Whittlesea Mayor Kris Pavlidis slammed for parking in disabled spot at Mill Park Library event

A MELBOURNE mayor has come under fire for parking in a designated handicap spot while attending a function for people with disabilities in Mill Park.

Whittlesea Mayor Kris Pavlidis’ car parked in a disabled parking spot in Mill Park.

NEW Whittlesea Mayor Kris Pavlidis has come under fire for parking in a designated disabled spot while attending the launch of a new cafe for people with intellectual disabilities.

The mayor’s black Holden Calais was snapped in the designated space while she was inside Mill Park Library for the grand opening of Chancez Café last Friday.

The new cafe offers employment and training to people with an intellectual disability.

Whittlesea Mayor Kris Pavlidis.

It’s understood Cr Pavlidis was directed to park in the spot by Yarra Plenty Regional Library staff that were managing traffic for the duration of the event.

Mill Park Library Branch Manager Serena Bellotti made the decision to designate the space for a “VIP” rather than keep it available for people with disabilities.

“Parking was prioritised for people with disabilities and speakers and the mayor was directed to park in a disabled car space,” she said.

“Other disabled car park spots were also available and YPRL staff was there to ensure the mayor’s car could be moved if it needed to be.”

YPRL spokeswoman Marieclaire Baird said there were other parking spaces not designated for people with disabilities set aside for the event but none were reserved for the mayor.

She also said there was no back-up spot for Cr Pavlidis if her car had to be moved.

“We would’ve had to move her car far away if we had to move her but we didn’t have to after all,” she said.

Ms Baird, responding to a question asking why it wouldn’t have been easier to allocate Cr Pavlidis a non-designated spot, said it was predetermined Cr Pavlidis, as a “VIP”, would be allowed to park in the handicap spot.

“Because of the nature of the event it was predetermined the mayor would be allowed to park in the spot normally designated for people with disabilities,” Ms Baird said.

However, Disability Justice Advocacy Executive Officer Trevor Carroll slammed both the YPRL and Cr Pavlidis calling the situation “utterly disappointing”.

“I don’t buy it, they’re in damage control, how could anyone place the mayor higher in importance to someone with a disability,” Mr Carroll said.

“If it is true, then what the YPRL has done is illegal as only people with permits are allowed to park in handicap spots.

“The mayor has no excuse she should’ve refused to park there and if there wasn’t anywhere else to park then someone should’ve dropped her at the front and moved her car immediately.

“It’s not a good look for someone in her position who also claims to be an advocate for social justice, she should know better.

“The Whittlesea Council aims to educate the community on which spots are for people with disabilities so to have a mayor park in the wrong spot, for whatever reason, sends a mixed message to the community.”

Leader News asked Whittlesea Council if the mayor would be fined in retrospect and if it was legal for library staff to authorise able-bodied people to use disabled parking spots.

The council declined to comment.

Late on Monday Cr Pavlidis apologised for her actions.

“I am disappointed that I didn’t follow my instinct not to park where I was directed to,’’ she told Leader News.

“Library staff have reassured me that my error of judgment didn’t inconvenience someone that genuinely needed the spot. Nevertheless I do apologise for parking there and although the fine of $159 can’t be issued in retrospect, I will be donating $200 to Chancez Café to support the work of this wonderful initiative.”

Yarra Plenty Regional Library chief executive Di Shaw said staff were responding to the increase in demand for the duration of the event.

“Care was taken to ensure that parking was available for people with a disability.”

She said the decision to use a disabled parking spot for the mayor was made by staff and this was not authorised by her.

“We apologise for this mistake and any embarrassment we have caused the mayor. In future staff will ensure all disabled spots will remain allocated as signposted,” Ms Shaw said.

During her maiden speech as mayor delivered earlier this month, Cr Pavlidis highlighted the need to ensure people with disabilities were given equal opportunity in the community.

Cr Pavlidis is also listed as being an “advocate for social justice” on the Whittlesea Council website.