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A support worker has voiced concerns about the lack of parking for disability services at Launceston Leisure and Aquatic Centre, with some services forced to taxi clients there.
However, the City of Launceston council says it is up to standard.
Samantha Carsley has been a disability support worker for about nine years and said the biggest issue was the centre's parking, with services often left waiting for someone to leave an accessible spot or having to cancel the visit.
She said she knew of at least one organisation who taxied clients to the centre because of the parking situation.
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"The parking is atrocious," she said.
"We obviously go up in [12-seater mini] vans and to park in a normal spot in a car park is very difficult because it's narrow and there's just not a lot of room as far as manoeuvring a larger vehicle.
"It's not just the organisation I work for, most disability organisations in Launceston access that pool and have the same problem.
"It's often a talking point in the pool of a morning with other support workers."
Ms Carsley said before COVID-19 her organisation visited the pool four times a week and would encounter the problem often. Parking concerns were raised after the council proposed a $35,000 sign for the centre.
Council chief executive Michael Stretton said parking spaces at the facility, including the four accessible bays, met relevant standards.
"We work hard to ensure the centre is accessible for all, but we understand demand for parking is sometimes high during peak periods," he said.
"There are spaces for larger vehicles directly outside the facility on High Street and overflow parking at the Windmill Hill Community Hall. There are designated areas for vehicles to turn within the centre's car park, as well as a drop-off zone."
Ms Carsley said workers had raised the parking issues with the centre's front desk and was well known in the industry. She suggested a solution would be if the council opened up the boom-gate car park off High Street for disability services.
Mr Stretton said the council was always open to discussing concerns and working collaboratively to find solutions.
"While we may not be able to accommodate all requests and while we're constrained by the physical limitations of the site, such discussions may help guide future planning for the facility," he said.
Ms Carsley said the four disabled spots were taken most of the time and parking time restrictions were also a concern.
Support organisations have a permit allowing an extra 30 minutes of parking at the centre, allowing two hours.
"That's only valid if you're in an accessible car spot.
"It works in theory but if you can't get one of those disability car parks...you could be fined," she said.
"You might have two or three people in a wheelchair who need full assistance to get changed either side of their session in the pool, it can be very pushed for time."
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