility in public spaces.
Gearing suggested that non-disabled parking spaces near the entrance could be converted into larger accessible bays. She pointed out that this would require minimal effort, such as repainting the lines, and stressed that there is no reason why this cannot be done.
Broader Issues in Retail Accessibility
Bunnings is not the only retailer facing criticism over accessible parking. Woolworths has also been accused of inadequate parking spaces for people with disabilities. In 2023, a customer reported a “messed up” car park layout at a South Australian store, where only three to four out of 14 spaces were designated for disabled drivers. Woolworths responded by stating plans to add more accessible parking spaces closer to the entrance.
Gearing is urging major Australian retailers to take responsibility for discriminatory infrastructure and implement inclusive policies across all their stores. She believes that accessibility should be a standard process, ensuring that shopping aisles are wide enough and that proper accessible parking is available.
Historical Context and Regulatory Changes
Yahoo News understands that the Bunnings Croydon car park received council approval when it was installed in 2009. Yarra Ranges planning director Kath McClusky noted that while the layout may have met the standards at the time, these standards have since been updated to provide clearer guidance on the proximity of accessible parking.
McClusky added that changes to the design would need to be initiated by the property owner. She also highlighted that the standards for accessible parking are set by the Australian Standard and Building Act 1993, and there is no requirement for consultation.
