Oakleigh Central criticised for personal information requirement

A SHOPPING centre in Oakleigh is being accused of playing ‘Big Brother’ by recording the personal details of people using disabled parking.

AN OAKLEIGH shopping centre is being accused of playing ‘Big Brother’ by recording the personal details of people using disabled parking.

Jane Glover said anyone using disabled parking at Oakleigh Central has to register, handing over their name, address, permit number and vehicle registration, make, model and colour.

“This is just to park in a shopping centre,” Ms Glover said.

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“I am not asked for that much information when I enter a secure facility.

“Our privacy is being completely eroded.”

Combined with the technology used for ticketless parking, where cameras recognise licence plates to determine how long cars have been in the carpark, Ms Glover said it was “a corporate takeover of our community”.

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“It is a corporate invasion into our private, personal lives,” she said.

“It makes Cambridge Analytica look like child’s play.”

Oakleigh Central centre manager Anna Hickling said the information was needed to ensure disability permit holders did not pay for parking.

The new registration requirement came into effect when ticketless parking was introduced at Oakleigh Central. Photo: Daniel Pockett

“We respect the privacy of our customers, and details of how we handle their privacy when they register for the ticketless parking service are provided to customers,” she said.

Ms Glover also criticised the timing of the introduction of the new parking system and questioned the need for halving the amount of free time for parking from three hours to 90 minutes.

Centre management said it was to prevent commuters from parking there.

“I’ve been a customer at Oakleigh Central for 15 years and my mother for 30,” Ms Glover said.

“I have never not found a carpark except at Christmas and Easter. It is rubbish.”

Ms Glover said she could not afford to pay $10 for three hours parking weekly after it had been free, forcing her to shop elsewhere or walk to Oakleigh.

“They are trying to force me into a contract with Vicinity Centres, but I am not a customer of them — I am a customer of the retailers,” she said.

“I feel the customers can’t (fight) — only by removing their custom.”