Queensland ensures a ‘fair go’ for disability parking permit holders under a new national scheme

The Queensland Government has ensured permanent disability parking permit holders will keep their privileges under a new national scheme.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said the new scheme will deliver one nationally recognised permit and greater benefits including longer time limits in regulated parking areas.

The Queensland Government has worked closely with the Commonwealth to ensure disabled permit holders who meet the national criteria will not be disadvantaged.

“Our priority has been to ensure permanent permit holders are recognised under the new system and that it is as fair as possible.

“The national scheme will focus on those who are severely restricted in their ability to walk and deliver one set of eligibility criteria across all states.

“It will also give greater benefits to permit holders by allowing longer time limits in regulated parking areas,” she said.

The introduction of the new national scheme will unify over 100 different disability parking schemes across Australia.

Queensland currently has a two tier scheme - blue permits for people with a severe impediment to their ability to walk and red permits for people with a lesser impediment.

“We have ensured that blue permit holders will automatically be issued with a new national permit,” Ms Nolan said.

“Permanent (five year) red permit holders will receive a letter about the changes and letting them know their entitlements have been protected in Queensland.

“They will be entitled to keep their red current permits, provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

“All temporary red permit holders will be able to reapply for the national permit when their current one expires.

“If they meet the national eligibility criteria then they will be granted a new national permit.

“With the induction of the new national scheme, red permits will only be recognised within Queensland after 31 March 2011”, she said.

Additional benefits under the new scheme include longer time limits in regulated parking areas in government controlled paid parking and for on-street metered parking.

National permit holders can also use any off-street parking spaces available in shopping centres and hospitals displaying the International Symbol of Access.

All existing blue permit holders should destroy their old permits as soon as they receive their new Australian permit.

From 31 March 2011, red permit holders will not be able to access parking concessions outside Queensland and no new red permit applications will be considered.

More information can be found at www.disabilityparking.gov.au

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