More drivers than ever are illegally parking in spots especially marked for disability cardholders at the Pacific Werribee carpark.
Wyndham police’s Senior Constable Kellie Innes confirmed a recent spike in offences at the shopping centre’s carpark.
“Officers have been requested to actively police this,” she said.
About 6500 Wyndham residents have valid disabled parking permits.
Wyndham council has fined more than 160 drivers for illegally parking in disabled parking bays since January 1, and 835 such fines between 2010 and 2014.
People who park in a disability parking space without a valid permit can be slapped with a $148 fine.
Wyndham chief executive Kerry Thompson said most offences were detected in shopping centre carparks, at shopping strips and community centres and buildings – but the council only has the authority to fine motorists flouting the law in public carparks.
Victoria Police has authority over private carparks, including shopping centres such as Pacific Werribee.
Ms Thompson said the council took a zero tolerance approach in fining people parking illegally in disabled parking spots. “Drivers must be respectful of the reason these spaces exist in the first place and ensure they’re available for the people who really need them.”
